Full Professor, Sanskrit and Ancient Cultures of South Asia Leiden University, The Netherlands
The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University invites applications for a full professorship in Sanskrit and Ancient Cultures of South Asia (vacancy no. 8-194, starting date 1 September 2009).
This chair is placed within the Leiden Institute for Area Studies within the Faculty of Humanities, itself comprised of the Institutes for Philosophy, Religious Studies, Creative and Performing Arts, History, Cultural Disciplines, Linguistics and Area Studies.
The chair holder will be responsible for teaching and research in the field of the Ancient Cultures of South Asia and Sanskrit in all its stages, based on a sound knowledge of Sanskrit and the ancient cultures of South Asia and focusing on a broad cultural-historical approach to language and culture.
He or she will participate in teaching in the fields of world religions and Asian Studies (in the broadest sense, encompassing language, literature, history, art history, social sciences etc.), in a manner which emphasizes the interrelations of language, linguistics, literature, material culture, religion and history of Asia through the ages.
The successful candidate will hold a doctorate. He or she must have outstanding research qualities manifest in a high-quality, internationally accessible research and publication record, outstanding educational talents and teaching experience, and management and administrative skills. He or she is expected to have a solid knowledge of Sanskrit and both the present and the past of South Asia; a good command of a modern Indian language will be an advantage. (If the successful candidate is not Dutch-speaking, he or she will be expected to acquire a practical working command of Dutch within two years from taking up duty.)
He or she will play an active role in the School of Asian Studies of the Institute for Area Studies. The successful candidate will also make a contribution to attracting, supervising and training young researchers, and is expected to be willing and able to obtain external funding and to participate in administration.
Gross salary range: from € 4904 to € 7142 per month, depending on qualifications. Foreign nationals may be eligible for a substantial tax break.
Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Leiden University aims to employ more women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore especially invited to apply.
Applications should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, a list of publications and courses taught, an outline of planned research (individual and/or team projects), and the names and contact details of referees.
They should be addressed to the Dean of Humanities, and cite vacancy no [8-194] on both letter and envelope (for regular mail) / subject line (for email).
The Dean may also be contacted for inquiries and for recommending potential candidates.
Prof. Dr. H.W. van den Doel
Dean of Humanities
P.O. Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 71 527 1628
Email: