Four PhD positions in Jewish Studies, Christian Theology, Interreligious Studies or Classics
in the SNSF funded Research project “The Jewish and Christian Samuel.
Connections, Demarcations, Entanglements” at the University of Bern (2023-2027)
The Institute of Historical Theology and the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of
Bern invite applications for four PhD positions. The four positions are funded by the Swiss
National Science Foundation and are part of the research project “The Jewish and
Christian Samuel: Connections, Demarcations, Entanglements”, co-directed by Prof. René
Bloch (Jewish Studies) and Prof. Katharina Heyden (Ancient History of Christianity and
Interreligious Encounters).
Project
The debate between Judaism and Christianity in antiquity was in part an exegetical one:
The interpretation of biblical scripture was the arena in which connections and
demarcations were drawn, developed and discussed. It is therefore obvious to explore
the intensely discussed questions of "shared worlds" and "parting of the ways" of Judaism
and Christianity with a particular emphasis on exegesis and reception of the Bible in
antiquity and early Middle Ages. In this research project, we address the connections,
demarcations, and entanglement on the basis of one particular example that has received
little attention in previous research: the biblical figure of Samuel. The figure of Samuel
was used as a prism through which the social and theological questions of authority were
negotiated: such as eligibility for religious office, the summoning of spirits from the
death, or the role of prophesy in both Jewish and Christian sources. The project aims at a
double comparison: on the one hand between different linguistic communities within
Judaism and Christianity, and on the other hand between the two religious traditions.
Positions
The positions are full-time and limited to four years, starting on January 1, 2023 or shortly
thereafter. The four doctoral students will write their dissertation thesis, attend regular
meetings in the project team and contribute to activities such as workshops and
conferences. Candidates must hold a MA degree or equivalent degree in Theology, Jewish
Studies, Classics, Interreligious Studies or History and demonstrate thorough knowledge
in the respective languages.
Position 1, Jewish Studies or Classics: Samuel in Hellenistic Judaism (Greek/Latin)
Position 2, Jewish Studies or Classics: Samuel in Rabbinic Judaism (Hebrew)
Position 3, Christian Theology or Classics: Samuel in Greek Christianity (Greek)
Position 4, Christian Theology or Classics: Samuel in Latin Christianity (Latin)
The salaries for each position range from CHF 47’140 in the first to CHF 50’040 in the last
two years of the doctorate.
Applications
Applications can be submitted in German or English. Applicants must submit a cover
letter, a current curriculum vitae, as well as a sample of academic writing, in one single
PDF file.
Applicants to position 1 and 2 are invited to send in their applications (and enquiries
about the project) electronically to the following address: Professor René Bloch, Institut
für Judaistik, Länggassstrasse 51, 3012 Bern, Switzerland, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Applicants to positions 3 and 4 are invited to send in their applications (and enquiries
about the project) electronically to the following address: Professor Katharina Heyden,
Institut für Historische Theologie, Länggassstrasse 51, 3012 Bern, Switzerland:
Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Applications for all four positions should be sent in no later than September 30, 2022.
The University of Bern is an equal opportunity institution encouraging a diverse pool of
applicants.
Connections, Demarcations, Entanglements” at the University of Bern (2023-2027)
The Institute of Historical Theology and the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of
Bern invite applications for four PhD positions. The four positions are funded by the Swiss
National Science Foundation and are part of the research project “The Jewish and
Christian Samuel: Connections, Demarcations, Entanglements”, co-directed by Prof. René
Bloch (Jewish Studies) and Prof. Katharina Heyden (Ancient History of Christianity and
Interreligious Encounters).
Project
The debate between Judaism and Christianity in antiquity was in part an exegetical one:
The interpretation of biblical scripture was the arena in which connections and
demarcations were drawn, developed and discussed. It is therefore obvious to explore
the intensely discussed questions of "shared worlds" and "parting of the ways" of Judaism
and Christianity with a particular emphasis on exegesis and reception of the Bible in
antiquity and early Middle Ages. In this research project, we address the connections,
demarcations, and entanglement on the basis of one particular example that has received
little attention in previous research: the biblical figure of Samuel. The figure of Samuel
was used as a prism through which the social and theological questions of authority were
negotiated: such as eligibility for religious office, the summoning of spirits from the
death, or the role of prophesy in both Jewish and Christian sources. The project aims at a
double comparison: on the one hand between different linguistic communities within
Judaism and Christianity, and on the other hand between the two religious traditions.
Positions
The positions are full-time and limited to four years, starting on January 1, 2023 or shortly
thereafter. The four doctoral students will write their dissertation thesis, attend regular
meetings in the project team and contribute to activities such as workshops and
conferences. Candidates must hold a MA degree or equivalent degree in Theology, Jewish
Studies, Classics, Interreligious Studies or History and demonstrate thorough knowledge
in the respective languages.
Position 1, Jewish Studies or Classics: Samuel in Hellenistic Judaism (Greek/Latin)
Position 2, Jewish Studies or Classics: Samuel in Rabbinic Judaism (Hebrew)
Position 3, Christian Theology or Classics: Samuel in Greek Christianity (Greek)
Position 4, Christian Theology or Classics: Samuel in Latin Christianity (Latin)
The salaries for each position range from CHF 47’140 in the first to CHF 50’040 in the last
two years of the doctorate.
Applications
Applications can be submitted in German or English. Applicants must submit a cover
letter, a current curriculum vitae, as well as a sample of academic writing, in one single
PDF file.
Applicants to position 1 and 2 are invited to send in their applications (and enquiries
about the project) electronically to the following address: Professor René Bloch, Institut
für Judaistik, Länggassstrasse 51, 3012 Bern, Switzerland, Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Applicants to positions 3 and 4 are invited to send in their applications (and enquiries
about the project) electronically to the following address: Professor Katharina Heyden,
Institut für Historische Theologie, Länggassstrasse 51, 3012 Bern, Switzerland:
Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Applications for all four positions should be sent in no later than September 30, 2022.
The University of Bern is an equal opportunity institution encouraging a diverse pool of
applicants.