I would like to bring to your attention a last minute position in Comparative Philosophy in Leiden University.

I copy the ad below, but what I'd like to stress is what the Academic Director of the Philosophy Institute told me, namely that--despite what the ad may say-- they are looking for someone with a "specialization in Chinese philosophy and/or Buddhism. Of course some acquaintance with so-called western philosophy would help, but is not necessary. Up till now the vacancy mostly drew historians of western philosophy with an interest in other areas. I’d rather have it the other way around." 

I, naturally, would prefer someone working on Buddhism to someone doing Chinese philosophy... but that's my personal position, and I have nothing to do with this appointment other than spreading the news (so, don't write to me about it, I can't answer any questions, sorry!).

here's the ad:

Assistant Professor in Comparative Philosophy and History of Philosophy

The Faculty of Humanities, vacancy 13-335

Leiden University Institute of Philosophy

The Leiden University Institute of Philosophy (IPh) is one of seven institutes within the Faculty of Humanities. IPh conducts research in theoretical and practical philosophy, and has recently started to develop a programme in comparative philosophy in cooperation with partners both in Leiden and overseas.

Due to new opportunities in the field IPh is seeking to fill, on short notice, the following position for its BA and MA programmes in Leiden and The Hague, to start on 1 January 2014 (negotiable but not later than 1 February 2014):

Assistant Professor in Comparative philosophy and History of Philosophy (0.5 fte)
Vacancy Number : 13-335

Duties and responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver 3 courses per year for the BA and MA in Philosophy teaching programme, and electives in the BA International Studies in The Hague.
• Conduct research in the field of Comparative Philosophy in coordination with the Chair of Comparative Philosophy and Political Thought.
• Raise research funding and participate in local and national research projects.
• Carry out administrative tasks both within and outside the department.
• Collaborate with other staff members involved in teaching and research.
• Contribute to services provided to the wider community through the university.

Your profile

• A PhD in philosophy or area relevant to comparative philosophy (including the necessary language skills) and teaching competence in history of philosophy (preferably Ancient, Medieval, and/or Early Modern Philosophy)
• Demonstrably good teaching skills and experience
• Demonstrable experience in raising external funding for research.
• Good communication skills, flexibility, and willingness to work in a team.
• An excellent command of English is highly desirable.

What we offer

An inspiring working environment in an exciting faculty consisting of seven institutes, in addition to IPh: Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS), Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Academy of Creative and Performing Arts (ACPA), History (IH), Linguistics (LUCL), and Religious Studies (LIRS). The faculty has some 4,500 students and 900 staff members, and offers 30 BA programmes and 45 MA programmes. Each year the faculty’s Graduate School awards over 50 doctorates to its students. The Institute of Philosophy is located near Leiden’s old city centre.

The appointment is for 19 hours per week (0.5 FTE) for a period of two years. Depending on performance, and on the development of teaching and research in the field, both in Leiden and The Hague, opportunities for an extension of the position in time and duration may arise. The position will be classified as that of Assistant Professor 1 or 2 in the University Job Classification (UFO), depending on the candidate’s abilities, knowledge and experience. The salary will depend on the candidate’s education and experience and be a minimum of €3,259.00 and a maximum of €5,070.00 (gross) per month on the basis of a full-time working week (in accordance with levels 11-12 of  the scale included  in the Dutch Universities’ Collective Labour Agreement).

Leiden University requires faculty members with teaching duties to have a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the successful candidate does not hold this qualification, he or she will be expected  to fulfill this requirement within a period of time to be agreed, in the event that his or her contract is extended.

More information

You can obtain further information about this vacancy by contacting Prof.dr. Frans de Haas (Academic Director IPh), by e-mail (f.a.j.de.haas@phil.leidenuniv.nl). For information about the relevant teaching programmes in Philosophy and International Studies, see:
http://www.hum.leiden.edu/education/bachelors-programmes/ba-philosophy.html
http://www.hum.leiden.edu/philosophy/students/prospectus/e-prospectus.html, http://hum.leiden.edu/international-studies/.

How to apply

If you are interested in this position, please send your application by e-mail to the secretary Mrs C.W. Sombroek, c.w.sombroek@phil.leidenuniv.nl by 2 December 2013 at the latest. Please indicate the vacancy number. Your application should be accompanied by a CV with a list of publications, a list of courses you have taught, including evaluations, and a research plan (2-3 pages), as well as the names and addresses of three references. Job interviews will take place in the first half of December 2013.

The application procedure may include a trial class lecture.

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