The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies — Dalhousie University

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Dalhousie University invites applications for The Simon and Riva Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies. This appointment will be a tenured position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The successful candidate should be an exceptional scholar of international reputation, with a proven track-record suitable to a Research Chair at a major university.

The Chair is inclusive of scholars from a wide variety of arts, humanities, and social science backgrounds. Dalhousie welcomes applications from scholars engaged in teaching and research related to Classical Judaism; Jewish Philosophy and Thought; Jewish History and Social Sciences; Jewish Cultures, Languages, and Literatures; Judaism and the performing and visual arts; Holocaust studies; or contemporary Middle Eastern politics. Candidates are expected to have broad expertise and documented research and teaching experience in several areas and/or historical periods treated within Jewish Studies, as well as a working knowledge of the primary languages within Jewish Studies, especially Hebrew.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies is intended to bring a distinguished scholar to Halifax to share their expertise with students and faculty at Dalhousie University, with the closely-affiliated University of King’s College, and with members of the broader Halifax community; to lead new initiatives in the field of Jewish Studies at Dalhousie and beyond; and to foster excellence in research, teaching, and outreach in the field.

The Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies will teach two 3-credit-hour courses per year in their home unit (normally, one each in the Fall and Winter terms, to include both introductory and more specialized courses in their field of expertise); give at least one public talk in each of the two terms; and participate in community outreach and knowledge mobilization. As a Research Chair, they will engage in a rigorous research program as appropriate to their discipline and fields of study. The Spatz Chair will also be expected to initiate and be involved in cross-faculty initiatives at the university and to coordinate projects across academic and non-academic sectors. Building on existing academic units including the Religious Studies program and the Minor in Abrahamic Religions, as well as faculty members’ interests and current courses, the Chair will work towards establishing a robust program in Jewish Studies at Dalhousie University.

The salary for the Chair will be based upon the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The Spatz Chair includes an annual travel and research fund of $10,000.

Timeline: An open start date for the position, any time from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022.

For further information about this position, or to request accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please contact Laura Godsoe at Laura.Godsoe@dal.ca. 

For academic-related questions please contact Professor Yuri Leving, Chair of the Search Committee for The Simon and Riva Spatz Visiting Chair in Jewish Studies at yleving@dal.ca.

The application deadline is June 7, 2021. Applications for this position must be made through Dalhousie’s online portal https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/.

Applications should include a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a two-page research statement, a two-page statement (Portfolio) on the proposed research and teaching program for the Spatz Chair in Jewish Studies, and the names and contact information for three referees.

Apply Here: https://dal.peopleadmin.ca/postings/5868