Job Description

The Department of History at National University of Singapore (NUS) invites application for ONE Postdoctoral Fellow to work on a Social Science and Humanities Research (SSHR) Fellowship project, “Diplomatic Dharma: Buddhist Diplomacy in Modern Asia, 1950s–Present,” directed by the Principal Investigator (PI), Assistant Professor Jack Meng-Tat Chia. The position will be based in Singapore with an intended start date of August 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter, for a period of two years.

Funded by a SSHR Fellowship from Singapore’s Social Science Research Council, “Diplomatic Dharma” aims to examine the role of Buddhism in fostering cultural diplomacy and exchanges among Asian countries from the second half of the twentieth century to the present. It seeks to offer comparative insights on the use of Buddhism as a soft power tool to promote cultural, economic, and social relations in secular Asian countries during the Cold War and the post-Cold War periods.

The successful applicant will be offered a fixed-term contract of 24 months from the date of hire. S/he will receive an attractive monthly remuneration depending on experience and qualifications. The position will be based in Singapore, although some research travel may be permitted. Singapore citizens and permanent residents are eligible for central provident fund benefits.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will work with the Principal Investigator (PI) to achieve the project’s academic objectives. Job duties include, but not limited to, the following:

• Conduct research and translate sources.
• Contribute new research ideas and participate in collaborative writing projects.
• Co-organize and participate in workshops and conference sessions.
• Contribute their own research to the project in the form of a published article.

Qualifications

Applicants should:

• Have a PhD (or be awaiting conferment) in Asian Studies, History, Religious Studies, or a related discipline, as well as ongoing research interests related to the project themes.  

Competencies:

• Regional expertise and/or demonstrable interest in the academic study of Buddhism.
• Candidate is expected to read and translate Chinese-language sources. Knowledge of Chinese is essential.
• Good team player and ability to multitask effectively.

Covid-19 Message

At NUS, the health and safety of our staff and students are one of our utmost priorities, and COVID-vaccination supports our commitment to ensure the safety of our community and to make NUS as safe and welcoming as possible. Many of our roles require a significant amount of physical interactions with students/staff/public members. Even for job roles that may be performed remotely, there will be instances where on-campus presences are required. 

In accordance with Singapore's legal requirements, unvaccinated workers will not be able to work on the NUS premises with effect from 15 January 2022. As such, job applicants will need to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated to secure successful employment with NUS.

More Information

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Jack Meng-Tat Chia (jackchia@nus.edu.sg). To apply for this position, please combine the following documents in 1 PDF and attach it under the CV column when submitting your application:

• A detailed curriculum vitae with a complete list of publications;
• A cover letter of no more than 2 pages, explaining your past research/work experience and interests in relation to the research project; and
• Names and email addresses of four referees whom we may contact, out of which one letter must be from your PhD supervisor.  

Interested applicants are invited to apply directly at our NUS Career Portal. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Shortlisted applicants may be called for interview, either in person or by zoom, as appropriate.