Distinguished Teaching Professor in Contextual Theology

Position Type:

Position Type:

Salary Range:

Salary: $120,000 in addition to the University’s benefits package.

Purpose:

The Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University (JST-SCU) is conducting a targeted search for a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Contextual Theology.  

In addition to having expertise in key areas of theology (e.g., Sacraments, Christology, Ecclesiology, etc.) the successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional expertise in Catholic Social Teachings, Church History and Sociology of Religion.  The candidate will also be responsible for providing service in such areas as: advising and supervising students; supporting the development of the Collaborative Theology Initiative; supporting the Dean in advancing the School’s various fundraising and development initiatives; supporting the School’s relocation process and helping to facilitate collaboration between the School and SCU’s disparate schools and units; and contribute to the development of graduate programs (e.g., MA, Ph.D., D.Min.) in collaboration with SCU’s Religious Studies Department and Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries.

Qualifications:
 

• Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Theology (or closely related field). 

• Evidence of a strong agenda for scholarship and excellent peer-reviewed publications in the area of expertise.
• Evidence of effective and excellent teaching. Experience in mentoring or directing graduate work is desirable.
• Ability to teach online is a positive consideration.
• Ability to teach and supervise in French and/or Spanish is a positive consideration.

Rank: Distinguished Teaching Professor.
 

If hired, the targeted candidate will:
Teach a minimum of two graduate courses per academic year on the semester system. 

• Offer a range of courses that serve JST-SCU’s extraordinarily diverse student body and program needs.
• Direct and contribute to comprehensive exam, thesis, and dissertation committees.
• Develop a research agenda that consistently generates excellent peer-reviewed publications.
• Provide service to the School and larger University as appropriate to rank.
• Have, or be willing to develop, expertise in rigorous and engaging online education.

Applications must include:

A cover letter that includes (a) a research agenda, (b) a statement of teaching philosophy, (c) a statement of commitment to working with people of diverse cultures and identities, and (d) the applicant’s understanding of their potential contribution to the mission of JST-SCU; the applicant’s most recent curriculum vitae should also be included. 

Santa Clara University:
Founded in 1851, and located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University blends high-tech innovation with an emphasis on personal, humanistic formation, and social consciousness that animate the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Through more than 50 majors, minors, and special programs, and undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, the University seeks to educate citizens and leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion, who cultivate knowledge and faith to build a more humane, just, and sustainable world. The University is home to more than 5,850 undergraduate students, 3,000 graduate students, 900 faculty, over 1,050 staff, and more than 104,000 alumni worldwide. Among the Class of 2025, 51% identify as students of color.

Jesuit School of Theology

Located in Berkeley, CA, JST-SCU is an international center of theology and ministerial formation, a graduate school of Santa Clara University, and a formation center of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the USA. Students come from around the world to participate in JST-SCU’s academically rigorous, socially engaged, and spiritually vibrant community. JST-SCU is an ecclesiastical faculty accredited and approved by the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education. As an ecclesiastical faculty, JST-SCU prepares Jesuits, lay men, lay women, religious women and men, and diocesan priests from the United States and over 30 countries for vocation, ministry, service, career in the Church, society, and academy. JST-SCU offers the Master of Divinity; Master of Theological Studies; Master of Theology; and Ecclesiastical degrees at the Bachelor, Licentiate, and Doctoral levels in Sacred Theology. The Ph.D. and Master of Arts in Theology are offered in conjunction with the Graduate Theological Union. JST-SCU is committed to the strategic goal of enriching the quality of our community of scholars by increasing diversity among faculty, staff, and students.

The Graduate Theological Union

JST-SCU is a member school of the Graduate Theological Union (www.gtu.edu). With a focus on interreligious, ecumenical, and interdisciplinary perspectives, GTU faculty and students engage the world’s religions and traditions in contemporary contexts, educate innovative leaders for the academy, religious organizations, and the nonprofit sector, and equip scholars to embody the critical thinking, ethical frameworks, compassionate values, and spiritual foundations essential to building a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

JST-SCU faculty are teaching scholars who balance a commitment to quality teaching with active programs of research and creative scholarship. Candidates should demonstrate not only potential for excellent graduate teaching, but also promise in sustained research and scholarly publication and in service to the school, the GTU, the community, and/or the Church. The successful candidate will mentor students in JST-SCU’s ecclesiastical programs (STL and STD), as well as our various master’s degrees and GTU programs.

The applicants are invited to visit our website (www.scu.edu/jst/) for background on JST-SCU’s mission, programs and degrees offered, faculty opportunities for interdisciplinary programs and research, and the multicultural student population we serve.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

​Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decisionmaking, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at  https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/. 

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.  Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at hraccommodations@scu.edu or by phone at (408)554-5750.