Post-doctoral researcher for the Department of Religion and Practice

The Department of Religion and Practice is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join and enrich our research.  We offer a unique opportunity to submit your own research proposal and, thereby, make your own contribution to our research agenda. What research question will you present?

Your position

Your position will be placed in the Department of Religion and Practice. The Department conducts research on church, Christianity, and religion in late modernity, focusing on possible sites of God (loci theologici). The emphasis is on religious practices with a Christian  and especially Roman Catholic  signature. Such sites may be places where one traditionally expects to encounter the religious, but the Department's research also focuses on places not immediately associated with the religious, the Christian or the Catholic.

In both categories, attention to the transformation of church, Christianity, and religion is an important focus. After all, even traditional sites of the religious are subject to change in late modernity. Among non-traditional sites, this transformation may be such that explicitly religious, let alone Christian or Catholic, dimensions are hardly recognizable or considered relevant anymore.

The Tilburg School of Catholic Theology is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to enrich our research on these processes. This can be, aligned with the interdisciplinary composition of the Department, with practical theological or religious science research or with hermeneutical or empirical methods. A combination of both approaches is possible. Your research may focus on institutional-church fields of action such as church buildings, on pastoral care in secular settings such as spiritual care, or more broadly on religious phenomena in society. Your research links to this key question: what are the characteristics and opportunities of the changing sites of the religious, especially the Christian and Catholic, in late modern society and how can one interpret these transformations scientifically?

With your application, we would like to receive a brief outline of how you would like to conduct research on this question.

Your profile

The post-doctoral researcher:

• has a PhD in a discipline of practical theology or religious studies;
• is motivated to co-write research proposals and is team science oriented;
• collaborates with a senior Religion and Practice researcher with an appropriate substantive profile;
• has international publications relevant to the position at an excellent level;
• has interest in and is willing to undertake related tasks such as providing education or organizational tasks;
• has mastered the Dutch and/or English language or is willing to master Dutch at B2 level;
• is visible on the Tilburg campus and has active input into the School and Department;
• is, in principle, appointable to a canonically recognized theological school (is an advantage).

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 0.8 - 1.0 FTE (32 - 40 hours per week).
• Salary between €4,075 and €6,433 (in scale 10) gross per month for full-time employment (Researcher 4 or 3, salary scale 10 or 11). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience. 
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 under b of the CLA DU. Candidates will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months, with prospects of an extension of another 24 months. The total duration will be a maximum of 36 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Options Model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle, or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research, or language courses.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone is welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus in Tilburg, which is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University is a Catholic University in the Netherlands with five Schools. At Tilburg University, the social sciences and humanities hold a central position. In its teaching and research, our university actively seeks to engage with society, with citizens and civil society organizations. 'Understanding Society' is our motto. Internationally, Tilburg University has a strong reputation in academic education and research and fosters interdisciplinary research, with a particular emphasis on the theme of 'broad prosperity'.

About the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology (TST)  

The School of Catholic Theology (TST) provides academic education and conducts research in theology with a view to connecting the Catholic tradition with contemporary culture and society. TST has two research Departments: one on Religion in Practice and one on Texts in Contexts. The School is located in Tilburg and Utrecht, and is accredited by the Holy See, allowing it to confer canonical degrees. TST educates students who are not only "religiously literate" but carry their broad personal and academic development into many fields of work. The School is characterized by short lines of communication and an open and cordial atmosphere. Read more about the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology