Category Archives: Study Opportunities

Fully funded PhD Studentship – Social Science or Humanities approaches to Science and Religion in Society

Posted on by

Fully funded PhD Studentship – Social Science or Humanities approaches to Science and Religion in Society

Call for Applications for Home/EU Studentship to commence 1 February 2016
Applications are invited for one fully-funded PhD Studentship for three years (full-time) for UK or EU students within the Centre for Science, Knowledge, and Belief in Society, at Newman University. CSKBS is a multidisciplinary Research Centre whose work spans a diverse range of disciplines including social sciences, history, philosophy, and psychology. The Studentship includes a subsistence grant in line with the recommendations of the UK research Councils (currently £14,057 p.a. for 2015-16) with all fees paid.
The successful candidate will also be eligible for an hourly paid research assistant role within the broader multidisciplinary Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum project team. This will be designed to allow the successful candidate to develop a range of research skills. This work is paid over and above the subsistence grant.
In addition, dependent on the successful submission of a PhD thesis within three years of commencement, the university will offer a one-year postdoctoral follow-on research position to the successful PhD candidate. This is designed to enable successful PhD students to be retained and develop further as an early career professional in this field of research. This is therefore 3+1 year PhD-to-post-doctoral role.
We welcome applications with proposals for PhD research projects in distinct and multidisciplinary areas related to the wider project’s research themes. We will be happy to discuss project ideas that focus on contemporary debates surrounding ‘science and religion’, particularly in the following areas:

  1. Social Sciences and/or Humanities approaches to media, social media and public space discourse surrounding evolutionary science and religion, spirituality or belief. This could among other areas focus on specific organisations, groups or communities or be undertaken at a broader societal level. The candidate should have a background in a relevant area of social sciences or humanities including the social studies of science, and/or of religion, science technology studies, science communication, media studies, anthropology or a field related to sociology.
  1. Quantitative or mixed methods approaches to public perceptions and attitudes concerning the relationship between science and faith. This studentship will link into a strand of research with a focus on developing and commissioning a representative quantitative polling of public attitudes to provide a more in-depth understanding of public perceptions of the relationship between evolutionary science and belief in Canada and the The candidate should have a background in a relevant discipline, e.g. social science or human geography, with good quantitative data analysis skills.

Science and Religion: Exploring the Spectrum project:

This innovative and unique research project currently employs 15 people working across four intersecting approaches: qualitative social science field research; oral history, historical and media discourse analysis; social psychology experimental research; and a large scale quantitative survey of public perceptions, attitudes and identity formation in the UK and Canada. Newman University lead this 3-year research project funded by the Templeton Religion Trust in partnership with York University (Canada) and National Life Stories at the British Library and British Science Association. The research team is led by Principal Investigators Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker (Newman) and Prof. Bernard Lightman (York, Canada), and Co-Investigator Dr Carola Leicht (University of Kent).
More details about the project and the research team can be found here: http://www.sciencereligionspectrum.org.
Research project related questions can be directed to Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker
F.Elsdon-Baker@staff.newman.ac.uk.
Applicants are expected to possess a Master’s Degree with Distinction, or with Merit including a Distinction in the Dissertation, from a UK University, or an equivalent qualification.
Alongside the standard application form candidates for this PhD Studentship are asked in the first instance to submit a research project proposal (between 3000-4000 words) highlighting how their PhD project will contribute through an open minded approach to the wider understanding of a perceived clash between science and religion.
The key criteria for selection and appointment will be:

  • Record of academic excellence of the candidate;
  • Availability of supervisory expertise and capacity;
  • Quality of project proposal;
  • Research skills and training;

Further information and the application form are available on: http://www.newman.ac.uk/studentships/867?1=o.
Newman University supports world-leading and internationally recognised research across a broad range of disciplines. Please note that Newman University offers its PhDs in partnership with Liverpool Hope University (who are the awarding institution), by whose regulations successful applicants will be bound: http://www.hope.ac.uk/research/postgraduateresearch/.

