Professor of Mission Studies with Ecumenics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

On the subject and the content of the position

The Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (CTR) has existed since the University’s foundation in 1668, albeit under different names. CTR offers courses in specialist areas such as the history of religions and religious behaviour science, Old and New Testament exegesis, church history, mission studies, theology and ethics. Research is conducted in all the disciplines of religious studies and theology.

CTR is part of Lund University’s wider vision to be a role model for how future knowledge is created and communicated. Similarly, CTR aims to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition through education, research and external engagement. Specifically, CTR’s goal is to use education and research to develop and impart knowledge and analytical skills about religious phenomena from the past and present in the pursuit of a fair and well-functioning society.

The professorship in mission studies with ecumenics has been made possible through several donations from the Lund Missionssällskap (LMS) to Lund University over the years.

The professorship in mission studies with ecumenics covers a broad area of research and teaching in current, historical and theological aspects of mission studies, including ecumenics with a focus on religious dialogue and theology of religion. Particular emphasis is placed on the applicant’s qualifications regarding historical and contemporary encounters between different religions and the dialogue between them, both in a European context and on other continents. The professor is also responsible for third-cycle education in global Christianity and interreligious relations.

Mission studies with ecumenics acts as an important bridge between several different disciplines at the centre, therefore CTR is looking for a professor in mission studies with ecumenics who, through their teaching and research, can connect to and become an important interlocutor for researchers and teaching staff in e.g. Islamic studies, Jewish studies, church history and systematic theology.

Duties

• Be responsible for the development of teaching, third-cycle education and research within the subject of mission studies with ecumenics. This includes: (1) own research, (2) research initiation and management, including the preparation of applications for external funding, (3) management of the research seminar and supervision of doctoral students, (4) teaching and course development at all levels, and (5) administrative tasks.
• The professor will also collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines at CTR and especially with colleagues in church history and practical theology in the field of church and mission studies, actively contribute to the internationalisation of teaching and research at CTR, and be able to take on academic leadership assignments when necessary.

It is important that the appointed professor becomes an active presence in the centre’s environment and participates in the centre’s collective activities. Mission studies with ecumenics is an international subject, however, which means travel is also part of the role.

Required qualifications

A person who has demonstrated both research and teaching expertise shall be qualified for employment as a professor. For appointment as a professor there is a requirement for training in teaching and learning in higher education amounting to at least five weeks or that equivalent knowledge has been acquired in some other way.

Further requirements for appointment are:

• A PhD or equivalent research expertise or other professional expertise of relevance to the subject matter and the duties of the position.
• The ability to be able to teach in English is essential. If the new employee does not have sufficient command of Swedish/another Scandinavian language for teaching and communication in the workplace, a professional development plan will be devised that specifies how the employee shall acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in Swedish within a specified time frame. This plan will be drawn up in consultation between the employee and their immediate manager.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as a professor shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment.

• A very high level of research, teaching, administrative and other expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post and the duties that it will involve, as well as the personal skills in general that are important for successfully carrying out the duties.
• A very high level of research qualifications including a very good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject. Demonstrated by:
  • extensive, documented research contributions and through the applicant having sustained internationally recognised activity of high quality,
  • internationally competitive publishing, demonstrating both breadth and depth,
  • documented expertise in planning, initiating, leading and developing research,
  • documented ability to obtain research grants in competition,
  • documented experience and expertise in master’s and doctoral supervision.
  • a broad international network and active participation in the national and international research community reflected, for instance, through documented experience of assignments as an expert, editor, peer reviewer (referee) or project manager, by membership in formal networks and various positions in elected office.
• A very high level of teaching expertise, which involves a very good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
  • Demonstrated through both experience of the educational activities described above and a reflective attitude to the applicant’s own teaching role.
• A good ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• A good ability to participate in and develop public engagement and other outreach activities.
• A good general ability to lead and develop activities.
  • Demonstrated through documented experience, with positive testimonials and clear results, of leading, coordinating and developing research activities and collaborating with others.

In the assessment, equal consideration is given to teaching expertise and research expertise.

Specific qualifications of additional merit in descending order:

• Experience of researching the historical and contemporary encounters between Christianity and other religions, as well as the dialogue between them, both in a European context and on other continents.
• Experience in initiating and developing strategically important research applications and obtaining external research funding.
• Experience of interdisciplinary collaboration within teaching and research.
• Experience of working in international environments and with the internationalisation of higher education and research.
• Good subject-relevant language skills aside from English.
• Experience of working in higher education and research at institutions outside Europe and North America.
• Experience of ecumenical organisations and religious dialogue. 

Instructions for the application

The application must conform to the instructions that can be downloaded at
www.ht.lu.se/en/the-faculties/academic-vacancies/instructions-for-applicants.

In addition to the documents to be attached to the application, the applicant must also attach a description of their vision for the role and how they intend to develop the subject area of mission studies with ecumenics/global Christianity and interreligious relations (max. 4 pages).

The applicant is responsible for making sure that the application is complete, in accordance with the vacancy announcement and instructions, and for submitting it to the University by the application deadline through the recruitment portal.

The Academic Appointments Board normally selects a shortlist of applicants. This selection can be done in one or several steps and if needed with the help of external experts. The applicants who are selected for external assessment may be invited to submit physical copies of the papers that they wish to submit for expert assessment within 14 days.

Conditions

The university applies individual salary setting.