The Governing Body of Clare Hall proposes to elect a stipendiary Visiting Fellow in Comparative Religion for a period of ten months from 1 October 2009 or an agreed date thereafter. There are no restrictions on age, sex or previous standing for this Fellowship, except that those who have previously held College Visiting Fellowships, or Research Fellowships in Oxford or Cambridge are not eligible. At the close of their tenure, Fellows normally become Life Members of the College.
The Trust aims to promote a better understanding between the great cultures of the world by encouraging the study of the religious principles on which they are based.
The College and the Trust may give preference to candidates who are at a fairly early stage of their careers. However, in certain circumstances the College and the Trust might be willing to appoint a scholar of longer seniority who already holds an academic post and is thus in receipt of regular support. The Fellow will normally be provided with a stipend of £15,000 and an allowance of College commons. Accommodation may be provided at normal rental cost.
The College and the Trust expect the Fellows to contribute to a deeper understanding of one of the world's great religions other than Christianity, both in the academic community of Cambridge and among more general audiences. The manner of such a contribution, whether by public lecture, seminar or supervision of students, will be subject to discussion with the College and the Trust, who are both anxious that the Fellow will use the opportunities provided by the Fellowship to full advantage, to support the work of the University and the College, to further the aims of the Trust, and to pursue research within the field of religious studies. On completion of the Fellowship, the Fellow will be asked to submit a short report on work accomplished.
Applicants are asked to send, with their letter of application, six copies of the following documents: a curriculum vitae; a proposal, in not more than 1,000 words, indicating how they would fulfil the aims of the Fellowship; and the names of three scholars who are prepared to act as referees.
The College will not seek references from scholars; applicants are responsible for asking for letters of recommendation to be sent directly to Dr Michael Loewe, Clare Hall, Herschel Road, Cambridge, CB3 9AL. The closing date for applications is 31 January 2009. Candidates may be called for interview.