3 Postdoctoral positions - research project Religious Interaction
Universität Bern (University of Berne, Switzerland)
Call for Applications
3 Postdoctoral positions (80-100%) to participate in the research project
Religious Interaction and Co-Production:
Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Entangled Early Medieval Occident
Prof. Katharina Heyden, SNSF Consolidator Grant, 2023-2028
This project will contribute both to our knowledge of the entangled history of what we today call
Europe and to our understanding of the intertwined identity building processes of what we
habitually call Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. By applying and refining the concept of religious
co-production it will explore the continuous forming, re-forming and transforming the three
religious traditions by interacting with and imagining one another, as well as the impact such
co-production had on the shaping of Europe.
The research team will identify, analyze, and discuss cases of historical interaction both real
and intellectual between Muslims, Christians, and Jews that are especially well-suited to
revealing the ongoing dynamics and the ambivalent potentials of religious co-production. The
team members will provide particularly significant case studies on interactions between
Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the early Medieval Occident and the resulting 'products' -
such as rituals, festivals, legal norms, saints, holy places, lifestyles, narratives, doctrines,
images, knowledge, hopes.
The project will bring together especially talented and promising postdoctoral researchers to
do groundbreaking independent research in the historical study of religious interaction and coproduction.
In a regular bi-weekly reading group, the team will continuously study relevant
sources together and discuss conceptual aspects to refine the concept of religious coproduction
on its empirical-historical, epistemological-hermeneutical as well as the ethical-normative
level. All of this will take place in an attractive academic environment that is
particularly conducive to such a project at the University of Bern.
The Bern research team will be integrated into the joint international research initiative
"Interactive Histories, Co-Produced Communities: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam", a collaboration
between the PI and Prof. David Nirenberg and his team at the IAS Princeton. This Bern-
Princeton initiative is connecting senior and junior scholars from all over the world in an effort
to cultivate a new understanding of religious history as a process of co-production rather than
isolated identity formation. For more information see: [http://www.coproduced-religions.org<http://www.coproduced-religions.org]www.coproduced-religions.org<http://www.coproduced-religions.org>.
Responsibilities
During the period of employment, Postdoctoral Fellows will be expected to
- carry out their independent research on the co-production of Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam in the early medieval West (including North Africa)
- contribute to the project's research archive: https://coproducedreligions.
org/resources/case-studies (two sources and one case study per year)
- participate in and assist with organizing the project's team weekly meetings (in person
and zoom), workshops, and conferences
Qualifications
Applicants must have graduated with their PhD in a relevant field (History, Religion, Art
History, Interreligious Studies, Theology, Philology etc.), and be no more than ten years from
the awarding of their degree.
- an appropriate number of publications depending on the candidate's experience
- a general interest in the historical relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims as
manifest in the candidate's track record
- strong reading skills in the primary and secondary languages relevant to
the candidate's proposed area of focus
Proficiency with the English language is necessary to perform the functions of these
positions. Research contributions can be in English, German, French, Italian, or Spanish.
Terms of the award
The initial appointment term is for two years (08/2023-07/2025). The appointment is
renewable for another three years contingent on satisfactory performance. Postdoctoral
Fellows will be expected to be in residence in Switzerland for the duration of their
appointment. More information about postdoc positions at Uni Bern including salaries:
https://www.unibe.ch/unibe/portal/content/e152701/e322683/e325053/e916384/
Application instructions
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- cover letter (1 page, in English)
- curriculum vitae including track record
- description of your intended research, including a particular case of co-production you
are especially interested in researching (no more than 4 pages, in English)
- dissertation abstract (250 words, in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish)
- writing sample (no more than 25 pages, in English, French, German, Italian, or
Spanish).
- names and contact information of two recommenders.
