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The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant professor in the area of Social Theory of Islam, beginning August 2019.While possessing the necessary linguistic, historical, and/or ethnographic expertise, the successful applicant will be trained in using social theory (e.g., political theory, post-colonial theory, discourse analysis, gender theory, etc.) to analyze and understand Islam in relation to the establishment, development, and/or contemporary context of the modern Middle East. Though the specialized focus or specific region/national setting is open, the position will enhance the Department’s international reputation in the critical study of religion while a portion of the person’s service time will go toward helping to establish an interdisciplinary Center for Middle East Studies (working closely with a newly hired Political Science faculty member who will be its Director).A Ph.D. is required but ABD applicants who are about to defend and complete their degree will be entertained. The committee welcomes applications from candidates with training in the academic study of religion, as carried out in a public university, but will also entertain training in related fields, as long as expertise in studying and teaching social theory as applied to the study of Islam is evident. Applicants should demonstrate an active and ongoing research agenda, highlight their teaching experience, and make evident their ability to contribute to the life of an academic department in the areas of service and collaboration.The position will be open until filled but review of applications will begin November 15. Applicants are required to apply online, submitting a cover letter (including the names and addresses of three references), C.V., and writing sample. Selected applicants will subsequently be asked to provide letters of recommendation and a group of semi-finalists will meet with the committee via a brief online session prior to the Department identifying finalists to be brought to campus for interviews.Please see the full ad online at: https://facultyjobs.ua.edu/postings/44043; all applications must come through UA’s online employment site.For information, please contact:Professor Russell T. McCutcheonDepartment Chair and Chair, Social Theory of Islam SearchDepartment of Religious Studies212 Manly HallP.O. Box 870264University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL 35487-0264The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants to and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases.