Associate Professor & Mary Ann Spearin Chair in Catholic Theology

Job description

Mary Ann Spearin Chair In Catholic Theology

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Dayton seeks applications for the Mary Ann Spearin Chair in Catholic Theology. This endowed chair, established by Mary Ann Spearin to support graduate theological education at the University of Dayton, is open at the rank of associate professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. This is a nine month, tenured faculty position with an appointment to the Spearin Chair that is made for a renewable four-year term, beginning August 16, 2027.

We seek a strong and creative scholar who can steward our programs' successes going forward. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate experience in administration, teaching, and scholarship, with attention to the specific and unique foci of our graduate programs.

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching theology courses in the MA and PhD programs, including regular teaching of one of the required PhD seminars; teach undergraduate courses at the discretion of, and in conversation with, the department chairperson.

Contributing scholarship that advances their particular field of study and that connects broadly to the doctoral program's emphasis in US Catholic experience.

Directing the graduate programs in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Overseeing these programs in collaboration with the department's graduate committee and other faculty charged with supporting the graduate programs.

Advising MA students and first-year PhD students and contributing to graduate student formation (e.g. colloquies, professionalization seminars).

Guiding appropriate curricular development, recruitment, marketing, and seeking grants when appropriate, for the graduate programs.

Supporting assessment and accreditation processes, in collaboration with the department's graduate committee.

The Spearin Chair receives support for their work from a staff coordinator of graduate studies, an administrative assistant shared with four other endowed chairs in the areas related to Catholic traditions, and a graduate assistant assigned to work with them on projects of their choosing. When the Spearin Chair seeks promotion to full professor, their administrative accomplishments may constitute a major element of their portfolio, alongside their teaching, research, and service.

Minimum Qualifications:

PhD in Theology or equivalent field or degree (such as Religious Studies, STD); subject area is open to scholars in fields that support the doctoral and MA programs (such as historical theology, systematic/dogmatic theology, moral theology/Christian ethics, pastoral ministry/practical theology).

Record of teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with the criteria for tenure and appointment at the rank of Associate Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Dayton. Tenure-track assistant professors whose record is commensurate with the criteria for tenure and appointment at the rank of Associate Professor are eligible to apply.

Administrative experience in higher education, such as chairing committees, planning events, working on institution-wide curriculum development, oversight of programs, policy development, or similar.

A research agenda that attends to the Catholic theological landscape and that relates to the doctoral program's emphasis in US Catholic experience as described in the introduction.

Expertise, demonstrated in teaching or scholarship, appropriate to teach doctoral seminars relevant to UD's PhD in Theology with an emphasis in US Catholic experience

Articulated ability to support the University of Dayton's commitment to the inclusive excellence principles of our Catholic, Marianist mission and identity.

Preferred Qualifications:

Successful experience in one or more of the following: Administration of graduate programs in theology Chairing a department Demonstrated success in advising and mentoring graduate students, including graduate students from culturally and socially diverse backgrounds Working with grant-writing offices in securing grants Curricular development for graduate programs Recruiting and marketing programs Supporting assessment and accreditation processes Expertise, demonstrated in teaching or scholarship, appropriate to teaching one of the required seminars of UD's doctoral program Expertise, demonstrated in research or teaching, that will contribute to the department's focus on the diversity of US Catholic experience Scholarship or teaching experience in ethics/moral theology and/or in other areas of study emphasized in UD's graduate theological programs, such as Marian studies. Nationally- or Internationally-recognized scholarship, e.g. author of a book that became a subject of a symposium, invited lectures, and the like. Experience employing active learning strategies to foster and maintain student engagement, including in hi-flex, synchronous and asynchronous online, and face-to-face modes of instructions Effective interpersonal communication skills that contribute to a collaborative work environment Professional communication skills Effective oral communication skills

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants for this position should prepare and upload the following: A cover letter that addresses all minimum and any preferred qualifications met. CV A 1 to 2 page statement of the candidate's ability to engage with the Catholic and Marianist mission of the university and the Theology and Religious Studies department, including consideration of how the university's Marianist charism would inform their teaching, scholarship, and leadership in the doctoral program. Contact information for 3 references who will be contacted later in the process Posting closes at 11:55 PM ET November 1, 2026. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The University does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

Worksite address

dayton, OH, 45444, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.