Timescale

  • Deadline for applications: Friday 23 October 2015
  • Interviews: week commencing Monday 2 November 2015
  • Commencement of Studentship: Monday 1 February 2016

Apply here: http://academicpositions.eu/ad/newman-university/2015/fully-funded-phd-studentship-social-science-humanities-approaches-science-religion-society/65270/

The post Fully funded PhD Studentship – Social Science or Humanities approaches to Science and Religion in Society appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

2 PhDs in Buddhist Studies at LMU München

Posted on by

Two PhD scholarships are being offered by the Doctoral Program in Buddhist Studies at LMU München.
They are still accepting applications; the deadline is October 18. You can find more information on the homepage:
http://www.en.buddhismus-studien.uni-muenchen.de/currentissues/phd_scholarships_2016/index.html

The post 2 PhDs in Buddhist Studies at LMU München appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

Call for Applications: Four Junior Fellowships

Posted on by

Call for Applications – Four Junior Fellowships
Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies – Jewish Scepticism, University of Hamburg
The application deadline for the fall 2015 semester fellowship is June 30, 2015.
The application deadline for the spring 2016 semester fellowship is December 31, 2015.

The Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies – Jewish Scepticism (MCAS-JS) offers four Junior Fellowships, i.e. two for PhD candidates and two for Post-Docs, in each case for a period of six months, either during the fall or spring semester 2015-16. In well-founded cases according to an evaluation of the fellow’s results achieved so far an extension of the period of six months up to one year is negotiable. The award supports original research on (Jewish) scepticism in Ancient Times at the MCAS-JS. In this context, scepticism is understood as enquiry into (secular and sacred) belief and knowledge, the expression of doubts toward any kind of authority – raising the question of the criterion of truth (including implicit and explicit sceptical paradoxes) – and the purposefully evoked suspension of judgement to avoid dogmatism. Applications are welcome from young scholars in any field who are in the final stage of their thesis or Post-Doc research project. Fellowships carry a stipend of €1,400 for PhD candidates respectively €1,700 for Post-Docs.

Responsibilities of Junior Fellows
o    Conduct original research at the MCAS-JS on a full-time basis; Fellows are required to spend a minimum of three days per week in residence.
o    Deliver at least one workshop at the MCAS-JS based on the research conducted.
o    Participate actively in the scholarly community at the MCAS-JS.
o    Acknowledge MCAS-JS in all publications resulting from the fellowship.
o    Submit a detailed report upon completion of the fellowship describing the experience as a MCAS-JS Fellow.

Eligibility
o    Open to all scholars who are in the final stage of their PhD or Post-Doc project.
o    It is the responsibility of the applicant to have the appropriate visa for acceptance of the stipend for the duration of the award.

Applications should include
1.    Cover letter stating area of interest, knowledge of relevant languages, and how the project relates to the agenda of MCAS-JS, and preferred fellowship start date.
2.    Curriculum Vitae, including contact information, education, publications, scholarly activities, teaching experience, and any other relevant work experience, as well as a transcript of records (PhD candidates) respectively PhD diploma (Post-Docs).
3.    Research proposal of no more than three double-spaced pages, including clearly stated goals for research during the period of the fellowship.
4.    A one-page bibliography of important secondary sources for the project.
5.    Two letters of recommendation, which address the significance of the candidate’s work for his or her field as well as the candidate’s ability to fulfill the proposed research project. Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly by the referees to the address below; please list the names and email addresses of the referees in your CV. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that letters of recommendation are submitted by the deadline.
6.    Please submit application, point 1-4, by email as one continuous PDF file.

Application schedule
o    Applications for the fall 2015 semester are due June 30, 2015; applications for the spring 2016 fellowship are due December 31, 2015.  For consideration all application materials, including the letter of recommendation, must be received by the deadline.
o    Announcement of grant recipients: August 2015 for the fall semester; February 2015 for the spring semester.
o    Commencement of grant period: October for the fall semester; April for the spring semester.

