Assistant Professor, Philosophy & Religion

Job Type: Faculty | Job Number: 00529 | Location: 1 S Grove St, Westerville, OH | Division: Academic Affairs

About the Role

Otterbein University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Religion. The position seeks philosophers, scholars of religion, and interdisciplinary teacher-scholars with interests in philosophical ethics and Buddhism, Hinduism, or other religious traditions of Asia. Candidates will contribute to the department's efforts to enhance diversity and provide an inclusive learning environment for all. The appointment begins August 2027.

Responsibilities

• Teaching load of 3–4 courses, including Applied and Theoretical Ethics, Religions of India, Buddhism, and other general education courses on Asian philosophical and religious traditions.
• Commit to increasing the diversity of the curriculum and student body.
• Demonstrate evidence of success teaching undergraduates and a commitment to recruiting and retaining majors and minors in the department.
• Practice student-centered undergraduate teaching and excite students about the study of philosophy and religion.
• Engage in professional and community activities for scholarship, professional development, student advising and mentorship, and service.
• New faculty are eligible for a reduced instructional workload during the first year to establish a research program, along with ongoing professional development funding and support from the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant field of study by the start of the appointment.
• Interest in decolonizing approaches to the study of religion and philosophy.
• Commitment to social justice-oriented approaches in the classroom.
• Ability to complement existing departmental strengths in analytic philosophy and the Abrahamic religious traditions.
• Capacity to teach courses in ethics as well as in Asian religious traditions.
• Particular interest in a teacher-scholar who takes a cultural approach to the study of the religions and philosophical traditions of Asia, with teaching expertise emphasizing critical study of race, gender, sexuality, and social location.

Application Requirements

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Three references with contact information
• Teaching portfolio including:
  • Teaching statement
  • Areas of teaching interest
  • Syllabi (including one for a course in philosophical ethics and one for a course focusing on an Asian religious tradition, suitable for introductory students)
  • Teaching evaluations
• Diversity statement (no more than one single-spaced page) addressing:
  • How a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion has informed your teaching, scholarship, and/or professional experience to date.
  • How you see yourself contributing to Otterbein's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Priority will be given to applications received by November 20, 2026.

Department & University Context

The Department of Philosophy & Religion comprises three full-time faculty: one specializing in analytic philosophy, one in religious studies (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism), and this position will fill the third slot. The department offers a major in Philosophy and Religion and minors in Religion and Philosophy. The bulk of teaching serves general education students through the Integrative Studies Program, with connections to the Legal Studies Minor, Environmental and Sustainability Studies Major, Honors Program, and the minor in Race and Ethnic Studies.

Otterbein University is a historically progressive private university in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. The university has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report (ranked #12 among Regional Universities in the Midwest, 2025–2026), Money Magazine (Top 100 Best Places to Live), and Forbes (America's Friendliest Towns). Otterbein hosts a Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Campus Center and is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Westerville has a population of approximately 38,000 and combines a medium-sized community with the cultural and economic benefits of the Columbus metropolitan area (2.2 million people).