In order to continue attracting outstanding doctoral students who can take advantage of Notre Dame’s distinction in the study of religion, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded $657,000 to ND to support an initiative in religion across the disciplines. The funding includes generous support for incoming graduate students whose records are outstanding and who will work on religious topics in their academic disciplines. Funding will be awarded to the best students in competition across eight departments, including Sociology. Strong applicants in sociology of religion will be highly competitive for fellowships.

Support for Mellon Fellows includes continuing summer stipends, research funding, and special interdisciplinary workshops. Mellon Fellows will receive a normal graduate stipend plus four years of summer funding at $5,000 each summer. Presidential Fellows who are Mellon Fellows will receive, in addition to their already higher stipends, five summers of additional support at $3,000 per summer

Nominations for Mellon Fellowship are made by departments, based on the strength of graduate school applications. Details are available at http://rmellon.nd.edu.

In addition to its notable strengths in sociology of religion, noted above, the University of Notre Dame has centers of excellence in politics and religion, law and religion, religion and international development, religion and peace-building, literature and religion, medieval studies, religious and intellectual history, sacred music, the philosophy of religion, and other related areas. Notre Dame also has one of the best theology departments in the world.

Exceptionally strong prospective graduate students interested in the sociology of religion are encouraged to apply to the Sociology graduate program at Notre Dame and to express interest in these fellowships. Prospective applicants with questions may contact Christian Smith, chris.smith@nd.edu, or the Department of Sociology’s Director of Graduate Studies, William Carbonaro, wcarbona@nd.edu.

Location: Shanghai
Period:  August 22 to August 26, 2011
Topic: Urban Aspirations in Shanghai
Organizers: Professors WU DA, YINONG ZHANG, and PETER VAN DER VEER

TOPIC:
The Summer Institute will engage with the formation of ethnic and religious aspirations in the globalizing urban environment in Shanghai. This is not another project that surveys quantitatively urban ethnicity and religious identity. The concept of “identity” with its static connotations has had limiting effects on the study of urban transformations, somewhat similar to the concept of “kinship” in earlier studies of society. We use the concept of “aspiration” to point at the ideational character of many of the processes that effect cityscapes and urban movements. This is true for city planning, squatting, migration, gentrification, as well as the extraordinary role played by media and creative arts in mega-cities.
The focus will further be on the discussion of two concepts that are heavily employed in the social sciences: context and design. This project aims to contribute to our understanding of the urban as a context for ethnic and religious aspirations. This entails a close attention to spatial arrangements, to transport and connectivity, to housing and spaces for work and worship. This project also aims to explore the notion of design, both in terms of practices of designing buildings, streets, temples as in terms of the utopian or dystopian imaginings of ideal cities, ideal communities, and ideal relations to divine design.
The methodology needs to be unapologetically innovative and interdisciplinary, employing scholars from sociology, anthropology, urban studies, and architecture, and in the future from design academies, systems-planning, and media studies. (see for further information: www.mmg.mpg.de under project urban aspiration)

Structure of  the Summer Institute
Five days; lectures in the morning, discussions of the project proposals that have been submitted in the afternoon.

For Whom?
The Summer Institute is meant for ambitious MA and Ph.D. students in the social sciences, but also in media studies, architecture, and urban design who want to work on any research aspect of Shanghai. The purpose is to educate students, but also to select the best students for Ph.D. and Postdoctoral scholarships.  4 Ph.D. fellowships and 1 Postdoctoral fellowship will be awarded depending on the quality of the applicants at the end of the Summer Institute. Successful candidates will attend a one month workshop in Göttingen and receive a four year fellowship for Ph.Ds  or a 2 year fellowship for Postdocs. Successful Ph.D. candidates will receive their doctoral degree from Utrecht University (The Netherlands) under supervision from Professor van der Veer

The Institute will be conducted in English. Applicants will have to send a C.V., two reference letters, and show proof of their current affiliation. They have to write a five-page, double-spaced proposal for research in Shanghai in English. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE:  1 JUNE.  Selection will be made before 21 JUNE. The Summer Institute will provide free tuition and lunch for free, but lodging and transportation has to be taken care of by the students.