Applications are to be submitted to:
Dr. Bill Rebiger
Maimonides Centre for Advanced Studies
– Jewish Scepticism
University of Hamburg
Rothenbaumchaussee 34
20148 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +49 40 428 38 8997
Email: bill.rebiger@uni-hamburg.de

The post Call for Applications: Four Junior Fellowships appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

PhD scholarship in sociology of religion at University of Agder, Norway

Posted on by

Attached you will find an announcement of a three years’ PhD scholarship
in sociology of religion at our department at University of Agder,
Kristiansand. Note that this time knowledge of Scandinavian language is
required. Note also the deadline, June 20.

http://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/114745/doktorgradsstipendiat-i-religionssosiologi

The post PhD scholarship in sociology of religion at University of Agder, Norway appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies,

Posted on by

Invitation to the Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies, 2015, at the Old Library in the Oxford University Church of St Mary

We are pleased to invite you to participate in the Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies. You may register for the Summer Session (3, 4 & 5 August) or the Fall Session (7, 8 & 9 December). The meeting will be held at The Old Library in the Oxford University Church of St Mary.  Constructed in 1320, The Old Library is the first university (as opposed to college) building in Oxford and therefore uniquely important; this is where the nascent University began.

The sessions will be hosted by Canon Brian Mountford, Vicar of St Mary’s. Dr. Mountford is a Fellow and Chaplain of St Hilda’s College in the University of Oxford.

You are invited to present a paper on an aspect of religious studies, or you may wish to attend as an observer.

For more information visit our website Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies

The post Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies, appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

Joint Fellowships for Doctoral Students/ Postdoctoral Scholars

Posted on by

The Max Weber Center for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies at the University of Erfurt (Max-Weber-Kolleg) invites applications for:

Joint Fellowships for Doctoral Students/ Postdoctoral Scholars for research projects in the fields of Sociology, Religious Studies, History, Philosophy, Economics, Law, Political Sciences or Theology within the framework of the Research Group “Ordering Dynamics” directed by Prof. Dr. Jörg Rüpke, Prof. Dr. André Brodocz and Prof. Dr. Hartmut Rosa and located at Erfurt and Jena. The fellowships start either on 1 September or on 1 October 2015 and are granted for 3 to 12 months. Stipend of 1.100 EUR/month are granted for doctoral students. Financial arrangements for postdoctoral scholars take into account the individual situation of the awardees of the fellowships and are based on the principle “no loss, no gain”.  [Editorial question: Is this a neoliberal euphemism for pay-your-own-way?  Or does it mean that if it costs you something to take the post, you’ll get reimbursed?  The meaning is not immediately obvious.]

Requirements

• Excellent academic degree
• Relevant PhD Thesis or PhD Thesis project
• Outstanding Academic Record
• Knowledge of German (at least reading skills), English and other relevant languages
• Willingness to cooperate within the interdisciplinary context of the

Research Group “Ordering Dynamics” with partners in Erfurt and Jena

Further information about the Research Group and the Max-Weber-Kolleg Erfurt are available at: http://www.uni-erfurt.de/max-weber-kolleg/projekte/kooperative-projekte/ordnung-durch-bewegung/ and www.uni-erfurt.de/maxwe

Application/Deadline:

Please submit your application with CV, copies of your last university degrees, MA- or PhD-Thesis, list of publications, and an outline of the research project you would like to pursue (5-10 pages)
with a stringent discussion of your research questions, the state of research on the topic, the methodological approach and the leading hypotheses as well as a working schedule and projected date
of completion as pdf-files (maximum of 10 MB) by 15 April 2015 to:

University of Erfurt • Max-Weber-Kolleg • maren.wuerfel@uni-erfurt.de

Direct informal enquiries may be made to Dr. Bettina Hollstein (bettina.hollstein@uni-erfurt.

The post Joint Fellowships for Doctoral Students/ Postdoctoral Scholars appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

PhD + Post-Doc: “Science & Religion”

Posted on by

Please find details below of an exciting new funded PhD post, with an associated follow-on post-doctoral position, at Newman University, Birmingham. The PhD project will explore contemporary debates surrounding ‘science and religion’. Applications are welcome from psychological, historical or sociological perspectives:

http://www.newman.ac.uk/studentships/867

Please note that the timescale for the application process is tight; the closing date for application is 10th April. Do circulate to your networks, and email Dr Fern Elsdon-Baker (Fern.Elsdon-Baker@coventry.ac.uk) with any informal queries.

