postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of Engaged Buddhism

The Protestant Theological University (PThU) in conjunction with the University of Antwerp  have been awarded a Program in the Study of Mysticism (PRISM) research grant from the Templeton Religion Trust, for the project “Peace and Action: Beneficial Ripple Effects of Public Mysticism in Society”.

We are looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of Engaged Buddhism. The overall project will examine to what extent and via which events and movements mysticism has promoted, aimed at and facilitated peacebuilding via Christianity and Buddhism in the contemporary era. It will involve empirical work, examining the potential of mysticism to create a platform for interreligious dialogue. We will build an inclusive critical realist model mysticism, viewing Buddhist mysticism as Nirvana understood as ‘a way of seeing and being in the world rather than transcending it’ (interbeing) (Orzech).

Term: Two-year fixed contract.

Based in Utrecht/Antwerp.

Position

• The first year you will be based at the Protestant Theological University in the Netherlands and the second year based at the University of Antwerp in Belgium.

• You will conduct research into the beneficial effects of public mysticism in Buddhism in Europe in the contemporary era.

• You will contribute to developing and pitching a new critical realist theoretical model of mysticism and its ripple effect in terms of peacebuilding.

• You will co-organize a workshop on mysticism and peace (comparative: Buddhism and Christianity)

• You will develop and conduct a questionnaire survey of networks and communities to map public mysticism and peacebuilding in Christianity and Buddhism from the 19th century to the present in Europe.

• You will co-host an online public event to share findings with wider audience.

• You will be involved in co-authoring academic and public-facing articles.

• You will be in charge of the project weblog.

• You will present research findings at international academic conferences.

• You will assist in ongoing research projects in the PThU, and in the activities of the Sources research group, and in the University of Antwerp, and in the activities of the Ruusbroec Institute research group.

• You will help coordinate project proposals in the field of theology and history of religion and contribute to attracting external funding.

• You will participate in the provision of academic services: you will represent the research groups both internally and externally, help to coordinate service projects, etc.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in Buddhist studies preferably with an expertise in the contemporary era and Engaged Buddhism (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).

• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

• You can speak and write fluently in English and it would be an advantage if you can express yourself in Dutch and other languages.

• Previous experience with empirical research (interviews, participant observation, qualitative analysis methods, and archival research) is an advantage.

• Previous experience of data-management tools e.g. Nvivo is an advantage.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 2 years.

• The planned start is November 2025 or as soon as possible.

• In the first year, you will be employed by the PThU and you will be based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Therefore we require that you live in the Netherlands. The Collective Labour Agreement of the Universities of the Netherlands applies. Your monthly scholarship amount depends on your experience as researcher and is calculated according to scale 10 or 11 of this CLA.

• The second year you will be based in Antwerp and are being employed by Antwerp Univerity.

• Your monthly scholarship amount then is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).

• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

You can apply for this vacancy online. Click on the [Solliciteren] / [Apply] button and complete the online application form. Please include the following (2) attachments:  

• a motivation letter

• your academic CV plus a one-page outline of how you would approach the project

Application is possible until Monday, November 3th. Interviews are being planned on November 11-13th.

If you have any questions about the job, please contact Prof dr. Louise Nelstrop, Professor of Church History, lanelstrop@pthu.nl.

See also Postdoc Engaged Buddhism - Protestant Theological University

The Protestant Theological University is connected with the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN). We ask applicants that they respect the Christian values and identity of the University.