Bernice and Morton Lerner Chair in Judaic Studies

Position Description

The Department of Religious Studies at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, invites applications for the Bernice and Morton Lerner Chair in Judaic Studies at the rank of Full Professor with tenure to begin on July 1, 2027. The search committee welcomes applications from accomplished scholars in all areas of premodern Judaism. Candidates should demonstrate a substantial and sustained record of scholarly achievement, a strong commitment to scholarship and teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, and genuine interest in the collegial tasks of department life, mentoring students, and pursuing curricular innovation. Interested candidates should submit the following: a cover letter (with contact information); a curriculum vitae; a three-page research statement that includes a description of interdisciplinary research accomplishments and plans for future research; a one-page statement describing the applicant’s teaching approach, experience, and future plans; and contact information for three references. Candidate is expected to teach undergraduate and graduate seminars and to participate in departmental governance and service. The successful candidate will also be expected to be an active member of the Sperling Center for Jewish Studies.

All application materials should be uploaded at the Academic Jobs Online portal (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo). For questions about the application process, please contact religiousstudies@duke.edu. Applications received by January 1, 2027, will be guaranteed full consideration.

Duke University
is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment
opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability,
gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information,
national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy
related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke University aspires to create a community built on collaboration,
innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on
the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich
diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes.
To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the
community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all
individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of
our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Please note that Duke University specifically seeks information about past
misconduct or policy violations (in the past ten (10) years) and/or
relevant pending investigations as part of the application process.
Disclosures will not be an automatic bar to hiring but, instead, will
initiate further dialogue regarding past actions and steps taken to
address them. Disclosures will not be shared with search committees
during the application review process.