The Chair of Hindu Spirituality and Society (Hindu Seminary) at the Faculty of Religion and Theology at Vrije University Amsterdam seeks a highly motivated and dedicated Assistant Professor to teach and conduct empirical research on the impact of spirituality in society with a focus on Hindu spiritual organizations. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the understanding of how spirituality influences various societal key metrics.

Spirituality plays a significant role in shaping various aspects of society, and this position aims to teach, research and promote the empirical dimensions of its impact. This Assistant Professor will be responsible for conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, gathering and analyzing both primary as well as secondary data on societal key metrics, and contributing to the broader understanding of spiritual organizations' (includes Hindu temples) role in contemporary society.

The output from this position will be utilized to strengthen the Hindu spiritual care practice and to address the needs of the Hindu community in the Netherlands through programs, courses, masterclasses and other communication channels. Furthermore we envision strengthening the position of spirituality as a discipline contributing to various aspects of society.

Your duties

• teaching in relevant academic programs and existing courses such as Spirituality and Sustainability; Yoga, Business & Leadership; and other courses in Hindu spirituality and society
• design and teach master classes, workshops on emerging interdisciplinary themes at the intersection with spirituality and religion
• supervision of BA/MA/PhD thesis research
• conduct empirical research on the impact of Hindu spirituality on societal key metrics, including sustainability, ethics, health and well-being, social cohesion
• gather and analyze data from various sources to identify trends and patterns related to Hindu spirituality's influence on society
• develop and implement research methodologies, including surveys, interviews to gather relevant data.
• collaborate with other researchers and experts in the field
• produce scientific output, including articles published in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences and seminars
• in collaboration, organize and manage research dissemination through magazine, symposium(s), conference(s)
• acquiring didactic skills by giving lectures courses, with the aim of obtaining the BKO-certificate

• a completed Ph.D. degree in a relevant field such as Religion and Theology, Social Sciences, Behavioural Sciences or any of the related discipline(s).
• good experience in designing and teaching courses at bachelor, post-graduate, master levels.
• proven experience in terms of high quality output in spirituality research (publications, grants, independent projects, past or current positions in the research ecosystem) or themes related to spirituality such as organizational spirituality, religion.
• knowledge and understanding of spirituality, its epistemic dimensions, and its impact on society.
• proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including statistics and data analysis of secondary datasets.
• proficiency in research tools, techniques and software: R, SPSS, AMOS, Atlas TI/ NVIVO; Bibliometric tools (such as Vosviewer, Bibliometrix); and scoping review techniques
• affinity towards Hindu spirituality and respectful engagement with Hindu way of living.
• ability to operate in a pluralistic and multi-religious context and contribute to interreligious dialogue.
• strong organizational and communication skills including multiple languages for effective communication and research dissemination.

As a University, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The Chair of Hindu Spirituality and Society at the Faculty of Religion and Theology offers a stimulating and supportive research environment, access to extensive resources, and opportunities for academic and professional growth. The assistant professor will be part of the department Beliefs & Practices at the Faculty of Religion and Theology.

At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 4.332,00 (Scale 11) and maximum € 6.737,00 (Scale 12) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Lecturer / Asisstant Professor 1, Lecturer / Asisstant Professor 1. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.5 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• good paid parental leave scheme
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Chair of Hindu Spirituality and Society (Hindu Seminary)
This dynamic group, housed within the Hindu Seminary, provides a vibrant environment for research and education centered on Hindu spirituality and its multifaceted implications in contemporary society. Our initiative actively engages with Hindu spiritual and religious organizations forging meaningful partnerships and facilitating impactful research endeavors. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, the Chair of Hindu Spirituality and Society endeavors to advance knowledge, nurture critical inquiry, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the spiritual dimensions of human existence within both academic and broader societal contexts.

Faculty of Religion and Theology
The Faculty of Religion and Theology at VU Amsterdam is the leading centre of expertise for the study of religion in society in the Netherlands. Our students, lecturers and researchers are critically engaged with the major religious and societal themes relevant for today. From holy scripture and pastoral care to peace studies and contemporary spirituality.

We are the most comprehensive theological faculty in the world, with ten seminaries that encompass all world religions and many Christian denominations. Together we explore issues of faith and belief. We are open to each other’s ideas in our quest for knowledge, values and truth. Together we expand our horizons, strengthen our understanding and find new pathways in a time of huge social upheaval.

Are you interested in joining Religion and Theology? That means contributing to excellence in research and education connected to spiritual commitment, personal engagement and social responsibility. You will join over 100 colleagues at FRT.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 5,500 staff work at the VU and over 30,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of the VU. The VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.