The Tilburg School of Catholic Theology of Tilburg University (The Netherlands) wants to engage two enthusiastic and competent PhD-researchers, one within the research program "Initiation and Mystagogy in the Christian Tradition" and one within the research program "The transformation of religion in late modernity: the case of new Catholicism". More information about these research programs and the participating faculty can be found online, on: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/research/theology/programs.htm  and underlying pages.

Your profile
For these positions we seek candidates with a (research) master's degree in Theology or a related field, and preferably the degree Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus or an equivalent degree, a strong research profile and excellent academic qualifications and writing skills. Developing and defending a research project that addresses one of the basic questions of the research program will be part of the procedure.

Candidates with a migrant background are cordially invited to apply.

Tasks

The selected candidates are expected to have completed a PhD thesis (which may be based on articles) by the end of the contract. Selected candidates are also expected to follow a postgraduate program, and to obtain not only the degree of PhD, but also the canonical degrees STL and STD.

Procedure
For the first selection round candidates are required to draw up a 1-page plan for a PhD project that fits in one of the two research programs. Candidates should first contact one of the professors, who is willing to supervise this PhD project and who will assist them in preparing their plan. After an evaluation of all applications, the best candidates will be invited to write an extensive description of their PhD project for a second selection round.

Candidates who want to write a PhD thesis on a theme in canon law may also apply.

 The selected candidates will start with a contract for one year, concluded by an assessment. Upon a positive outcome of the assessment after the first year, the candidates will be offered a contract for the remaining years (2 or 3 years, depending on the previous degrees of the candidate). Concretely, candidates with a Research Master (MPhil) will be offered an additional 2 year-contract. Candidates with a Professional Master's degree will be offered an additional 3 year-contract). The starting gross salary for a full-time appointment is € 2.222,- up to € 2.709,-  in the third year or € 2.840,- in the fourth year.

Tilburg University offers very good fringe benefits, such as a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually), an options model for terms and conditions of employment and reimbursement of moving expenses. Tilburg University provides support in finding accommodation (for foreign employees). Candidates from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a (temporary) tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf.

The start of the employment is negotiable, preferably in summer or fall 2018.

Tilburg School of Catholic Theology (TST) verricht wetenschappelijk onderwijs en onderzoek in de theologie met het oog op het doorgeven van de katholieke traditie vanuit de bronnen naar de hedendaagse cultuur en samenleving. Zij staat open voor allen die hun geloof willen verdiepen en kritisch willen doordenken. De faculteit heeft vestigingen in Utrecht en Tilburg en is een door de bisschoppen erkende instelling die onder meer studenten voorbereidt op een ambt of functie waaraan een kerkelijke goedkeuring is verbonden. De kleinschalige faculteit wordt gekenmerkt door korte lijnen en een open, ongedwongen sfeer.

Tilburg School of Catholic Theology