Assistant Professor of Religion, Tenure Track

Vassar College•Poughkeepsie, NY

2d•$96,000 - $106,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Religion at Vassar College invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in South Asian religions, to begin Fall 2027. We seek applicants whose teaching and research draw on critical approaches to gender and sexuality and whose research engages Hindu sources and practices, broadly understood. We also welcome candidates who bring critical approaches to race and caste. The successful candidate will teach courses on South Asian religions, both in South Asia and in other global contexts, and will have the opportunity to develop thematic courses in their areas of interest and specialization. They will teach and cross-list courses in Vassar’s Women, Feminist, & Queer Studies Program. The potential to contribute to other multidisciplinary programs, such as Asian Studies and Media Studies, is also of special interest. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Religious Studies or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Research methodology, time period, and regional focus are open, but candidates should be prepared to draw on a wide range of historical and contemporary sources in their teaching. We seek candidates with a commitment to exceptional and creative undergraduate teaching, and who demonstrate the potential for distinguished scholarly work. The teaching load in the first year is four courses per year, following which the load is five courses per year, or four courses plus intensive work with students which typically involves directed student research. One course per year will originate in the Women, Feminist, & Queer Studies Program, with the remaining courses housed in the Religion Department.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Religious Studies or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
Commitment to exceptional and creative undergraduate teaching.
Demonstrated potential for distinguished scholarly work.
Ability to draw on a wide range of historical and contemporary sources in teaching.

Nice To Haves

Teaching and research that draw on critical approaches to gender and sexuality.
Research that engages Hindu sources and practices, broadly understood.
Ability to bring critical approaches to race and caste.
Potential to contribute to multidisciplinary programs, such as Asian Studies and Media Studies.

Responsibilities

Teach courses on South Asian religions, both in South Asia and in other global contexts.
Develop thematic courses in their areas of interest and specialization.
Teach and cross-list courses in Vassar’s Women, Feminist, & Queer Studies Program.
Contribute to other multidisciplinary programs, such as Asian Studies and Media Studies.
Draw on a wide range of historical and contemporary sources in their teaching.
Engage in distinguished scholarly work.