Following a grant of the University's Research Fund, the Faculty of Theology of the K.U. Leuven invites applications for a research fellowship in the History of Church and Theology Department. It is preferred that the successful candidate will earn a doctoral degree (PhD/STD) at the K.U. Leuven, although candidates with a completed doctorate may also apply. For doctoral candidates the fellowship will be tenable for 4 years, while postdoctoral candidates will initially be hired for 2 years. Applicants should be fluent in at least one of the following languages : Dutch, English, French or German.
The successful candidate will have a broad, solid competence in Late Antique Christianity, including a thorough knowledge of patristic theology and the history of liturgy. A firm command of Latin and Greek are essential, as is the ability to combine historical and theological methodologies in interdisciplinary fashion. Candidates demonstrating a thorough knowledge of relevant literary sources will be especially attractive ; a possibly decisive factor would be previous experience in one or more of the project's research domains. Applications from candidates with an excellent graduate degree (typically M.A.) in theology or religious studies are especially welcome, and candidates with an excellent degree in related disciplines (e.g. Classics, Ancient History, Byzantine Studies) are also strongly invited to apply.
The successful candidate will work as a collaborator within a research project entitled : 'Preaching after Easter and Christian Identity. An Interdisciplinary Analysis of Greek Festal Sermons on Ascension and Pentecost (ca. 350-ca. 450 AD)'. The project's principal goal is to gain a better understanding of the processes by which Christian identity was formed liturgically, especially as evidenced by sermons preached on the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost.
The research fellow's principal focus will combine the translation and analysis of individual texts within a broader, synthetic study situating the core homiletical corpus within its late antique background, with a particular concentration on late antique homilies and identity construction. Responsibilities of the research fellow will vary : as well as serving as the research project's primary collaborator, the successful candidate will also initiate and maintain contacts with an international network of scholars, organise an international conference, teach a research-related module, and provide service to the broader research department.
The basic net salary will be approx. 1800 euros / month, although in addition the fellowship provides for social benefits (e.g., supplement for children; pension fund) and health insurance.
This fellowship provides the opportunity to participate in an enthusiastic research group within the context of a dynamic, internationally-oriented theological faculty possessing unrivalled library resources. For more information on the Faculty of Theology, its research and its complete Theology Programs in English, see the website at http://theo.kuleuven.be/page/en/
Interested candidates may informally contact the director of the research project via email : johan.leemans@theo.kuleuven.be.
Applications should consist of a letter outlining the candidate's background and motivation, a curriculum vitae including a list of publications (and/or other relevant materials if applicable), one writing sample and two letters of recommendation.
Interested candidates are asked to kindly submit the entire application via post (no electronic submissions please) to the address below.
Prof. Dr. Johan Leemans
Faculty of Theology
Charles Deberiotstraat 26 - bus 03101
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Deadline of application : 1 May 2010
Starting date : 1 September 2010 (or as soon thereafter as possible)