PhD Candidate - Politics of Memory and Identity in Lived Islam (m/f/d)

FAU Research Centre for Islam and Law in Europe FAU EZIRE at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg is looking to fill the following vacancy:

Area of responsibility

The position should enable candidates to develop a doctoral thesis in the field of socio-cultural anthropology which should be established in the research area Transnational Islam in Europe (Dept. I Social Anthropology, Law, and Islam , Dr. Jörn Thielmann) of FAU EZIRE and embedded in the thematic focus area Political Potentials () of the International Max Planck Research School Global Multiplicity: A Social Anthropology for the Now (IMPRS-GM, ).

About the School

Engaging with multiplicity is essential for understanding 21st-century social worlds, which are invariably constituted through the interaction of multiple social realities, lifeworlds, world views, approaches to future-making, and forms of knowledge (making). All the major problems that the world faces today have multiple dimensions, intersect with other problems, and have to be addressed through multifaceted measures, thus necessitating the development of appropriate conceptual tools. This graduate school will train the next generation of researchers to deal with such multiplicity. By bringing together scholars working in anthropology or with anthropological methods and approaches, the school will provide much-needed synergy in the study of key contemporary challenges, including climate change, the digital revolution, the crises of modernities, and questions of justice and equality. Participating institutions are the MPI for Social Anthropology (Halle/Saale), Leipzig University, MLU Halle-Wittenberg and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg.

Thematic frame of position

Based on ethnographic studies, the proposed research project should focus on everyday practices in transnational communities from Southeastern Europe, now living in Germanophone Europe. We are particularly interested in politics of memory and identity in post-war former Yugoslavia with the goal of exploring the political potential of religious Beheimatung (feeling at home, belonging) both in the diasporic situation and in the regions of origin. Therefore, preference will be given to projects interested in Bosnian communities.We are looking to explore how collective memory and creation of a heritage are linked to shared future expectations and how identity search questions of who we are and who we aspire to be is entangled in daily religious practice and intertwined with the normative question of how to live. Our research group has a relational perspective (inspired by Georg Simmel, Karen Barad) on intra-actions that emerge through the dynamic relation between (religious) Beheimatung in societies of global multiplicity and the (supposedly distinct) homeland.

Notwendige Qualifikationen:

Necessary Qualifications

• Completed master s degree with an international focus in either socio-cultural anthropology or interdisciplinary studies with elements of socio-cultural anthropology, preferably with an emphasis on Islamic studies and first experiences of field studies on the subject
• Interdisciplinary qualification/experience
• International/intercultural experience
• Knowledge of Muslim life in Germany/Austria (preferably on communities of Southeastern European descent, specifically Bosnian)
• Ability to work in a team, ideally first experiences with working on a collaborative research project
• High grades during master s program
• Excellent English skills (working language of IMPRS-GM) as well as willingness to acquire necessary language skills for field studies (Croatian/Serbian/Bosnian etc.)

Additional description

Temporary research endeavor

Job location is at FAU EZIRE offices, Bohlenplatz 6, Erlangen. Apart from field studies, periods of residence at other locations of IMPRS-GM (amongst others: obligatory Spring School, seminars and a possible mobility semester at MPI Halle) and vacation, presence at FAU EZIRE will be required.

Since 2016, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg is a member of Best Practice Club Familie in der Hochschule (Family Service). It encourages equal job opportunities for women and specifically asks for female applicants. This job is accessible to disabled applicants. Disabled applicants will be subject to preferential hiring in cases of similar qualifications. We specifically encourage international applicants as well as applicants who graduated from or studied at universities outside of Europe e.g. the Global South/East to apply.

Interested parties can send their English-language application containing the documents listed down-below to starting now and until 22/11/2024.

• Cover letter (focused on personal motivation and eligibility for the job offer)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Description of research interests and research plans for the PhD project as part of the research group
• Writing sample (e.g. term papers, theses, book chapters), if possible with ethnographical components
• Credentials & transcripts of bachelor s and master s degree grades
• Motivational letter for membership of IMPRS-GM

Note

General remark on all applications: Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg encourages equal job opportunities for women. Women are specifically invited to apply.

Disabled people in accordance with Schwerbehindertengesetz will be subject to preferential hiring in cases of similar subject-specific qualifications and personal eligibility, if the job vacancy is accessible to disabled applicants.

At the request of the applicant an equal opportunities officer can join in on the job interview; this will not put the applicant at disadvantage.

Application deadline 22/11/2024

Title:Research fellow (PhD position) with focus on Politics of Memory and Identity in Lived Islam of Migrants from Southeastern Europe in Germany in a Transnational Context

Starting date: 1st of February 2025

Job location:FAU Forschungszentrum für Islam und Recht in Europa FAU EZIRE,Bohlenplatz 6,91054 Erlangen

Pay:TV-L E 13

Working time:Part-time (0.65),Weekly working hours 0.65 FTE

Time frame:Temporary employment

Contact: FAU EZIRE

E-mail:

Telephone: -22239