FACULTY OF THEOLOGY, IAN RAMSEY CENTRE Researcher GRADE 8: Salary 33,779 - 34,813

We seek applications for a Research post within the Faculty of Theology and the Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion at the University of Oxford (http://users.ox.ac.uk/~theo0038/). This new post has been created for our recently initiated project in Empirical Expansion in Cognitive Science of Religion & Theology, a joint venture of Oxfords Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion and the Centre for Anthropology & Mind in the School of Anthropology. In addition to developing or continuing her or his own line of research in Cognitive Science of Religion & Theology, the post holder will work under the supervision of Professor Roger Trigg and Dr Justin Barrett in implementing two major projects developing cognitive science of religion and theology: (1) a Methodological Expansion Programme to create resources and occasions to increase the amount of empirical research in the field and the sophistication of dialogue with theology; and (2) a Small Grant Programme to create opportunities for scholars to address the needs for empirical testing and theological engagement within the field. As part of a team, the post holder will be responsible for managing the Small Grant Programme. The post holder will solicit and coordinate requests for proposals, communicate with applicants, and serve on the judging panel for awards. Additionally, the post holder will serve as a discussion facilitator in a Summer Workshop particularly with theologians and will serve as a project guide for scholars participating in crosstraining activities of the Methodological Expansion Program. The Researcher will co-edit a published collection and will take the lead in conducting a publishable assessment of the cognitive science of religion field in terms of its theological and philosophical implications and areas in need of additional attention. This 32 month position will begin in January 2008 and end in August 2010. The final 11 months (October 2009 August 2010) are funded at 50% time. The post holder will be required to produce evidence of their eligibility to work in the UK. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in the area of theology, philosophy of religion, or an area closely related to the cognitive science of culture. Applicants must be fluent in written and spoken English. Essential requirements for the post are: strong familiarity with central problems in theology and/or philosophy of religion; familiarity with the academic literature in cognitive science of religion; strong organisational and administrative skills; strong networking skills; willingness and ability to work as part of a team; experience in collaborative scholarship and publication; and competence with Word and PowerPoint. It would also be desirable for applicants to have the ability to teach theology at the university level, particularly in the area of science and religion, and have experience in lecturing to interdisciplinary audiences. Further particulars may be obtained from cynthia.hall@theology.ox.ac.uk. There is no application form. Please send a hard copy of a letter of application clearly addressing how you meet the selection criteria requirements outlined above; a complete, up-to-date curriculum vitae; names, address, email, and telephone contacts of two referees, one of whom should be from your current or most recent employer, to Mrs Cynthia Hall, Ian Ramsey Centre, Department of Theology, University of Oxford, 11 Bevington Road, Oxford OX2 6NB, England, UK, to be received by no later than 12 noon on 15 November 2007. All reasonable interview expenses within the UK will be reimbursed.

FACULTY OF THEOLOGY Ian Ramsey Centre and Centre for Anthropology and Mind Researcher Grade: 8 Salary range: 33,779 - 34,813 FURTHER PARTICULARS

BACKGROUND This new post has been created for our recently initiated programme in Empirical Expansion in Cognitive Science of Religion & Theology, a joint venture of Oxfords Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion and Centre for Anthropology & Mind, funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Under the supervision of Dr Justin Barrett and Professor Roger Trigg, this programme will implement two major projects developing the cognitive science of religion field: (1) a Methodological Expansion Programme to create resources and occasions to increase the amount of empirical research in the field and the sophistication of dialog with theology; and (2) a Small Grant Programme to create opportunities for scholars to address the needs for empirical testing and theological engagement within the field. This post will be one of three postdoctoral researchers contributing to the activities of the programme. This post is for 32 months, ending in August 2010. Note, however, that the final 11 months of the post are only funded at 50%. The post holder will need to demonstrate proven research experience in theology, or philosophy of religion, or similar fields relevant to the cognitive science of religion, and show strong organisational and administration skills. The post-holder will be based initially in the Ian Ramsey Centre building at 11Bevington Road, Oxford. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES The responsibilities of the Researcher, who will be accountable to Dr Justin Barrett, will be to:

Contribute to collaborative research projects in the Centre for Anthropology and Mind Produce high quality individual research, conference papers, and publications Contribute to project papers, reports and website, depending on experience and on extent of engagement in the research Contribute to the design and co-ordination of Cross-Training activities of the Methodological Expansion Program, including summer workshop(s) (Summer 2009 and 2010) and year-end conference (Summer 2010). Facilitate project guidance with programme participants and act as a project guide, assisting scholars from the humanities with quantitative projects in cognitive science of religion and theology. Instruct summer workshop(s) and Year-End Conferences.

Co-edit one or more published collections. Recruit programme participants and assist in developing communications including web materials. Co-ordinate publicity and procedures for the Small Grant Programme and competition. Serve on the judging panel of the Small Grant Programme. Develop own line of research in cognitive science of religion and theology, and write at least one grant in this area. Undertake any other reasonable duties within the general ambit of the post and the competence of the post holder.

