Doctoral (or Post-Doctoral) Level - Field 'Concepts and Taxonomies' University of Zurich

University Research Priority Program (URPP) Asia and Europe

Starting date: 1 September 2012

The positions are assigned to one of the URPP Asia and Europe research fields and are intended primarily for PhD candidates. Post-doctoral applications are also welcome and will be examined. Successful post-doctoral applicants will receive supplementary support during their search for third party funding. PhD candidates are expected to enroll in the URPP's graduate program, where discussions are conducted in German and/or English. Candidates should therefore have adequate knowledge of German or be ready to acquire the necessary language skills upon notice of election. The applications should submit an original research project relating to one of the following research topic:

Research Field: Concepts and Taxonomies
The Research Field "Concepts and Taxonomies" of URPP Asia and Europe is inviting applications for doctoral positions within the framework of its research agenda, which emphasizes the conceptual history and taxonomic examination of the concepts "philosophy," "religion," and "law and order," as well as "the concept of the concept." In exceptional cases, post-doctoral applications may be considered. Especially welcome are applications for the following projects:

1) Research on the concept of religion in Ancient Near Eastern History of Religions, Study of Religions, Indian Studies, Islamic Studies and Japanese Studies

• Conceptualization of "religion" in Ancient Near Eastern Studies (Ancient Near Eastern Studies / History of Religions).
• Impact of inter-religious contact on religion-related concepts and taxonomies in pre-modern Asian contexts (History of Religions and relevant philologies).
• Definition and lexis of teachings and practices (e.g. dharma, vidhi) as well as religious communities and institutions (e.g. sampradaya, panth) in medieval and early modern Indian sources (c.a. 8-17^th centuries) (Indian Studies).
• Development of the concept of religion in early Islam (Islamic Studies).
• Evolution of the concept of religion in 20^th century Islam (Islamic Studies).
• Concept and relationships of different "teachings" (kyō), "ways" (dō), or "orders" / "methods" (hō) as well as their personal and institutional representatives alike in Buddhist texts from the Kamakura period (Japanese Studies /Study of Religions).
• Concept and relationships of different "teachings" (kyō), "ways" (dō), or "orders" / "methods" (hō) as well as their personal and institutional representatives alike in legal texts from the Kamakura period (Japanese Studies).
• Research on the self-thematization of religion in the religious history of ancient Israel (Theology).

2) Research on the theme of "law and order" from a historical and theological perspective

• Research on the process of the theologizing of law in ancient Israel or on the transformation of the Hebrew Bible's conception of "Torah" (Theology).

3) Research on the concept of "concept," "comparison," or "analogy" in premodern Asian texts and cultural traditions.

General Information
Requirements: Doctoral level: M.A. or equivalent academic degree qualifying the candidate to submit a PhD thesis in one of the following disciplines: East Asian Art History, Chinese Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Indian Studies, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Japanese Studies, Law, Political Science, Study of Religions, Theology. Post-doctoral level: PhD in one of the disciplines listed above or in a different discipline but with post-graduate qualifications in at least one of the listed disciplines.

Employment conditions: PhD-position at the University of Zurich for the duration of one year. Employment at the URPP Asia and Europe serves to prepare an application for funding with the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and other institutions funding research. The salary is according to the University's regulations for PhD-students. PhD dissertations are to be submitted at the University of Zurich.

We offer: a stimulating, demanding and competitive disciplinary and interdisciplinary research environment (4 faculties, 12 disciplines).

Applications should be submitted electronically in a single PDF-Document by 15 February 2011 according to the application guidelines published on our website. Please send them to the following E-Mail address: bewerbungen@asienundeuropa.uzh.ch

Contact: Dr. Inge Ammering, URPP Asia and Europe, Executive Manager, Tel.: +41 44 634 07 38