Postdoctoral fellowship in Interdisciplinary Reformation Studies with a focus on Theology 796112

The NOVA project at the School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in interdisciplinary Reformation studies/theology with a special focus on the development of Danish sacramental practice in relation to society in Danish Lutheran confessional culture. The appointment is available from 1 April 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position
The postdoctoral position is part of the AUFF NOVA research project “Economy of reception. The relation between sacrament and sociality in Lutheran Protestant societies” and will be embedded in the research group “Reformation theology and confessional culture” (http://reformatoriskteologi.au.dk) and the LUMEN network (http://projekter.au.dk/lumen).

The position is part of a defined, but experimental collective research project. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to participate in the development of the project. The research problem is directly aimed at a possible correction of the major theses on Protestantism represented by e.g. Max Weber and Charles Taylor, which have focused on the role of the Reformed tradition. The ambition is to formulate correctives to these dominating theories by answering different but interrelated questions: 1) How does a focus on the social and economic dimension in theology and liturgy – where every participant is identified as a receiver in a radical sense – change our understanding of the role of sacraments for the Lutheran worldview? 2) How does a new understanding of the role of liturgy change our understanding of the impact of Lutheran Protestantism upon society and culture? 3) Does this give reasons for critical and academically sound corrections to the contemporary political discourse by emphasizing that the cultural heritage of Lutheranism is pluriform and much more than just a precondition for secularization? 4) Is it possible to correct the dominating theories explaining the influence of Protestantism upon society by focusing on Lutheranism? The idea is that Denmark possesses unique research material due to its long, almost mono-Lutheran confessional culture; that Lutheranism contains a “social teaching” element which is implicitly present in theology and liturgy; and that e.g. the corpus idea in the Eucharist has an impact on state building and the formation of society.

The successful applicant must have a strong academic competence in Lutheran theology and must be willing to participate in developing the field of interdisciplinary Reformation research.

We prefer applicants who are fluent in written Danish, and who have competence in the Danish liturgical tradition, and experience of international networking.

The fellowship is affiliated with the Department of Theology.

Research
We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a PhD in theology or equivalent qualifications who is interested in the role of sacramentality within a Lutheran confessional culture. In particular, we are looking for applicants who are able to do research in Danish liturgical history including liturgical practices, and to make theoretical analyses regarding the relation between sacrament participation and sociality in discussion with dominating positions regarding the impact of Protestantism. Expertise in Lutheran theology will be an asset, as well as competence in German.

The application should contain a short research proposal showing how the relevant parts of the collective project could be carried out.

It is of vital importance that the successful applicant takes part in the daily activities of the department.

Teaching
The position will involve some teaching as agreed upon with the School of Culture and Society, the Department of Theology and the project manager.

Knowledge exchange
It is expected that the successful applicant will engage in knowledge exchange as mentioned in the strategy for the Faculty of Arts, primarily in the public dissemination of knowledge. Applicants should document any prior experience within the field of knowledge exchange.

For further information about the position, please contact the project manager, associate professor Bo Kristian Holm on tel. +45 871 62453/+45 5188 9556 or by e-mail teobh@cas.au.dk.

Qualifications
Applicants must have a PhD degree or equivalent qualifications in theology or related fields. Applicants must also document:

• An internationally oriented research profile.
• A relevant publication profile.
• Experience of or interest in participation in national and international research networks.
• Experience of or interest in communication and knowledge exchange.
• Fluency in Danish or another Scandinavian language as well as mastery of academic German, at least in reading.
• Mastery of academic English in the classroom, as the successful applicant will be expected to teach courses in English.

Please upload a maximum of five samples of your scholarly output (please see below).

The application must be submitted in English.

For more information about the application, please contact HR supporter Marianne Birn, e-mail mbb@au.dk.

Department of Theology
The Department of Theology at Aarhus University is one of the largest environments for theological research in Europe and attracts a good number of internationally recognised researchers. The environment is nationally and internationally renowned for its research activities in a number of areas such as Christianity in antiquity, Reformation theology, bioethics and nanoethics, as well as the study of N.F.S. Grundtvig and K.E. Løgstrup. The department’s researchers are often involved in interdisciplinary projects and networks with researchers from other fields, including the study of religion, the humanities in general, medicine and social science.

School of Culture and Society
At the School of Culture and Society the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:

– From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
– From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
– From familiar Danish cultural forms to other very different worlds
– From local questions to global challenges.

The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education.
For a more detailed description of the school, please see http://cas.au.dk/en/

Qualification requirements

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.

Formalities

Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities (the Appointment Order).
Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Applicant Guidelines.
The application must outline the applicant’s motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and no more than five examples of academic production. Please upload this material electronically along with your application.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.

Deadline

All applications must be made online and received by:

01.02.2016
Please apply online here

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts is one of four main academic areas at Aarhus University.

The faculty contributes to Aarhus University’s research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.

With its 500 academic staff members, 260 PhD students, 12,500 BA and MA students, and 2,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.

The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society, the Danish School of Education, and the Centre for Teaching Development and Digital Media. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.
The faculty’s academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.