Bhagavan Sambhavnath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies

Position Summary:

The Department of Philosophy at Florida Atlantic University invites applications for the Bhagavan Sambhavnath Endowed Professorship in Jain Studies at the rank of Assistant Professor (2/3 teaching load). The position will be primarily devoted to and focusing on Classical Jain Philosophy or Contemporary Jain Philosophy, including but not limited to animal welfare, environmentalism, consciousness studies, technology ethics, health ethics, metaphysics, and human flourishing. Note that some aspect of the candidate’s research must be substantively committed to Classical Jain Studies or Contemporary Jainism.

While the area of concentration (AOC) is open, the successful candidate will be expected to develop and teach a course in South Asian Philosophy, as well as teach Introduction to Philosophy. The candidate is also expected to contribute more broadly to the philosophy curriculum. Ideally, they will be able to teach one or more of the following courses: Environmental Ethics, Moral Problems, Aesthetics and Art Theory, Philosophy of Religion, Philosophy of Law, Eastern Philosophy, or Comparative Philosophy. For more information about the curriculum, please visit: https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/philosophy.

The purpose of the endowed professorship is to foster the exchange of ideas; to enhance the creation of new knowledge; to support undergraduate and graduate student education in South Asian culture and religions; and to ensure, through education, that knowledge and scholarship about the ancient Jain religion is available in the future, thus establishing a unique lens through which to view some of the world’s opportunities and most pressing challenges. On this aspect of the world’s needs, the Donor believes one cannot but emphasize the ecological principles enunciated in Jainism at least 2500 years ago.

About the Department and College: The Department of Philosophy is a core academic discipline in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and the University, teaching more than 1,200 students each year through their general education courses, majors, and minors.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Responsible to a Chair or other appropriate administrator of a State university.

• Responsible for teaching, research, service, and related administrative activities.

• Responsible for academic advising and related activities.

• May represent the university, college/school, or department/unit on university and/or Statewide committees.

 There are many exciting opportunities for collaboration with various centers across the college and university, such as:

 The Center for Body, Mind, and Culture, an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to promoting research, programming, and teaching of topics concerning the body-mind culture nexus.

 The Center for Future Mind, a multi-disciplinary Center where thought leaders in areas such as philosophy, AI, psychology, and neuroscience analyze vital scientific, societal, and ethical issues involving technology, mindedness and human flourishing.

 The Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights, which is a university-wide, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary effort that brings together scholars, students, practitioners, and community leaders engaged in the themes of justice, human rights, and peace and nonviolence.

The professor will also engage with the broader Jain community in the United States, particularly including the Jain community in Florida, and with the Jain community in India, in advancing Jain Studies at FAU. There is a growing network of Jain scholars around the world with whom our professor may interact and support.

Minimum Qualifications:

The selected candidate must have a doctoral degree in philosophy or a related area before the start of Fall 2026 semester.

Preferred Qualifications:
Some familiarity with one or more of the languages of Jain primary sources such as Kannada, Hindi, Gujarati, Prakrit, Sanskrit, etc.

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

College or Department:

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters/Department of Philosophy

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

N/A

Application Deadline:

2025-12-15

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This position is open until filled and may close without prior notice.

This position is subject to funding.

All applicants must apply electronically to the currently posted position on the Office of Human Resources' job website (https://fau.edu/jobs) by completing the required employment application for this recruitment and submitting the related documents.

Required Documents:
FAU’s Career Page permits the attachment of required/requested documentation.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of five (5) documents may be attached to your application. If more than five (5) documents are required for submission, please combine additional documents into a single attachment to not exceed the maximum permitted.

The site permits the attachment of required/requested documentation. Candidates wishing full consideration are to provide the following: (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) research statement, (4) writing sample, and (5) teaching statement and/or evidence of teaching excellence, as well as a sample syllabus for a course on South Asian Philosophy and a course on Introduction to Philosophy.

Please provide contact information for letters of recommendation.

Transcripts:
The selected candidate for this position is required to submit an official transcript sent directly from the institution for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Similarly, for degrees from outside the United States, the evaluation by an organization belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation (NACES), with an indication of the documents the evaluation was prepared from (official transcripts, diplomas, dissertation abstracts) is required for the Provost’s credential file prior to the first day of employment. Transcripts must be issued to Florida Atlantic University, not to the individual applicant.

Background Screening:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.

Accommodations:
Individuals requiring accommodation, please call 561-297-3057. 711