Description

Position Details

Position Information

Working Position Title
Assistant Professor, Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Professor in Buddhist Studies

Classification Title
Assistant Professor

Position Number
00006333

Posting Date
09/23/2025

Closing Date

Priority Review Date
11/03/2025

Business Unit Description
Faculty

Full-Time/Part Time
Full-Time

FTE
1.00

Position Status
Regular

FLSA
Exempt

Job Code
2000

Union Representation
Union

Union Code
UFA - United Faculty Alliance

Unit/Department
Philosophy

College/Unit
College of LA&S Dean

Division
Academic Division

Location
ZH 915

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page
https://www.niu.edu/clas/phil/

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

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.

Northern Illinois University ( 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 sub-fields of contemporary philosophy, as well as the history of philosophy.

Position Summary

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Professor in Buddhist Studies will be an active researcher who teaches undergraduate and graduate courses for the Department of Philosophy and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Additional responsibilities include committee work and student advising in both units.

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

Additional Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

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

Physical Demands Summary

For physical demands and requirements please see human resources policies and protocols.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date
08/16/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year
0.75

Standard Hours Per Week
37.50

Salary
Commensurate with experience, minima set by a CBA . NIU offers a robust benefits package .

Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range
$3,888.89/Per Pay Period

Earn Type
Salary

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

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].

Special Instructions

Quick Link to Applicant
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/86698

Is Background Check Required
Yes

EEO Statement Summary

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 nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[email protected]
815-753-5560

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [email protected] .

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.
Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report .
Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
4. Writing Sample
5. Research Statement
6. Statement of Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents

1. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
2. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
3. Transcripts #3 (unofficial with official required at hire)

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).