Research Fellow (Philosophy and Religion) (EXPIRED)

Full-time postdoctoral or early-career research-only positions are available, based in Melbourne in the Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Culture. These positions are associated with a major ongoing research project, Atheism and Christianity: Moving Past Polemic. Up to two positions are available, five year fixed term or continuing. The project is led by Prof. Denys Turner (Yale/ACU) and five other chief investigators drawn from ACU and KU Leuven. The interdisciplinary team will examine the intersections between atheism and Christianity in discourse (in light of negative theology), experience (drawing upon phenomenology), and politics (especially post-secular political theology). In this way, the project aims to explore what atheism and Christianity might learn from each other, and to clarify the place of religion in contemporary society.

 The Centre for Philosophy, Religion, and Culture supports theoretically-informed constructive work in the study of religion. The Centre has a longstanding strength in European philosophy, especially post-structuralism and phenomenology, and its members have a keen interest in cultural studies. Their research draws upon these resources in conversation with classic religious texts in order to address ethical and political questions of contemporary concern. Applicants should be conversant in both the history of philosophy and the study of religion, with an interest in the constructive use of these sources in relation to ethical and political issues. Although Research Fellows will be expected to contribute to the project, they will also have the opportunity to pursue other interests, and so their research profile does need not to be narrowly tailored to the topic of atheism. 

The Project and the Centre are located within the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at ACU. The Institute promotes interdisciplinary and collaborative study through research that seeks to enrich and extend the fields of philosophy and theology at an international level. It hosts discipline-specific and interdisciplinary research seminars as well as regular international symposia at ACU's Rome Campus. The Institute is currently undergoing a major expansion: junior and senior appointments have recently been made in Philosophy, Theology, Ethics, New Testament Studies, and Early Christian Studies.  

General enquiries about the position, the project, and working at ACU Melbourne can be directed to David Newheiser: [email protected]. 

 Total remuneration valued to AUD110,847 - AUD130,747 pa, including salary component AUD93,667 - AUD110,590 pa,  employer contribution to superannuation, and annual leave loading.

To apply, and for further information, including the full position description, please visit http://careers.acu.edu.au/caw/en/job/971108/research-fellowsenior-research-fellow-philosophy-and-religion