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3 PhD Positions at the Institute for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Societies (ISNO)

  • Switzerland
  • Posted 1 year ago
  • Applications have closed

University of Bern

Deadline: October 29, 2023

The Institute for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Societies (ISNO) in Bern combines the tradition of text-oriented Islamic studies with approaches from area and postcolonial studies. The Institute specializes in methods from history, cultural studies and political science, and its research focuses on the study of gender and sexuality, legal history, labour history, media and political movements, transnationalism and migration. We research not only the normative aspects of the Islamic tradition, but devote attention to the history, culture and everyday life of Islamicate societies. For more information, see www.islamwissenschaft.unibe.ch
We invite applications for three PhD students to join Prof. Dr Serena Tolino’s research team.

Tasks
The PhD students will join the research team on the SNSF Starting Grant Project “TraIL: Tracing Labour in Islamicate Legal Traditions”. The project team will consist of the PI, Prof. Dr Serena Tolino, one postdoctoral researcher, the three PhD students, one student assistant and one database developer. The project will start in January 2024 and last for 60 months.
TraIL will provide cutting-edge research on the legal history of labour in Islamicate societies from a longue durée perspective (10th-20th centuries), with a particular focus on the relationship between labour and gender in Islamic legal traditions.
Two PhD students will contribute to a work package titled “Conceptualisations of Labour”. The aim of this work package is to identify and map conceptualisations of work, labour and related concepts as they are discussed in Islamic legal discourse from a longue durée perspective. The two PhD students will focus on the 16th–18th centuries. They will explore normative sources, legal debates, sultanic firmans, fatwas, local regulations and archival sources, especially records from sharīʿa courts. One of these PhD students (PhD1) will focus on Ottoman Egypt, the other on Ottoman Palestine (PhD2).
The third PhD student (PhD3) will contribute to a work package titled “Labour in the Modern State: Concepts and Regulations”. This work package will focus on how the conceptualisation and regulation of labour has been impacted by the process of industrialisation, focusing on ruptures and continuities with the previous phases examined by the project team. This work package is devoted to the study of Egypt in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The responsibilities of the PhD students recruited to this project are as follows:
• Undertaking a PhD in Islamic or Middle Eastern Studies
• Conducting fieldwork in Egypt (PhD1 and PhD3) and Palestine (PhD2) over an extended period of time (approximately 6 months in total; more if desired)
• Working closely with TraIL project members and ISNO colleagues
• Co-organizing project workshops, conferences and other events
• Contributing to the project database
• Contributing to the overall communication strategy of the project, including a project blog
• Building an academic network with colleagues in Egypt or Palestine
• Presenting project research at academic conferences
• Attending weekly project meetings and ISNO’s research colloquium
Requirements
Candidates must have an MA degree (with very good grades) in Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Studies or cognate fields.
We are looking for three enthusiastic candidates who can demonstrate a strong commitment to the aims of the Institute, the potential to produce research of an international standard, and proven methodological skills. They should be reliable and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Prioritization skills, collegiality and an active willingness to contribute to a supportive and trusting working environment are expected.
A willingness to carry out fieldwork in the region is expected and will be part of the post holders’ duties. Fluency in written and spoken English and a very good knowledge of Arabic (for all positions) is required. Knowledge of Ottoman Turkish (PhD1 and PhD2) is an advantage. A proven interest in current debates in gender and/or labour history and a willingness to be part of an interdisciplinary team and to work with and think critically about digital tools and methods is expected. Previous experience of working with legal sources is an advantage.
Candidates who are in the process of completing their MA are also welcome to apply but will be asked to submit a detailed and realistic timetable for the completion of their MA, along with a letter of confirmation from their MA supervisor, as part of their application.
We offer
The positions are based at the Institute for the Study of the Middle East and Muslim Societies at the University of Bern and are limited to a maximum of 4 years.
We offer the experience of working as part of an international and dynamic team of researchers; excellent facilities and employment conditions that adhere to cantonal standards; a supportive, collegial working environment and flexible working arrangements. The University of Bern is committed to the principles of equality and the promotion of diversity. The ISNO follows this commitment with conviction. Applications from people with migration biographies, LGBTIQ+ people, people with disabilities, People of Colour, and people who, in the Swiss context, are from minority backgrounds, are strongly encouraged.
Application and Contact Details
Applications should include:
• A cover letter
• A copy of relevant degree certificates and a detailed academic transcript (including classes attended)
• A detailed CV
• The contact details for at least two referees
The documents should be submitted as a single file in PDF format. The deadline for applications is 29 October 2023 (midnight CET). Please send your applications to Debora Ulrich (debora.ulrich@unibe.ch) with the subject line: PhD TraIL. Please indicate which position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.
Interviews will take place in November via Zoom. If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to provide at least one reference letter, a writing sample, and a two-page description of a project that fits within the TraIL framework.

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