Description

Blumenthal Professor of Religious Studies

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for the Blumenthal Professor of Religious Studies, a full-time, tenured faculty position to begin 16 August 2027. The appointment will be made at the associate or full professor rank.

The Blumenthal Professor of Religious Studies will serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary teaching, research, and grant activity in the field of religious studies. The teacher-scholar hired for this position will be an advocate for the study of religion and the humanities, will be familiar with experiential and engaged pedagogies, and would be cross-listing their courses with other programs and departments. The successful candidate will be trained in the academic study of religion and experienced with a range of disciplinary methods and perspectives that inform teaching and research in the field. The department is especially interested in candidates whose specialization lies in the study of critical comparative scriptures, that is, the use of historical and cultural analysis to engage religious texts and communities in order to better understand the dynamics of their functions, roles, interpretations, and receptions. 

The Blumenthal Professor will teach a 2-2 load per academic year that would entail a combination of general education courses and religious studies courses at all levels, including rotation in our undergraduate theories and methods course for departmental majors and our graduate-level methods course for master’s students in religious studies and related programs.

Requirements:

Candidates will have a Ph.D. in the academic study of religion or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
Candidates will have an exceptional record of scholarly accomplishment with significant national and/or international stature that is commensurate with a tenured appointment in religious studies.
Candidates will demonstrate interest in interdisciplinary research and teaching that fosters engagement with departments in the college and across the university.
Candidates will have a record of success in teaching, advising, and mentoring students of a wide range of backgrounds in higher education and will be familiar with experiential and engaged pedagogies that can contribute to the success of University of North Carolina at Charlotte students.
Candidates will be an advocate for the study of religion and the humanities and have a scholarly agenda with a public-facing dimension capable of attracting the interest of and engaging the Charlotte community.
No later than 11/13/2026, applicants should apply online at https://jobs.charlotte.edu (position #5853) and submit the following materials: 1) a letter of interest discussing the applicant’s professional qualifications and history regarding the five requirements and how the applicant would contribute to the department, college, and university’s research, teaching, and service mission; and 2) a curriculum vitae. Applicants selected for further consideration will be asked to send three confidential letters of recommendation to the search committee chair. Finalists will also be asked to discuss how their teaching practices engage and include all UNC-Charlotte students while eliminating barriers to learning, and how their educational approach helps increase the engagement and success of all students regardless of their entry pathway into the university. The candidate selected for this position will be subject to Criminal Background Check and will be required to submit their official transcripts of their highest degree upon hire. Hiring is subject to budget availability. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Sean McCloud, Chair, Department of Religious Studies.

Established in 1964, the Department of Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte has a long tradition of providing a multidisciplinary approach to the study of religions. We provide undergraduate and graduate instruction in the academic study of religion in a global context; conduct and publish research related to religion; and provide service that enhances public understanding of issues related to religion. The Department hosts the annual Loy H. Witherspoon Distinguished Lecture in Religious Studies, which is the oldest and most prestigious endowed lecture at UNC Charlotte. Religious Studies faculty contribute to the institutional work of the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences and the University. Our mission is to foster a critical understanding of the significance of religion in human societies and cultures. 

As the largest and most academically diverse college at UNC Charlotte, the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences (CHESS) houses 14 departments, 13 interdisciplinary programs, and 7 applied centers. We offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs with extensive honors and early-entry options. The College plays a pivotal role in delivering on the university’s goals in the areas of research excellence, student success and experience, and community engagement. Through their scholarship and teaching, the College’s 350+ faculty members seek to deepen our understanding of complex problems and lead the university in interdisciplinary collaboration.

UNC Charlotte is an R-1 university, and the only research university in North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area. As the second-largest institution in the UNC System, we transform lives, communities, and industries through accessible and affordable education, offering exemplary bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs. Our commitment to scholarship, innovation, and service drives our contributions to the ever-evolving needs of society. Through strategic partnerships and a focus on real-world applications, we prepare our graduates to excel in their careers and lead with purpose and integrity in a rapidly changing world. 

UNC Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment.

This position is subject to research-security screening. As part of the application, applicants must disclose, either in their CV or in a separate document submitted with the application, all current appointments or affiliations with foreign institutions or organizations, foreign research support, and ongoing research collaborations with foreign institutions, organizations, or their personnel. Before candidates advance to an on-campus interview, the university will review this information and other publicly available information for relationships involving institutions on the current Section 1286 list and any other applicable U.S. restricted-party lists. A disclosed or identified relationship does not automatically disqualify a candidate. As a condition of employment, a selected candidate must resolve any relationship the university determines would violate applicable law or sponsor requirements or materially impair the candidate’s or the university’s eligibility for federal funding.

Requirements

Requirements:

Candidates will have a Ph.D. in the academic study of religion or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
Candidates will have an exceptional record of scholarly accomplishment with significant national and/or international stature that is commensurate with a tenured appointment in religious studies.
Candidates will demonstrate interest in interdisciplinary research and teaching that fosters engagement with departments in the college and across the university.
Candidates will have a record of success in teaching, advising, and mentoring students of a wide range of backgrounds in higher education and will be familiar with experiential and engaged pedagogies that can contribute to the success of University of North Carolina at Charlotte students.
Candidates will be an advocate for the study of religion and the humanities and have a scholarly agenda with a public-facing dimension capable of attracting the interest of and engaging the Charlotte community.