Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
One Year, fixed-term contract, 38.5 hours per week
Research stipend: 27,600 Euros per year (c. £23,645)
The fellow will participate in a research project funded by the Gerda Henkel foundation on Group Formation in Abbasid Caliphate (750-1000), led by Prof. Philip Wood and working alongside three other post-docs. The project is located at Aga Khan University, Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in King’s Cross, London, UK. The Fellowship lasts for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
The project aims to investigate why different ethnic and religious groups have flourished or dwindled by comparing the histories of different groups and considering these against the broader political and economic context of the Abbasid caliphate. The study of Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians has often been conducted in isolation, but we aim to bring the historical sociology of these groups into conversation with one another and with their Muslim neighbours.
The project team aims to meet regularly to read and discuss primary sources; to provide feedback on one another’s work and to familiarise ourselves with the social scientific literatures on group formation that could be usefully employed in historical contexts.
Responsibilities:
• Work on creating a comparative chronology of group formation in the Abbasid Levant and Iraq (750-1000).
• Undertake original research that addresses the core intellectual questions of the project using the tools of their expertise. It is expected that the post-doc would work towards producing a peer-reviewed journal article or article for an edited volume and assist in funding applications.
• Participate in conferences to present research based on the project. In particular, these include attendance and logistic assistance at four workshops held in the UK and online in the period 2023-25.
• Attend project-related fortnightly meetings at the Aga Khan Centre in London.
Requirements:
• PhD in History, Arabic literature or another relevant field.
• Excellent Arabic and familiarity with Abbasid-era Arabic literature.
• Demonstrated experience or interest in Groups and Group Formation, whether these groups are ethnic, linguistic, religious or professional.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to work on a project in Islamic history with unfamiliar content.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team.
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Further language skills (especially Syriac, Armenian or Hebrew); skills in website design; skills in historical network analysis (ORA, Pajek, R etc.) an advantage.
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter (max. one page), CV, a statement of research interests (max. one page), and the names and contact details of two referees to:
[email protected]. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For specific questions about the fellowship please contact
[email protected] Applications will be received until 12th September 2023.
Note: Due to large number of applications expected, we will only contact candidates short-listed for interview. If you have not heard from us within one week after the closing date, please presume that your application has not been successful.
By submitting an application, you provide your consent under the General Data Protection Regulations to share the contents of your application with relevant colleagues involved in the recruitment exercise.
