Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. must be completed by the starting date of the position (August 25, 2025).
• Strong command of classical Arabic
• Demonstrated ability to work outside of and across traditional disciplines

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated competence in other languages relevant to the study of early Islam, such as Hebrew, Coptic, Greek, Persian, Syriac, Ge’ez, etc.
• Teaching experience in Religious Studies and/or Islamic Studies.

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 contributions to academic service, administration, and departmental outreach for the Religious Studies and Islamic Studies programs
• Evidence of commitment to and experience creating a diverse and inclusive atmosphere within the program, department, and university.
• Strength of recommendations.

About the Department

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, Minor, and 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 interdisciplinarity rich and generative. For additional information, please see their website at https://cla.umn.edu/religious-studies.

The Religious Studies Program is affiliated with the Institute for Global Studies (IGS) in the College of Liberal Arts. IGS connects students, scholars, and communities dedicated to social justice, understanding, and transforming their globalized world. IGS offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate major and minor intended to foster innovative problem solving by providing students with a variety of methods and analytic tools. Students are encouraged to develop new perspectives that combine diverse ways of knowing the world. IGS strives to:

• Create an environment for students and scholars at the University of Minnesota to investigate the sets of interrelated processes forming today’s increasingly interdependent world.
• Provide a vibrant curriculum for students, bring together scholars from diverse disciplines, and work with the community to create partnerships examining global issues.
• Prepare students for global citizenship by offering an innovative and relevant curriculum.
• Put great minds to work on issues of global significance by supporting interdisciplinary research centers, research collaboratives, speakers’ series, and colloquia.
• Make connections across cultural, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries by providing professional development for educators and nurturing community partnerships.

About the College of Liberal Arts

Home to the arts, social science and humanities disciplines and programs, the College of Liberal Arts comprises 31 academic departments, and over 20 interdisciplinary research centers and administrative/support units. CLA has over 1300 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 (more than 40% of the undergraduate enrollment on the Twin Cities campus) and over 1400 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 their increasingly interdependent and diverse global community work for everyone. That foundational commitment begins in the CLA Constitution. CLA is committed to increasing enrollment of underrepresented and under-resourced students, diversifying their faculty across all disciplines, recruiting, and retaining a diverse staff, and promoting the expression and exploration of diverse perspectives and viewpoints—so that they all gain the background knowledge and analytical skills they need to understand and respect differences.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you’ll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. They prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also 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

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

How To Apply

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 there.

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 there.

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 28, 2024. 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 Dr. Andrea Sterk, chair of the search committee, sterk@umn.edu.

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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

About the U of M