Assistant Professor, Philosophy & Religion

Otterbein University • Westerville, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Otterbein University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religion. The University welcomes philosophers, scholars of religion, and interdisciplinary teacher-scholars whose interests include philosophical ethics and Buddhism, Hinduism, or other religious traditions of Asia. The successful candidate will contribute to efforts to enhance diversity and create an inclusive learning environment.

The position includes a teaching load of 3–4, including courses in Applied and Theoretical Ethics, Religions of India, Buddhism, and general education courses on Asian philosophical and religious traditions. Faculty also participate in scholarship, professional development, student advising and mentorship, and service through professional and community activities. New faculty may receive a reduced instructional workload in their first year to establish a research program, and have access to ongoing professional development funding and support from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

The appointee will fill the department’s third full-time faculty position. The department has one Philosophy and Religion major and minors in Religion and Philosophy. Much of its teaching serves general education students through the Integrative Studies Program, and the department also connects with Legal Studies, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, the Honors Program, and Race and Ethnic Studies.

The appointment begins in August 2027. Otterbein University is located in Westerville, Ohio, near Columbus. The University welcomes applications from all qualified candidates and is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a relevant field of study by the start of the appointment.
• Evidence of success teaching undergraduates.
• Commitment to student-centered undergraduate teaching and to recruiting and retaining departmental majors and minors.
• Ability to excite students about the study of philosophy and religion.
• Ability to teach ethics and Asian religious traditions.
• Interest in decolonizing approaches to the study of religion and philosophy.
• Commitment to social justice-oriented approaches in the classroom.
• Teaching expertise emphasizing areas such as the critical study of race, gender, sexuality, and social location.
• Submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, a teaching portfolio (teaching statement, teaching interests, syllabi, and teaching evaluations), syllabi for introductory philosophical ethics and an Asian religious tradition course, and a diversity statement of no more than one single-spaced page addressing the specified questions.

Nice To Haves

• Interests in philosophical ethics and Buddhism, Hinduism, or other religious traditions of Asia.
• A cultural approach to the study of the religions and philosophical traditions of Asia.
• Ability to complement departmental strengths in analytic philosophy and the Abrahamic religious traditions.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 3–4 course load, including Applied and Theoretical Ethics, Religions of India, Buddhism, and general education courses on Asian philosophical and religious traditions.
• Contribute to the diversity of the curriculum and student body and support an inclusive learning environment.
• Recruit and retain Philosophy and Religion majors and minors.
• Provide student-centered undergraduate teaching and engage students in the study of philosophy and religion.
• Participate in scholarship, professional development, student advising and mentorship, and service through professional and community activities.
• Establish a research program, with a reduced instructional workload potentially available during the first year.

Benefits

• Reduced instructional workload may be available during the first year to establish a research program.
• Ongoing professional development funding and support from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree