The Department of Religious Studies at The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for a position in Maya religion in the context of Mesoamerican history and cultures at the level of tenure-track Assistant Professor or early Associate Professor with tenure. We seek a scholar whose work contributes to the discipline of Religious Studies, with a focus on questions of indigeneity and the complex interactions of religious traditions from the period before European contact to the present. The position will begin in August 2020 and salary will be commensurate with rank and experience.
This is one of three new faculty positions as part of a cluster hire in the areas of Maya archaeology, environment, and religion at The University of Texas at Austin. The cluster is part of the Cluster and Interdisciplinary Hiring Initiative, and represents a critical expansion of UT Austin’s long-existing strengths in the interdisciplinary study of Mesoamerica, a major cultural region defined by what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It will bring to UT Austin three leading researchers in Maya civilization and culture, all using different approaches to address key questions in archaeology, visual culture, history, religion, and environmental change. With these three new faculty positions we envision the development of a unique intellectual hub bridging work in the sciences and in the humanities. The three positions will be housed within existing departmental structures but will forge new and strong relationships among the Theresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies (LLILAS), the Departments of Anthropology, Geography and Environment, Religious Studies, and Art and Art History.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have aPh.D. completed by August 15, 2020, should demonstrate potential for asuccessful publishing and research trajectory, and should have a solid recordas an effective classroom teacher with a teaching philosophy that promotessuccess in the classroom. Applicants to this position should demonstrateability to teach required undergraduate and graduate courses and to teachspecialized language and content courses of their field. The successfulcandidate will be a member of the Department of Religious Studies and will alsocontribute to the work of other units on campus, such as the MesoamericaCenter, the LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, and theNative American and Indigenous Studies Program.
We expect the successful candidate to develop strong research and publishing programs; to direct dissertations, MA theses, and undergraduate honors theses; to advise students working in relevant units on campus; and to exhibit a commitment to collaboration and service to their department(s), the Center, and other appropriate units on campus. In addition to specific departmental assignments, the successful candidate will hold campus affiliations with the Mesoamerica Center, the Theresa Lozano Long Institute for Latin American Studies, and/or Anthropology, and will connect to partner programs in (for example) the Center for Archaeological and Tropical Studies (CATS), Program for Belize Archaeological Project (PfBAP), Casa Herrera, the Texas Archaeological Research Lab, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Mexican American Studies, Linguistics, History, Geography and the Environment, and/or Religious Studies. Contributions to the cluster will be an important facet of the faculty member’s annual performance evaluations and consideration for promotion/tenure.
Application Instructions
Please submit an electronic application via Interfolio, including a statement of interest (cover letter) that indicates the position to which you are applying. Deadline for applications is December 13, 2019, but applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Please include a CV, a diversity statement, a sample of recent scholarship, and a list of three references and their contact information. The University of Texas at Austin is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community, and diversity statements should describe professional skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that would contribute toward those goals.
Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Steven Friesen. You may find help with the Interfolio portal using their Customer Support, help@interfolio.com or call (877) 997-8807.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.