Applications have to be sent to: zhang@mmg.mpg.de

Informal inquiries to: Dr. Yinong Zhang yz36edu@gmail.com

The Theology Faculty of the Ernst Moritz Arndt University of Greifswald
plans by October 1st, 2011 to hire a Junior Professor for Empirical
Religious Studies. While the Junior Professor should have an independent
research profile in Religious Studies, s/he is also expected to
cooperate on a theoretical and methodological level with the other
fields of the faculty on current and planned individual and group
research projects. The teaching load is approximately four to six hours
per week per semester in the field of Empirical Religious Studies.
Teaching in English is permitted in the first year. Readiness for
cooperation in the context of existing and planned interdisciplinary
research projects on “Regional Religion” (e.g. the Baltic Sea region,
Central/Eastern Europe) and “Empirical Ethics” is desired.

Job Requirements are based on § 62, Sec. 1 of the State Higher Education
Law of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (SHE M-V): completed graduate study,
pedagogical aptitude, and exceptional ability for academic endeavors, as
typically confirmed by the completion of an outstanding dissertation.

In accordance with § 62 of the SHE M-V, Junior Professors are appointed
as temporary officers for three years. Successful fulfillment of work
duties will result in the extension of the work contract for an
additional three years.

Article 4.2 of the agreement between the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
and the Lutheran State Church of Mecklenburg and Pomerania from January
20th, 1994 (the Güstrower Accord) should also be kept in mind.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Heinrich Assel, Dean
of the Theology Faculty.

The University seeks to increase the representation of women in areas in
which they are under-represented. Therefore, applications from women are
especially welcome and will receive preference in cases of equal
qualifications, provided that there are no other outweighing qualities
in the person of the competing applicant.

Handicapped persons will receive special preference in cases of equal
professional and personal qualifications.

Application costs will not be borne by the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Applications containing the customary documents (Academic Curriculum
vitae, list of publications and courses, academic certificates, proof of
teaching experience) are to be submitted by June 2 to:

Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald
Dekan der Theologischen Fakultät, Prof. Dr. Heinrich Assel
Am Rubenowplatz 2/3, 17487 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0) 3834 86-2501
Fax: +49 (0) 3834 86-2502

• Current curriculum vita
• Statement of interest
• The statement of interest (5 double-spaced pages maximum) should include:

o The applicant’s initial ideas for research, including preliminary research questions or potential methodologies;
o An overview of the applicant’s research experience;
o The status of the applicant’s completion of doctoral requirements, including a timeline for completion if dissertation has not yet been defended; and

• Three letters of reference

Inquiries:
Questions about the fellowship or application procedures may be directed to Byron Johnson or Rodney Stark, 254-710-7555.

ISR web site

  College/Unit: Humanities and Social Sciences  

Department: History  

Position Summary

The Charles Redd Chair in Religious Studies at Utah State University is seeking a Senior Associate or Full Professor to fill the endowed Charles Redd Chair in Religious Studies, left vacant by the retirement of Prof. Charles Prebish. The person holding this chair will play a leading role in the development of the interdisciplinary Religious Studies Program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The area of specialization should be in Asian religions. An interest in diaspora religions is preferred.  

Responsibilities

In addition to contributing courses to the undergraduate curriculum appropriate to his or her particular academic specialization, the successful candidate will be prepared to offer periodic graduate courses and, occasionally, introduction to religious studies.  

Minimum Qualifications

A Ph.D. in an appropriate or related field is required. The successful candidate will also have a strong, demonstrated record of excellence in scholarship and teaching, as well as academic leadership. He or she must demonstrate strong interpersonal relational skills in brokering the diverse viewpoints of donors and participants in religious studies.

