Postdoctoral Fellowship in Buddhist Ministry 2025-26 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Title: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Buddhist Ministry 2025-26

School: Harvard Divinity School

Department_Area: Office of Ministry Studies

Position Description: Full-time post-doctoral fellowship for the academic year 2025-26. Proposals, research projects and English-language publications utilizing both Buddhism and ministry (understood broadly as leadership, service, chaplaincy, or caregiving) as areas of focus are welcomed. They may utilize disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches from across the fields of religion, the humanities, and the social sciences. Fellows will be invited to teach either a for-credit course or non-credit lecture series related to their research topic in the spring 2025 semester.
Application deadline is February 15, 2025.

Basic Qualifications: Doctoral Degree received in hand by October 1, 2024, in a relevant field.

Research project aligns with Buddhist ministry.

Additional Qualifications: Selection criteria emphasize the quality of the applicant's research prospectus, outlining objectives and methods; its fit with the Buddhist Ministry Initiative's mission; the significance of the contribution of the proposed research to the study of Buddhist Ministry; and an agreement to produce a publishable piece of work.

Special Instructions: 1) Cover Letter & Project Description
Please give a description of your proposed research project outlining objectives and methods, in particular its focus within Buddhist Ministry. Relate your project to the general context of contemporary Buddhism, indicating its potential contribution to Buddhist ministry. Statement should not exceed 1250 words. (Note: Because the research prospectus is of central importance in evaluating applications, it should be written for this fellowship.)

2) Proposed Course Description
Please provide a title and description of the course or lecture series related to your research project, which you propose to offer. The course design should place your research in a broad context appropriate to the Divinity School. Description should not exceed one page.

3) Ministry Statement
Please describe your background in the study of Buddhism and/or the practice of religious leadership, service, or caregiving and assess the importance of a Fellowship position for your work. Statement should not exceed 750 words. Please upload this document under the header "Statement of Teaching Philosophy" when prompted in the application.

4) CV
CV should include educational background, professional history, honors and awards, languages, and any published work with full bibliographic citation, including work in progress. CV should not exceed ten pages.

5) Two Letters of Recommendation
They should comment on your academic qualifications and your ability to complete the proposed project.

Contact Information: Jonathan Makransky
Multireligious Ministries Initiative Coordinator
+1 617-496-5586

Contact Email: bmi-applications@hds.harvard.edu

Equal Opportunity Employer: HDS is an equal opportunity, affirmative-action employer, and encourages applications and nominations of women and/or ethnic minority candidates. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Minimum Number of References Required: 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 2


Supplemental Questions: Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

PI257119607

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