Assistant Professor of Liturgical and Ritual Studies

The PThU is seeking a candidate for the position of Assistant Professor (0.8 FTE) of Liturgical and Ritual Studies. The Assistant Professor of Liturgical and Ritual Studies will work within the team of the Practical Theology – Worship & Formation chair group.

This chair group has a public practical theological profile within the current context of a society in which individuals and groups are seeking stability and direction amidst rapid and significant changes. The team possesses knowledge and expertise in the fields of liturgical ritual in church and culture, theology and the arts, youth ministry and diaconal studies. The substantive focus of the Associate Professor in Liturgical and Ritual Studies in teaching and research strengthens the chair group’s public profile and its existing expertise in liturgy and ritual. In the field of teaching, the chair group works closely with the chair group in Practical Theology – Community & Care.

Whom are we looking for?

A lecturer in Liturgical and Ritual Studies with expertise in empirical research and well-developed hermeneutical skills. You practise your discipline within the framework of design-oriented and/or creative Liturgical and Ritual Studies in connection with current practices. You are at ease across the entire spectrum of the PKN and can inspire students from diverse church backgrounds and faith perspectives to take an interest in Practical Theology and Liturgical and Ritual Studies in particular. You are able to draw connections with other theological disciplines and collaborate on teaching with lecturers from other departments. In the field of research, too, you are able to use your subject-specific expertise to provide impetus for an integrated approach to theology in relation to sources, practices and beliefs. You can initiate and design research in collaboration with church and social partners.

What will you be doing?

The PThU is a university with a Christian ethos. One of its core tasks is the training of ministers for the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. You will conduct research and deliver and develop teaching in the field of Liturgical and Ritual Studies across all PThU programmes, with the initial focus on teaching at Bachelor’s and Pre-Master’s level. In the long term, involvement in Master’s-level teaching and at postgraduate level (continuing professional development for ministers) is also desirable. You will also contribute to working groups and committees within the PThU and to church and social services.

What are we looking for?

An Assistant Professor with the following competencies and qualifications:

• holds a PhD in the field of Liturgical and Ritual Studies, as evidenced by a dissertation and, preferably, subsequent publications in peer-reviewed journals or collections from reputable publishers;
• has a vision for teaching and research in Liturgical and Ritual Studies against the backdrop of social developments and the (Dutch/Western European) religious landscape;
• is an enthusiastic lecturer with experience in teaching in the field of Liturgical and Ritual Studies;
• has experience of or an affinity with the target audience for the course, predominantly Protestant students;
• holds a Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO) or is willing to obtain the BKO within the first two years of appointment;
• can design and conduct research in close collaboration with stakeholders, thereby generating social and ecclesiastical impact;
• is willing to secure external research funding;
• is a team player who contributes to a culture of collaboration;
• has a sufficient command of the Dutch language to deliver teaching or is willing to improve their proficiency in this area during the first year if necessary;
• is able and willing to teach in Dutch and in English if the curriculum so requires;
• is a professing member of and has at least 4 years’ pastoral experience in a Protestant church, preferably in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.

What do we offer?

• A position with a workload of 0.8 FTE (comprising 55% teaching, 35% research and 10% other duties), with an intended start date of 1 November 2026. The Assistant Professor will start on a fixed-term contract, which will be converted to a permanent contract subject to a satisfactory performance review.
• Attractive terms of employment with a strong focus on flexibility and (personal) development.
• Position and salary scale depending on relevant knowledge and experience, in scale 11 or 12, (minimum €4,728, based on full-time working hours). The holiday allowance is 8% and the end-of-year bonus 8.3%. There is a generous contribution to the ABP pension scheme. There is a good allowance for commuting expenses and the option to accrue saved leave and tax-efficient exchange of employment conditions.

Would you like to know more about the vacancy?

Please contact Dr Mirella Klomp, Professor of Practical Theology (Worship & Formation), mcmklomp@pthu.nl.

Want to apply for this position?

You can send your application to sollicitatie@pthu.nl by May 7, 2026 16.00PM CEST at the latest or use the upload-button below.

Your application should include

• a covering letter
• curriculum vitae
• an overview and evaluations of teaching delivered in the subject area
• a list of publications
• a vision statement with a detailed outline of both content and process (2 A4 pages), in which you present how you intend to use your own profile to contribute to the public profile of the chair group, for example through research

Please address your cover letter to the chair of the Appointments Advisory Committee, Prof. Dr. M. T. Frederiks.

Procedure

The first round of interviews will take place on May 28, 2026. A second round will take place on June 16, 2026. Delivering a mini-lecture forms part of the second round. The procedure stipulates that the Synod of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands will be asked to approve the appointment. An assessment may form part of the application procedure.