Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies, Boston University School of Theology

BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY invites applications for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Professor of Religion and Black Studies, a full-time, tenured faculty position at the rank of Full Professor, to begin in Fall 2024. The Professorship honors Dr. King by modeling the moral authority, prophetic vision of justice, peace, and love, ethical leadership, and global consciousness that he advocated for and embodied. The successful candidate will be an outstanding scholar, holding a PhD, ThD, or appropriate equivalent degree, whose research and teaching contribute to the School of Theology, Boston University, and the Academy in the work of religion and Black studies and to models and practices of ethical leadership.

Candidates should have a research record and agenda that engages and contributes to their particular field of specialization and to Religion and Black studies more generally. An additional seminary degree (e.g., MDiv, MTS, MAR) is highly desirable. Ideal candidates will be capable of teaching topics that touch upon the theology and life work of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement, peacemaking and conflict transformation, and/or other movements for social justice. Candidates should have a notable record of ethical leadership, mentoring, and collaboration with colleagues and students. The successful candidate will also exhibit capabilities for teaching, advising, conducting research, and contributing to the larger work of the School of Theology and Boston University. 

STH is committed to the formation of intercultural competence and social justice in all aspects of our learning community; and we seek candidates who are eager and skilled in providing leadership to realize these goals, and who support the School’s Diversity Statement. Candidates should be committed to the School’s mission of preparing leaders at the masters and doctoral levels for diverse forms of ministry in religious communities and other organizations, as well as teaching doctoral students for the professoriate and other forms of scholarship within the interdisciplinary context of a research university. Responsibilities include teaching four courses per year as part of the master’s and doctoral programs of the School of Theology. Boston University expects excellence in teaching, research, and publication and is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to engaged scholarship in a multicultural environment. Boston University School of Theology is a United Methodist school that offers an ecumenical education and works closely with other denominations and religious communities. 

Applications should include a curriculum vitae, statements of teaching and research that include engaging questions of diversity and justice, a major publication sample, and three professional references (sent separately). Materials should be sent to the Faculty Search Committee, Boston University School of Theology, 745 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 110, Boston, MA 02215. Applications may be submitted as email attachments to Ms. Jaziya Osman at sthodaa@bu.edu.

Review of applications will begin September 25, 2023 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. BU conducts a background check on all final candidates for certain faculty and staff positions. The background check includes contacting the final candidate’s current and previous employer(s) to ask whether, in the last seven years, there has been a substantiated finding of misconduct violating that employer’s applicable sexual misconduct policies. To implement this process, the University requires a final candidate to complete and sign the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” after execution of an offer letter.