All application materials should be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to:
Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!<mailto:Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!>. The deadline for submission is March 20, 2023.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Bern are equal opportunity institutions encouraging a diverse pool of applicants. We believe in the
inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a diverse workforce will bring a wider array of
perspectives to our scholarly community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard
to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran
status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Call for Applications
3 Postdoctoral positions (80-100%) to participate in the research project
Religious Interaction and Co-Production:
Jews, Christians, and Muslims in the Entangled Early Medieval Occident
Prof. Katharina Heyden, SNSF Consolidator Grant, 2023-2028
This project will contribute both to our knowledge of the entangled history of what we today call
Europe and to our understanding of the intertwined identity building processes of what we
habitually call Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. By applying and refining the concept of religious
co-production it will explore the continuous forming, re-forming and transforming the three
religious traditions by interacting with and imagining one another, as well as the impact such
co-production had on the shaping of Europe.
The research team will identify, analyze, and discuss cases of historical interaction both real
and intellectual between Muslims, Christians, and Jews that are especially well-suited to
revealing the ongoing dynamics and the ambivalent potentials of religious co-production. The
team members will provide particularly significant case studies on interactions between
Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the early Medieval Occident and the resulting 'products' -
such as rituals, festivals, legal norms, saints, holy places, lifestyles, narratives, doctrines,
images, knowledge, hopes.
The project will bring together especially talented and promising postdoctoral researchers to
do groundbreaking independent research in the historical study of religious interaction and coproduction.
In a regular bi-weekly reading group, the team will continuously study relevant
sources together and discuss conceptual aspects to refine the concept of religious coproduction
on its empirical-historical, epistemological-hermeneutical as well as the ethical-normative
level. All of this will take place in an attractive academic environment that is
particularly conducive to such a project at the University of Bern.
The Bern research team will be integrated into the joint international research initiative
"Interactive Histories, Co-Produced Communities: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam", a collaboration
between the PI and Prof. David Nirenberg and his team at the IAS Princeton. This Bern-
Princeton initiative is connecting senior and junior scholars from all over the world in an effort
to cultivate a new understanding of religious history as a process of co-production rather than
isolated identity formation. For more information see: [http://www.coproduced-religions.org<http://www.coproduced-religions.org]www.coproduced-religions.org<http://www.coproduced-religions.org>.
Responsibilities
During the period of employment, Postdoctoral Fellows will be expected to
- carry out their independent research on the co-production of Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam in the early medieval West (including North Africa)
- contribute to the project's research archive: https://coproducedreligions.
org/resources/case-studies (two sources and one case study per year)
- participate in and assist with organizing the project's team weekly meetings (in person
and zoom), workshops, and conferences
Qualifications
Applicants must have graduated with their PhD in a relevant field (History, Religion, Art
History, Interreligious Studies, Theology, Philology etc.), and be no more than ten years from
the awarding of their degree.
- an appropriate number of publications depending on the candidate's experience
- a general interest in the historical relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims as
manifest in the candidate's track record
- strong reading skills in the primary and secondary languages relevant to
the candidate's proposed area of focus
Proficiency with the English language is necessary to perform the functions of these
positions. Research contributions can be in English, German, French, Italian, or Spanish.
Terms of the award
The initial appointment term is for two years (08/2023-07/2025). The appointment is
renewable for another three years contingent on satisfactory performance. Postdoctoral
Fellows will be expected to be in residence in Switzerland for the duration of their
appointment. More information about postdoc positions at Uni Bern including salaries:
https://www.unibe.ch/unibe/portal/content/e152701/e322683/e325053/e916384/
Application instructions
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- cover letter (1 page, in English)
- curriculum vitae including track record
- description of your intended research, including a particular case of co-production you
are especially interested in researching (no more than 4 pages, in English)
- dissertation abstract (250 words, in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish)
- writing sample (no more than 25 pages, in English, French, German, Italian, or
Spanish).
- names and contact information of two recommenders.
All application materials should be submitted electronically as a single PDF file to:
Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!<mailto:Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!>. The deadline for submission is March 20, 2023.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Bern are equal opportunity institutions encouraging a diverse pool of applicants. We believe in the
inherent value of diversity and equal opportunity, recognizing that a diverse workforce will bring a wider array of
perspectives to our scholarly community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard
to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran
status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.