Three PhD positions: Rewriting Global Orthodoxy

• 32 – 40 hours per week
• Maximum gross monthly salary: € 2,972
• Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
• Job level: Research University Degree
• Duration of the contract: 4 years
• Application deadline: 15 September 2019

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We are looking for

In cooperation with the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies at Radboud University seeks to hire three PhD candidates for the ERC project Rewriting Global Orthodoxy: Oriental Christians in Europe between 1970 and 2020. 

Over the last fifty years, Oriental Orthodox Christians (Armenians, Copts, Syriacs/Arameans, Ethiopians and Eritreans) from the Middle East and Africa have settled in Europe, fleeing war-related violence and societal pressures. One of the prominent aspects of religious practice of these transnational Oriental communities is their strong emphasis on the writing and publishing of texts. These include traditional religious texts (from liturgy to history), re-translated and re-contextualised texts, and completely new texts. The project takes these textual practices as its main source to understand how these Oriental Christians inscribe themselves in European societies and so contribute not only to the transformation of their own transnational churches but also to that of Orthodoxy worldwide. It hypothesises that diachronic and synchronic comparison among Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches will show that this rewriting includes the actualisation of their religious heritage vis-à-vis ethnic and national self-definitions, vis-à-vis European society, and vis-à-vis other churches, particularly Orthodox ones.

The project consists of several sub-projects, including a database of books, pamphlets and magazines produced by Oriental Christians in Europe over the past fifty years, and three case studies of the textual practices of Oriental Christian churches in Europe on the (1) Syriac Orthodox; (2) Coptic Orthodox; and (3) Ethiopian/Eritrean Tawahedo churches. Each of the three PhD candidates is expected to study one case study, contribute to the database and analyse their findings in the broader context of the project, interpreting the literary heritage of these churches in the contemporary European context. The full research proposal is available upon request.

We ask

• Masters degree in Semitic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, African Studies or Theology/Religious Studies.
• Solid knowledge of the language(s) and literature of one of the churches that make up the three case studies: Syriac/Aramaic, Coptic, Arabic or Ethiopic languages, such as Tigre/Tigrinya, Amharic.
• Basic knowledge of the themes and methods of sociology and anthropology, esp. regarding migration studies.
• Basic knowledge of data management, databases and other tools of digital humanities.
• Good analytical and conceptual skills.
• Willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to present ideas clearly in writing and speaking, also to people from other disciplinary backgrounds.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

We are

The faculty has approximately 140 staff and 10 chair groups and provides courses to approximately 700 students. The project is part of the chair group of Comparative Religious Studies, which closely cooperates with the Institute of Eastern Christian Studies. 

The faculty has an inspiring academic climate. We continuously seek to innovate our socially relevant domain-specific and interdisciplinary education and research programmes. Responsibility, solidarity, care and commitment are values which characterise the facultys culture.

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent and collaboration. You have a part to play!

We offer

• Employment: 32 – 40 hours per week.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,325 per month, and will increase to €2,972 in the fourth year (p scale).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years.
• Intended starting date 1 November 2019 or any time sooner.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Would you like more information?

For more information about this vacancy, please contact: 
Prof. Murre-van den Berg, Project leader Rewriting Global Orthodoxy

Apply directly

Please address your application to prof. Murre-van den Berg and submit it, using the application button, no later than 15 September 2019, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone. 

Your application should include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV, including full publication list and the names and contact details of two persons who are willing to act as a referee.
• Recent work: publication, essay or excerpt from your MA thesis.

Please state in your motivation letter which project you prefer and why.
The first round of interviews will take place between 8 and 11 October 2019.

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