The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out an extensive literature survey on the unintended secularizing consequences – individualization, rationalization, disciplinization – of Christian mission, especially in 18th- and 19th-century evangelical revivalism. (See project description for further details.) He or she will write a research report that may subsequently be turned into a journal article. Supervision by Prof. Stefan Paas (VU University Amsterdam) and Prof. Herman Paul (University of Groningen);

• A PhD in religious studies, theology, history, or another relevant discipline;
• Research experience in the history of Christian missions;
• Demonstrable familiarity with the historiography of Christian missions, especially in the
18th and 19th centuries;
• Proven ability to navigate independently through large amounts of literature; 
• Excellent command of English; preferably also reading skills in other relevant languages;
• Ability to pay regular visits to the Netherlands (meetings with supervisors, etc.).

Relocation to Amsterdam is not strictly necessary, though: the job can be done from elsewhere in Europe, as long as excellent library resources are available.
 
The appointment will be initially for 1 year parttime (0.5 FTE), starting 1 September 2018 (or, if the candidate prefers, a six-month full-time position, starting 1 September 2018 or shortly thereafter).
 
We offer a stimulating working environment at the Faculty of Theology (VU University Amsterdam): an ecumenical Protestant faculty committed to solid research, teaching, and service in a multi-religious context.

Information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment are for example:
• remuneration of  8,3% end-of-year bonus and  8% holiday allowance;
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties, and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.

http://www.vu.nl/en/index.asp

The Faculty of Theology is an open, dynamic and ecumenical faculty where people of various religious views (including secularists) in mutual dialogue devote themselves to high quality education and academic research as well as other associated contributions to society.  Besides offering (together with the Protestant Theological University) a BA in Theology, and BA in Religious Studies, the faculty offers masters degrees that can last one, two, or three years. The Graduate School of Theology and Religious Studies at the faculty also hosts 250 doctoral candidates. The faculty is highly international in its orientation.
 
In the context of a project entitled Individualization, Rationalization, and Disciplinization: On The Secularizing Effects of Christian Mission, funded by the Dutch church-based mission organization GZB, Prof. Stefan Paas (VU University Amsterdam) and Prof. Herman Paul (University of Groningen) are soliciting applications for a one-year half-time research position at the VU University Amsterdam (Faculty of Theology).

http://www.godgeleerdheid.vu.nl/en/index.aspx