The SNSF Advanced Grant Project Holy Networks: Locating, Shaping, and Experiencing Palestinian Loca Sancta (1187-1852), coordinated by Prof. Michele Bacci (Chair of Medieval Art, University of Fribourg, Switzerland), invites applications for two PhD positions and one postdoctoral or senior researcher position.

PhD Position, The Cenacle Complex on Jerusalem’s Mount Zion as a Multireligious Locus Sanctus
This four-year doctoral position will focus on the multireligious holy sites in the Jerusalem. The specific topic which the doctoral student will deal with is “The Cenacle Complex on Jerusalem’s Mount Zion as a Multireligious Locus Sanctus”. She/he will be fully responsible for the designated subproject and maintain constant dialogue with the team members and the project’s PI. 

The doctoral student will be responsible for the specific research subproject aimed to providing a historical and art historical analysis of the Cenacle Complex, focusing on the dynamics whereby site-bound holiness came to be shared by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.

Her/his specific tasks will include the examination of available textual, visual, and material evidence, database feeding, the writing of the thesis, active collaboration with the other team members, the organization of events and workshops and participation in scientific events.

PhD Position, Cross-Religious Evocations of the Holy at the Tomb of Prophet Samuel in Nabi Samwil
This four-year doctoral position will focus on the multireligious holy sites in the Jerusalem. The specific topic which the doctoral student will deal with is “Cross-Religious Evocations of the Holy at the Tomb of Prophet Samuel in Nabi Samwil”. She/he will be fully responsible for the designated subproject and maintain constant dialogue with the team members and the project’s PI.

The doctoral student will be responsible for the specific research subproject aimed to providing a historical and art historical analysis of the Tomb of Prophet Samuel, with focus on the dynamics whereby site-bound holiness came to be shared by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. Her/his specific tasks will include the examination of available textual, visual, and material evidence, database feeding, the writing of the thesis, active collaboration with the other team members, the organization of events and workshops and participation in scientific events.

Postdoctoral or Senior Researcher
This five-year part time (40-50%) Postdoctoral or Senior researcher position will focus on the network of Jewish holy sites in the Holy Land, as reflected in Medieval and Early Modern Jewish sources. The applicant will be responsible for:

• A specific research subproject aimed to providing a historical analysis of the sacred topographies associated with Jewish traditions in the Holy Land;
• The analysis of available textual, visual, and material evidence, database feeding;
• An active collaboration with the other team members;
• The organization of events and workshops and participation in scientific events.

Applicants should possess a PhD in history or literary studies with expertise in the analysis of premodern Hebrew texts and have distinguished knowledge of cultural traditions associated with the Holy Land and/or expertise in the interdisciplinary study of religious materiality.