Some travel may be necessary to research sites, to participate in research interviews or to attend conferences and other meetings. Qualifications and Experience

Doctoral degree in cognition and culture (e.g., joint degree or degree from interdisciplinary institute or programme). Fluency in written and spoken English

Essential

Some familiarity with the academic literature in the cognitive science of religion Strong familiarity with the academic literature in theology or in philosophy of religion Research experience and publications in theology, philosophy of religion or a related area Strong organisational and administrative skills Experience of writing successful research grant applications Willingness and ability to work as part of a team Experience in collaborative scholarship Familiarity with Word and PowerPoint

Desirable

Ability to teach theology at the university level, particularly in the area of science and religion Experience lecturing for interdisciplinary audiences Established international network of colleagues in religion, theology, philosophy and fields related to cognitive science of religion Familiarity with cognitive science literature

CONTRACT DETAILS This is a full-time post, initially for one year, to commence as soon as possible. Salary range is 33,779 - 34,813. The appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire and subject to the provision of acceptable documents which indicate the individual's right to work in the UK. Holidays are 38 days per year pro rata, inclusive of 8 statutory public holidays.

EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY The policy and practice of the University of Oxford require that employment with the University and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. Subject to statutory provisions, no member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of his or her sex, marital status, racial group, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. NO SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No Smoking Policy. WORKING FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD At the University of Oxford, were naturally very proud of our outstanding reputation for scholarship and research. But were also proud to say that were one of the regions biggest and best-established employers, with a real diversity of staff helping to sustain our success - from lab. assistants, cleaners, technicians and secretaries, to IT, finance and administrative professionals. Join us, and you can expect to find yourself working in a friendly, open-minded atmosphere where your ideas will be welcomed, with an interesting and satisfying job to do, and with plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, or maybe even get some extra qualifications. As well as pay and other benefits such as generous holidays and an excellent pension scheme, we may be able to help you with: Training We train our staff, both in the skills needed for starting the job, and to help them develop afterwards. If you dont have all the skills we are looking for (e.g. computer packages), but you know that you are a quick learner, its worth asking if training might be available. Working hours We may be able to be flexible about working patterns to help you combine work with responsibilities at home. Even for full-time jobs, we can often adjust starting and finishing times, or even sometimes consider term-time-only working: if this is important to you, let us know. Disability If you have a disability, we have specialist staff who can help you to start and stay in work. Childcare We have several subsidised nurseries for under-fives, a childminding network, a holiday play scheme, and tax and national insurance savings schemes. For further information see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child. Parenting As well as providing childcare facilities, we have generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave schemes to help new parents on our staff. Cultural and religious needs We respect the cultural and religious lives of our staff. If you need time away from work, or special facilities, and can give plenty of notice for arrangements to be made, this will always be considered.

Travel arrangements We offer an interest-free season ticket loan scheme for bus or train season tickets. Annual passes for Oxford Bus Company routes are available at discounted rates. Use of University facilities All University staff can use the study facilities provided by University libraries and museums; join the University Club, a sports and social club which has its own bar, caf, and reading room; and make use of the University Sports Complex and the Pulse fitness centre. Discounts A number of discounts are available to University staff e.g. for insurance, holiday travel, and computer equipment.

The range of benefits is continuously reviewed and extended. For further information see www.admin.ox.ac.uk/ps/staff/benefits/ If you come from outside the area, you may be interested to know that as well as the famous tourist attractions such as the dreaming spires of all the lovely old buildings, the river, and a number of attractive parks and gardens, Oxford also has a busy shopping centre and a lively nightlife, particularly during term time. Housing is relatively expensive within the city, but nearby areas such as Didcot or Bicester are more reasonably priced. Although car parking is difficult during the day, there are good train and bus services, including several Park and Ride routes; and, of course, lots of cycle paths. FURTHER INFORMATION The post-holder will have the option of becoming or remaining a member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). All appointments are subject to the relevant provisions of the Statues, Decrees and Regulations of the university in force from time to time, a collected volume of which is published, as occasion requires. The Statutes, Decrees and Regulations of the University record the extent of the Universitys claims to intellectual property, and the proportions in which exploitation revenues are shared with researchers. Copies of the relevant extracts are available on request. The University has two nurseries providing 94 places for the children of staff and students. Some of these places are reserved for nominees of the University Press and certain colleges. For more information and an application form contact the Childcare Officer at the University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD, tel: 01865-270576. Further details about the university nurseries can be found on the Universitys website: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/eop/child/chc.htm. For school-aged children, the University has an arrangement with a local play scheme that offers discounted prices for staff and students. The play scheme runs every school holiday including half terms. For details of this and other childcare facilities in Oxfordshire contact the Childcare Officer. APPLICATION PROCESS There is no application form. Please send one copy of each of the following

 a letter of application clearly addressing how the applicant would meet the selection criteria requirements outlined above; a complete up-to-date curriculum vitae; names, address, telephone and e-mail contact of two referees, one of whom should be from your current or most recent employer.

to:
Mrs Cynthia Hall Ian Ramsey Centre Department of Theology University of Oxford 11 Bevington Road Oxford OX2 6NB England, UK to be received by no later than 12 noon on 15 November 2007. Applications cannot be accepted by e-mail unless by prior arrangement. All data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Universitys Data Protection Policy. All reasonable interview expenses within the UK will be reimbursed. The Centre for Anthropology and Mind is located within the School of Anthropology at the University of Oxford