Review Date: 01-23-2011  

Position Close Date: Open Until Filled

Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits  

See http://jobs.usu.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=55661 for more information and to apply online.

Requisition Number: 052463  

Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Utah State University is an AA/EO Employer and encourages gender and ethnic diversity.

Organization Overview

The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research; analyzing news coverage; and holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues. Its work is carried out by a “Core” administrative and publishing unit and these seven projects:

• The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press (people-press.org) led by Andrew Kohut
• Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism (journalism.org) led by Tom Rosenstiel
• Pew Internet & American Life Project (pewinternet.org) led by Lee Rainie
• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life (pewforum.org) led by Luis Lugo
• Pew Hispanic Center (pewhispanic.org) led by Paul Taylor
• Pew Global Attitudes Project (pewglobal.org) led by Andrew Kohut
• Pew Social & Demographic Trends (pewsocialtrends.org) led by Paul Taylor

Pew Forum Overview

The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, launched in 2001, seeks to promote a deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs. The Pew Forum conducts surveys, demographic analyses and other social science research on important aspects of religion and public life in the U.S. and around the world. It also provides a neutral venue for discussions of timely issues through roundtables and briefings.

Position Summary

The researcher supports all aspects of the Pew Forum’s research agenda in the area of religion in the growing Latino community in the U.S. In close collaboration with the director, the researcher will assist in developing a research plan for this field. The researcher will identify and analyze data on Hispanics and religion from existing Pew Research sources and other external data sources. The researcher performs analysis of data from surveys and other sources, consults researchers and drafts reports. The researcher will also assist in fielding requests for information from the press, government officials and other Pew Forum target audiences. This position works closely with other researchers on staff and reports to the director and associate director for research of the Pew Forum. Title and level of responsibilities will be commensurate with education and experience.

Primary Responsibilities

Research design and data analysis (60%)

• In close consultation with the director, Pew Forum research staff and external advisors, develop a research plan for the study of religion in the Latino community
• Identify and analyze data on Hispanics and religion from existing Pew Research survey and demographic sources for presentation to Pew Forum audiences
• Gather and analyze other sources of data on Hispanics and religion
• Conduct meta-analyses of existing datasets
• Construct datasets and prepare tabular information
• Stay abreast of research related to Latinos and religion

Writing and Communication (30%) 

• Write in-depth analyses for research reports as well as timely news briefs
• Respond to external requests for information
• Present research findings to Pew Forum audiences

Project Planning and Management (10%)

• Allocate resources to best meet project objectives
• Map out project timelines and manage deadlines
• Set and adhere to project timelines and deliverables
• Explore opportunities for outside partnerships
• Update senior staff on progress
• Train new staff as necessary

Education/Training/Experience

• Master’s degree in the social sciences required; Ph.D. preferred
• Minimum 2-5 years experience or equivalent working as a researcher in the study of religion and/or Hispanics from a social scientific framework
• Experience using bilingual skills (English-Spanish) in a professional environment
• Proven ability to undertake rigorous research involving data is essential, including facility in using appropriate statistical packages (SAS, STATA, SPSS), Excel and other software, to organize and analyze large datasets
• Familiarity and experience with a range of statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis
• Experience in managing research projects, including working collaboratively with other researchers, is highly desirable

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Strong quantitative research skills and the ability to readily analyze large datasets
• Strong knowledge of the field of religion in the Hispanic community
• Attention to detail, including exacting standards to maintain accuracy and impartiality in all work products
• Editorial judgment and proven ability to communicate research results clearly and concisely in Pew’s style in both verbal and written form
• Skilled in project development and management
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, both English and Spanish
• Ability to balance numerous projects simultaneously
• Ability to work in a collegial, team-oriented environment

Application Procedure

Applicant should send a complete resume and cover letter (indicating where you learned of the opening) to:

Ms. April McWilliams
Human Resources Director
Pew Research Center
1615 L Street, NW Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036

Responses can also be faxed to 202-419-4339 or e-mailed to careers@pewresearch.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer.