Assistant Professor, Buddhist Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy and Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) at Northern Illinois University (NIU) invite applications for a joint tenure-track Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Professorship in Buddhist Studies, at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin August 16, 2026. We seek a candidate who shows promise of excellence in teaching and research. The position requires a specialization in Buddhist philosophy, with the demonstrated ability to develop and teach courses in this area within NIU’s philosophy department. The candidate must have competence in any of the Buddhist philosophical systems of Southeast Asia. Additional areas of competence in philosophy or Southeast Asian Studies are welcomed. Responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate teaching at the standard load (2/2 for research-active faculty), research, advising, and committee work. Ph.D. required by the start date. This professorship is established with the support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global.

NIU is a public university serving over 16,000 students. Located in DeKalb, Illinois, an affordable and growing community 65 miles west of Chicago, NIU is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University-Higher Research Activity institution. NIU’s students are drawn from many backgrounds, and the university features seven cultural resource centers, including the Asian American Resource Center. CSEAS, a National Resource Center housed within NIU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers courses of study in five Southeast Asian languages: Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Tagalog. Its 28 associated faculty come from 12 departments and teach the languages, cultures, history, and politics of the region. The NIU philosophy department, also housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers baccalaureate and Master’s degree programs. It has strengths in most subfields of contemporary philosophy, as well as the history of philosophy. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses that meet the curricular needs of the Department of Philosophy and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies   
• Publish and engage in related scholarly activities  
• Provide service to the department, center, university and profession   
• Mentor students and contribute to exam and departmental committees, as needed   

Minimum Required Qualifications  

• Ph.D. in a relevant field conferred by the start date  
• Proficiency in Sanskrit, Pali, classical Chinese or one of the vernacular languages of Southeast Asia   

Preferred Qualifications  

• Relationships or partnerships with scholars and institutions in Southeast Asia   
• Basic working knowledge of one of the vernacular languages of Southeast Asia  

Salary  

• Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications, with minima set by a collective bargaining agreement. NIU offers a robust benefits package.  

Application Procedures  

Full consideration will be given to all applications received by November 3, 2025. Applicants should visit https://employment.niu.edu/postings/86698 to submit the following materials:  

• Cover letter: In the letter, please describe your interest in the position and be sure to address how you meet the position requirements, including language proficiency.  
• Curriculum Vitae, including a list of graduate courses taken  
• Transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for initial review of application; official copies required to confirm appointment) through the NIU Human Resource Services’ online job application system  
• Sample of written work, of roughly 7,000-10,000 words  
• Brief research statement of no more than three pages  
• Teaching portfolio, including a statement of teaching philosophy and 1-2 sample syllabi for courses you have taught or would like to teach (one for an undergraduate course in Buddhist philosophy)  

In addition, please arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent on your behalf to [email protected]. The position # (6333) should be included in the subject line of each email.

Applications submitted after November 3, 2025, are welcomed, but will be considered as needed. 

Official graduate transcripts are required upon hire. Successful completion of a background check is also required upon hire. 

Questions can be directed to philosophy department chair, Jason Hanna, [email protected].

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to non-discrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.