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Call for Applications "Buddhism and Social Justice: Doctrine, Ideology and Discrimination in Tension" Doctoral or Postdoctoral Fellow Institute for Area Studies, Leiden University Leiden (Netherlands) __________________________________________________ PHD OR POST-DOC (f/m) 38 hours a week) Buddhism and Social Justice: Doctrine, Ideology and Discrimination in Tension vacancy number: 10-192 The Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) is responsible for researchers who are active in the fields of relations with East, South and Central and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The Institute is divided into a School for Asian Studies and a School for Middle Eastern Studies. A multidisciplinary approach which comprises both the modern and the traditional periods is typical for the teaching and research within this Institute, whereby the knowledge of the source language is essential. The research of the approximately 75 staff members (including 20 professors) brings together the study of such subjects as history, law, economy, literature, religion and philology of the areas mentioned, both in the present day and in ancient times. Starting September 2011 the Leiden Institute for Area Studies has one full time (38 hrs) vacancy, available as a 4 year PhD position or 3 year Post-Doctoral fellowship, in the VICI project "Buddhism and Social Justice: Doctrine, Ideology and Discrimination in Tension," headed by Prof dr. Jonathan A. Silk. Project description Buddhism is widely perceived to be, and Buddhist sources themselves promote the tradition as, a philosophy of liberation. Yet, as perhaps everywhere, Buddhist societies, both ancient and modern, not only evidence, but indeed seem to promote, social inequalities. The project Buddhism and Social Justice explores the inner tensions in Buddhist cultures between inherited core values and social realities, with specific foci on questions of labor (e.g., slavery and forced labor, serfdom) and social status (e.g., caste and discrimination). The project as originally conceived consisted of five studies: a core investigation of slavery and caste in India, and studies on slavery in Korea, burakumin (outcastes) in Japan, serfdom and monastic economy in Tibet, and ethnicity and Buddhism in Sri Lanka. At present members of the project will study slavery and caste in India, slavery in Korea, serfdom and monastic economy in Tibet, and ethnicity and Buddhism in Bhutan. These are approached through text-historical, historical and a socio-anthropological methods. The synergy between the projects lies in the question of how Buddhist ways of thinking and acting inform and structure historically Buddhist Asian societies, and how, correspondingly, Buddhist ideologies and dogmas were transformed in historical contexts. This study seeks therefore to uncover the links between the ancient and the modern and the theoretical and the real-world, thereby leading both to a deeper appreciation of how religious systems function in societies in general, and to a more nuanced appreciation of the dynamics of historically Buddhist societies in general, particularly with respect to questions of social justice. As such, the work is situated not only within the realms of Buddhist Studies and Asian History, but also at the juncture of Religious Studies, Political Science and Anthropology, as it engages issues of Church and Society, Slavery Studies, and the study of Race, Ethnicity and Caste. The available position is for a scholar interested in investigating, from the viewpoint of Buddhist Studies, some aspect of Buddhism and Social Justice not currently covered in the project. Because the focus of the study is Buddhism, familiarity with the history, doctrine and relevant original languages of Buddhist traditions is essential. Applicants for a PhD position Tasks The writing of a PhD dissertation; publishing research results in the form of (an) article(s) and/or books; presenting papers at (international) conferences, including the final conference of the project; participation in local research meetings and PhD teaching; organizing roundtable meetings and conferences in the framework of the research project. Requirements an MA, M.Phil or equivalent degree in a relevant field; research knowledge of the language(s) necessary for the project; fluency in English (spoken and written) and competence in other relevant modern languages; ability to work independently. Post-Doctoral Fellowship applicants should have a demonstrably excellent academic track record in Buddhist Studies, and hold a PhD in Buddhist Studies or a related field, or its equivalent. They should have an excellent command of English and be prepared to present their research results in English. Applicants will teach a small number of courses on topics within their area of specialization, and assistance in guiding the PhD students. Conditions of employment The position of the Postdoctoral fellow is temporary, max. three years with a full-time appointment (38 hours per week). The position of PhD-fellow (promovendus) is temporary, max. four years with a full-time appointment, and with an initial 18-month trial period. The salary is determined in accordance with the current scales as set out in the collective labor agreement for the Dutch universities (CAO): Postdoctoral fellow: min. 2.379, max. 4.374 PhD fellow: min. 2.042 - max. 2.612 Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. Application PhD candidates please send your application (in English), including: a cover letter stating your motivation for this position, a CV copies of your academic transcripts a writing sample (such as your MA thesis), and two letters of reference. Post-doc candidates please send your application (in English), including: a cover letter stating your motivation for this position, a CV, copies of your academic transcripts, a printed copy of your PhD thesis and other relevant publications, and three letters of reference. Please send your application indicating the application number before the deadline of 30 November 2010 to: [email protected] or P&O FGW PO Box 9515 2300 RA Leiden The Netherlands Information For more information about the position please contact Prof. Dr. J.A Silk, tel. +31-71-5272510, email <[email protected]>, and see the full project description at: http://hum.leiden.edu/lias/research/sas/vici-project-silk.html __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
