The Max Weber Centre for Advanced Cultural and Social Studies (Max-Weber-Kolleg) at the University of Erfurt is an Institute for Advanced Studies and permanent graduate school. Within its Weberian research programme, it hosts several interdisciplinary research projects. It currently invites applications for up to 2 doctoral positions for Ph.D. projects in the fields of History and History of Religion within the framework of the research project “Religion and Urbanity: reciprocal formations”, directed by Prof. Dr. Susanne Rau and Prof. Dr. Jörg Rüpke.

Positions are to be filled by 1 April 2019 for a period of 36 months (further extension possible, depending on personal requirements and institutional settings).

The project examines the long-term relationships between urbanity and religion in cities of very different types from the first millennium BC onwards. Successful candidates will work on a project that connects problems of the history of urbanisation and urbanity with problems of the history of religion for cities or regions in Europe, the circum-Mediterranean area, West or South Asia from Antiquity onwards.

Successful candidates will participate in the project’s research programme and engage in joint research.

Requirements

• Excellent degree (MA) in History or History of Religion, Anthropology or a closely related discipline
• Knowledge of English, German (at least reading skills; candidates without knowledge of German are requested to take courses), and other languages relevant for the research planned
• Willingness to cooperate within the research project and to take part in the study programme within the interdisciplinary research environment of the Max-Weber-Kolleg
• Willingness to pursue a doctorate at the University of Erfurt, preferentially in History or History of Religion/Religious Studies