With best wishes,
Stephen
Stephen H. Jones

Research Fellow

Newman University, Genners Lane, Bartley Green, Birmingham B32 3NT

The post PhD + Post-Doc: “Science & Religion” appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

Elphinstone Scholarships

Posted on by

A number of Elphinstone PhD Scholarships are available across the arts, humanities and social sciences, linked to specific, individual research projects. These Scholarships cover the entirety of tuition fees for a PhD student of any nationality commencing full-time study in October 2015, for the three-year duration of their studies.

Islam and Ambivalence

Project 1: Muslims and non-Muslims: The “other” as a source of cultural and religious knowledge/ threat The purpose of this project is to identify, discuss and analyse in Islamic literary, historical and/ or religious sources depictions of and references to various forms of relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims. The project will ideally focus on a specific context of such relations, and examine the form of discourse it involves, and the extent to which the “other” are depicted as a source of cultural and religious knowledge on the one hand, and a threat on the other. Such contexts might include societies where Muslims are/ were Muslims, such as Muslim Spain, as well as cases in which Muslims live as a minority, e.g. China. Another possible direction could be minorities and majorities within Islam (e.g., between Sunna and Shi’a).

Project 2: Islamic portrayal of pre-Islamic prophets This project aim at examining the portrayal of one (or more) prophetic figure within the Muslim sources, the construction of their character(s) within the Islamic context, possible motivations for these constructions, manners of settling the internal tensions within their character(s), etc. The research will involve a detailed textual study of medieval Islamic sources and their analysis, available through libraries around the U.K.

Project 3: Northern Europe in Medieval Arabic Sources The proposed project will analyse Arabic texts dealing with the North and contextualise them in their literary tradition. It will provide biographies of the Arabic authors and contexts for their texts, and evaluate their information in terms of trustworthiness in order to extract information about the Vikings and Nordic countries from the eighth to the 13th centuries. Whenever possible the information contained in the Arabic sources will be compared to western Latin sources to produce a composite picture of the events and polities in the period.

How Do I Apply?

To apply for an Elphinstone PhD Scholarship, you should apply for a PhD via our online system, in the Programme Details Section:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply.php

For further details please contact Dr Zohar Hadromi-Allouche

(zohar@abdn.ac.uk)

Dr Zohar Hadromi-Allouche

Lecturer in Islam

Coordinator, MLitt Islamic Studies

University of Aberdeen

School of Divinity, History and Philosophy King’s College, Aberdeen AB24 3UB Scotland, United Kingdom

The post Elphinstone Scholarships appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

Phd Scholarship in Ethical Monotheism

Posted on by

Three-year fully funded PhD studentship in Ethical Monotheism with Prof Stephen Frosh.

Applications are invited for this three-year fully funded PhD scholarship in the Department of Psychosocial Studies, Birkbeck, University of London, to begin in October 2015. 

The scholarship is part of a wider project on Ethical Monotheism and is intended for a student who will explore the ethical formation of young people within monotheistic communities in a pluralistic urban setting

For more information and to apply:
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/psychosocial/news/phd-studentship-in-ethical-monotheism-1

The post Phd Scholarship in Ethical Monotheism appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.

PhD Scholarship, Cognitive Science of Religion

Posted on by

The Aarhus Graduate School of Arts has recently publicized a call inviting applications for a 3-year PhD scholarship in the Cognitive Science of Religion within the framework of the Aarhus-Belfast joint
degree agreement.

Here is the link: http://talent.au.dk/phd/arts/open-calls/phd-call-147/

Please circulate the call to students and colleagues.

Best wishes,
Armin W. Geertz
Prof., Dr.Phil.
Director of Religion, Cognition and Culture Research Unit (RCC)
Chairman of the Interacting Minds Centre

The post PhD Scholarship, Cognitive Science of Religion appeared first on ISA Research Committee 22.