Assistant Professor of Buddhist Studies

About the Job
The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the Religious Studies Program invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level for the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Professorship in Buddhist Studies. The appointment will begin on August 31, 2026. The appointment will be 100% time over the 9-month academic year with a 2/2 course load at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor. Salary is competitive. This professorship was established with the support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global.

We seek a scholar of Buddhism with demonstrated competence in the field of Religious Studies. We are open to candidates whose work focuses on any era (premodern or modern) and on any geographical region (including transnational and diasporic studies of Buddhism). Possible methodological approaches and areas of specialization include, but are not limited to:

• Critical historical, comparative, literary, art-historical, or anthropological approaches, including media studies
• Interreligious encounters, negotiations, and/or dialogue
• Immigration and the role of Buddhism in diasporic groups
• The effects of nationalism, "modernization," and global communication networks on Buddhist faith communities

This will be a joint appointment between the interdepartmental Religious Studies Program and the tenure-granting department within the College of Liberal Arts that best fits the candidate's scholarship and research field. As a tenure-track faculty member, responsibilities will include executing an innovative and consistent research and publication agenda; offering courses in the study of Buddhism as well as teaching core courses in Religious Studies (e.g., Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion; Introduction to Religions of the World; and/or Theory and Methods in the Study of Religion); supervising graduate research (in Religious Studies and the tenure-granting department); creating new avenues for cross-disciplinary research at the university that include the study of Buddhism; and service to the Religious Studies Program, the tenure department, the College, and the University.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. must be completed by the starting date of the position (August 31, 2026)
• Demonstrated ability to work outside of and across traditional disciplines
• Ability to teach Buddhist Studies courses as well as core Religious Studies courses

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence in other languages relevant to the study of Buddhism (e.g., Sanskrit, Pali, classical Chinese, and/or vernacular Asian languages)
• Teaching experience in Religious Studies and Buddhist Studies

Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts are expected to maintain an active program of scholarly research or creative activity that includes publication, exhibition, or performance; develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses; advise students; and contribute service appropriate for the rank of appointment to the department, college, University, and profession.

Applicants may be interested in the Workload Principles and Guidelines for Regular Faculty in the College of Liberal Arts.

Selection Criteria:

Candidates will be evaluated according to the following:

Quality, depth, and innovation of intellectual work (in progress and published).
Relevance of research and teaching to the academic priorities of the Religious Studies program and the tenure-granting department.
Evidence of commitment to teaching and mentoring.
Demonstrated skill as an undergraduate teacher and advisor.
Potential for contributing to the study of Buddhism within and growth of the Religious Studies program on campus and in the broader diverse local communities in the Twin Cities
Potential contributions to academic service and administration
Evidence of commitment to and experience creating a diverse and inclusive atmosphere within the program, department, and university.
Strength of recommendations.

About the Religious Studies Program:

The University of Minnesota is a top-ranked research university situated in the heart of the arts- and culture-rich Twin Cities metro. The Religious Studies Program houses a Religious Studies Major and Minor, and an Islamic Studies Minor. As an interdepartmental program, core and affiliate faculty are spread throughout the University. Core and affiliate faculty engage with a wide range of critical, theoretical, historical, geographical, disciplinary, and methodological approaches, making the program interdisciplinarily rich and generative. For additional information, please see our website at https://cla.umn.edu/religious-studies.

About the College of Liberal Arts
Home to the arts, social sciences, and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts is the largest college in the University of Minnesota and comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1,300 faculty and staff spanning research, teaching, advising, outreach, and administrative functions. CLA units reside in over twenty buildings on the East Bank and West Bank of the Twin Cities campus. CLA enrolls nearly 13,000 undergraduate students, over 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus, 1,400 graduate students, and has an annual all-funds budget of $290 million.

CLA is a destination for curious, compassionate individuals who are committed to making our increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in our CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying our faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints-so that we all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills we need to understand and respect differences.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in CLA
Working in CLA
Benefits
Working at the University

Pay Range: $75,000 to $150,000depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

The following materials must be attached to your online application:

• A cover letter describing research and teaching interests
• A Curriculum Vitae
• A sample of scholarly work, not more than 40 pages (published article or dissertation chapter)
• Contact information for three referees (the search committee will request letters of recommendation for short-listed candidates.)

The application deadline is Monday, October 13, 2025. To be considered complete, an application must include the items listed above.

Selected applicants will be contacted for preliminary interviews via Zoom at a later date.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647. For further information concerning the position, please contact Professor Morgan (Paul) Rouzer, chair of the search committee, prouzer@umn.edu.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).