Tirthankar Shantinath Assistant/Associate Professor in Jain Studies
About The Position
Rice University’s School of Humanities invites applications for the Tirthankar Shantinath Professorship in Jain Studies. The position is open at the Assistant Professor rank, with the possibility of appointment at the Associate Professor level with tenure for qualified candidates. The successful candidate must qualify for appointment in one of the departments in the School of Humanities and Arts. The chairholder will be an accomplished scholar of South Asian culture, history, philosophy, or religion, with the textual language skills necessary to teach dedicated courses on Jainism and guide advanced research in the field. Areas of expertise may include applied Jainism, bioethics, medical humanities, or South Asian culture, religion, philosophy, and history. The committee also welcomes scholars whose expertise includes bioethics, science, or medical practices. Potential areas of engagement include medical ethics, clinical decision-making, end-of-life care, healthcare equity, genomic ethics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, animal welfare, and planetary health. Supported by a significant endowment, the professorship offers an opportunity to establish an innovative, interdisciplinary program connecting ancient philosophical traditions with contemporary study of ethics, religion, philosophy, and history. The chairholder will help build the emerging field of applied Jainism by exploring how Ahimsa (non-violence), Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), and Anekantavada (pluralism/non-absolutism) inform humanistic inquiry. The successful candidate will teach and develop courses, maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication, and contribute service to the department, university, and profession. Rice operates on a semester-based schedule with a 2-2 teaching load. The appointment begins July 1, 2027. Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled; materials should be submitted by November 15, 2026, for fullest consideration.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Jain Studies, South Asian Studies, or a related disciplinary field by July 1, 2027.
- Must qualify for appointment in one of the departments in Rice University’s School of Humanities and Arts.
- Accomplished scholarship in South Asian culture, history, philosophy, or religion.
- Command of the textual languages necessary to teach dedicated courses on Jainism and direct advanced research in the field.
Nice To Haves
- Potential expertise in applied Jainism, bioethics, or medical humanities.
- Expertise in South Asian culture, religion, philosophy, or history.
- Expertise in bioethics, science, or medical practices.
- Scholarly engagement with medical ethics, clinical decision-making, end-of-life care, healthcare equity, genomic ethics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, animal welfare, or planetary health.
Responsibilities
- Teach and develop courses, including dedicated courses on Jainism.
- Direct advanced research in Jain Studies.
- Establish an innovative, interdisciplinary program connecting ancient philosophical traditions with contemporary humanistic inquiry.
- Help build the emerging field of applied Jainism.
- Maintain an active program of scholarly research and publication.
- Contribute service to the department, university, and profession.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
