Research Assistant Professor | Posting Details
Posting Details Institution The University of South Dakota
Working Title Research Assistant Professor
Posting Number F01871P
Department USD-History
Physical Location of Position (City) Vermillion
Posting Text The Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of South Dakota (USD) invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor position beginning in Fall 2026. The successful candidate will participate in grant-funded research projects on Hangzhou Buddhism and strengthen the department's capacities in online teaching. The position may support the expansion of the religious studies minor and contribute to digital humanities initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications
- PhD in History, East Asian Studies, Religious Studies, or a closely related field by the time of appointment (Fall 2026)
- Demonstrated expertise in East Asian history, with specialization in Chinese Buddhism (particularly Hangzhou Buddhism), and regional studies
- Proficiency in Chinese sufficient for research, translation, and editorial work
- Online teaching effectiveness or strong potential for excellence in undergraduate teaching
- Demonstrated experience with digital humanities methods or project experience relevant to GIS, digital archiving, or digital exhibits
Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate one or more of the following:
Research expertise in Hangzhou Buddhism
Degree or formal training in GIS, spatial history, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in spatial analysis, story mapping, or geospatial data visualization
Ability to work with Taiwanese-language materials
Experience developing, managing, or contributing to collaborative humanities projects
Experience with editorial workflows, dataset creation, and the development of digital or public-facing humanities resources Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Contribute to grant-funded research projects related to East Asian Buddhism, regional religious history, and digital humanities through editorial, digital, and geospatial work
• Teach courses in religion, world history, US history, and/or East Asian history, with an emphasis on online delivery
• Participate in translation projects in medical humanities from Chinese and/or Taiwanese-language materials into English
• Support digital humanities workshops at USD
Application Materials
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Names and contact information for three references Must be authorized to work in the U.
S. Sponsorship is not available for this position. Posting Date 06/02/2026
Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes
First Consideration Date 07/03/2026
Advertised Salary Duration of the Term 9 months
If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100
Tenure Status Term
Proposed Rank Assistant Professor
Work Hours Typical Hours Worked Per Week Appointment Type Regular
Scope of Search External (includes Internal)
If internal, define scope of search Department Description and Cultural Expectations Equal Employment Opportunity Statement USD ismitted to fostering a dynamic and weing working and learning environment for all. USD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ideological, political, or sectarian opinions or perspectives; or race, color, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, disability, national origin or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. USD ismitted to the principles of free expression and encourages the timely and rational discussion of topics in an environment that is intellectually and ideologically diverse. Information Working Conditions
Cognitive Requirements Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Protective Clothing/Equipment Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify Physical Requirements Please designate the physical requirements of this position Describe any of the conditions selected Sensory Requirements Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Working Conditions & Exposures Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above Working Environment Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.