Wutai Shan Venerable Dayi Assistant Professor of Buddhist Spiritual Care

Wutai Shan Venerable Dayi Assistant Professor of Buddhist Spiritual Care

Emmanuel College invites applications for an endowed professorship teaching stream in Buddhist Spiritual Care. The successful candidate will be expected to teach seven courses or equivalent per year, focusing on courses that integrate Buddhist thought and practice into spiritual care and counselling, as well as psychotherapy. The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses, including but not limited to Buddhism & Psychotherapy, Mindfulness Modalities, Buddhist Mindfulness Approaches to Mental Health, and others related to spiritually integrated therapeutic practice within the spiritual care and psychotherapy curriculum. As well, the candidate will offer academic advising for students in the Master of Psychospiritual Studies (MPS), and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programs.

Candidates applying for this position are expected to have a PhD (or equivalent) and experience teaching in the areas of Buddhist approaches to psychology, spiritual care, counselling, and psychotherapy. Familiarity with Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology, and the University of Toronto is an asset. Professional experience in the practice of spiritual care, counselling, and/or psychotherapy and credentials with the CRPO or another regulating body, and professional association such as CASC/ACSS or CCPA or equivalent are preferred.

Emmanuel is a college of Victoria University in the University of Toronto (U of T), a member institution of the Toronto School of Theology (TST), and a theological school associated with the United Church of Canada that provides educational programs (all offered conjointly with the U of T) designed for Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and others preparing for a variety of vocations. All qualified applicants are invited to apply; however, priority will be given to qualified Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Emmanuel College is committed to equity in access to employment and a diverse and inclusive workplace. Please note our DEAR (Dignity, Equity, Accountability, Responsibility) declaration. The College encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

Teaching for this appointment will:

• Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse ecumenical and religious perspectives
• Display ethical sensibilities coherent with the ethos of the United Church of Canada
• Offer approaches and methodologies for understanding the diversity of Buddhist thought and practices in relation to psychotherapeutic modalities and spiritual care 
• Respect the dynamic and formative interaction of religious-spiritual practice and reflection
• Take account of religious diversity as well as interreligious and Christian ecumenical contexts
• Contribute to the overall formation of students as spiritual leaders in diverse contexts
• Engage the socio-political, economic, cultural, theological-spiritual aspects of religious identity 

I. Job Expectations and Responsibilities

• A. Teaching at Emmanuel College by:
• Teaching up to seven courses or equivalent that support the College’s MPS and MTS programs
• Academic supervising to MPS and MTS students
• Being available, through office hours or by appointment, to students for consultation, including
• Teaching, supervising, and giving research direction to TST Graduate Degree students (MA, ThM, DMin, PhD)
• Participation in curricular planning for MPS and MTS programs 
• Offering supervised psychospiritual education (SPE), if applicable

B. Engaging in professional activity by:

• Participating in professional societies and guilds
• Participating in pedagogical conversations appropriate to the field
• Participating in scholarly activities appropriate to the field

C. Participating in administrative activities by:

• Serving at Emmanuel College as a member of the faculty and the appropriate committees within Emmanuel College
• Participating in the community life of Emmanuel College
• Supporting and leading the Buddhist spiritual gatherings and practices offered at the College
• Building relationships with various Buddhist Communities 
• Being available for consultation pertaining to Buddhist-related academic programs 

II. Qualifications

• PhD program (or equivalent), in a field related to Buddhist Spiritual Care, Counselling, and Psychotherapy   
• Demonstrated excellence or promise of excellence in teaching
• Preference will be given to those who have clinical experience in relation to spiritual care, counselling, and psychotherapy 
• Familiarity with Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology, and University of Toronto is an asset 

III. Qualities

A. Educational stance

• Ability to articulate one’s philosophy of education for an educational context engaged in the development of spiritual care providers and psychospiritual therapists
• Proficiency in a variety of teaching methods
• Commitment to the life of the College and the process of considering religious and community issues in light of a general or specific concern for issues of social justice

B. Theological stance

• Ability to articulate theological/philosophical positions in relation to spiritual care, counselling and 
  psychotherapy 
• Respect for the diversity of ecumenical and religious perspectives 
• Openness to cultural diversity, interreligious, intra-religious, and ecumenical dialogue
  Participation in a religious community

C. Relation to U of T and other communities

• Willingness to connect with U of T (i.e., New College, Department of School of Religion, Psychology) to attract students and advance MPS and MTS programs at Emmanuel College
• Willingness to serve as a resource to a variety of religious communities

D. Collegiality

• Demonstrated collegial style
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary fashion within the College curriculum
• Ability to be in creative dialogue with faculty colleagues, students, and the wider community

IV. Appointment procedure, salary and rank

This is a teaching stream full-time continuing appointment at the level of Assistant Professor. The initial contract will be for four years, with a probationary review in the third year. If the contract is renewed, a continuing status review will occur in the sixth year of the appointment.

V. Application Process and Effective Date

Application deadline is 11:59 PM on Friday, October 25, 2024.

Review of applications will begin after November 1, 2024. The appointment is to commence on 1 July 2025. Please send c.v. and letter of application (indicating qualifications and experience related to this position) and arrange for three confidential letters of reference to be sent separately before or by November 1st. Materials should be submitted electronically to ec.searches@utoronto.ca, attn.: Shane Finnie, Executive Assistant to the Principal.