Research Fellowships in Religion and Urbanity University of Ertfurt

The Centre for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences/ Kolleg-Forschungsgruppe “Religion and Urbanity: Reciprocal Formations“ (DFG, FOR 2779) currently invites applications for

Research Fellowships (3-6 months)

In the period of 01.04.2025 to 30.09.2026

Religion and Urbanity

The research group “Religion and Urbanity” (FOR 2779) investigates the co-constitution and co-evolution of urban and religious life, actors, institutions, and imaginaries in its historical depth for cities in Europe, the Mediterranean and South Asia, from the first millennium BCE onwards. Fellowships are awarded to scholars working in the Humanities, especially in the fields of History, History of Religion or in the fields of Sociology and Urban Studies with a focus on historical and religious developments, especially in the pre-modern era. During the second funding phase, the group focuses on processes of ‘group formation and segmentation’, ‘mercantilisation’ and ‘boundary drawing’.

The research group “Religion and Urbanity” is financed by the German Research Foundation (FOR 2779). Its spokespeople are Prof. Dr. Susanne Rau and Prof. Dr. Jörg Rüpke. The group is hosted by the Max Weber Centre, an Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Erfurt which hosts several interdisciplinary research groups under the umbrella of its Weberian research program.

You can find more information on the “Religion and Urbanity” website and the UrbRel blog. Research results are continuously published on the open access platform “Religion and Urbanity Online”.

We will provide fellows with office space including work facilities. Working languages are English and German. The fellowships start either on 1 March/ 1 April or 1 September/ 1 October (beginning of teaching terms at Erfurt University). Fellowships are usually awarded for a duration of 3 to 6 months; longer stays are possible but must be justified by the individual project. Financial arrangements take the individual situation of the awardees of the fellowships into account and are based on the principle “no loss, no gain” (e.g., covering of additional costs, compensating salary reductions or payment for replacement teaching). Fellows are expected to reside in Erfurt.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a fellowship, candidates must propose a research project to be conducted in Erfurt within the “Religion and Urbanity” framework and have an outstanding academic record, at least one published monograph and a minimum of three years of postdoc research experience. Fellows are required to participate actively in the interdisciplinary and intercultural life of the group and the Max Weber Centre and to contribute to the weekly “Religion and Urbanity” colloquia.

Application/Deadline

Please submit your application with

• a cover letter that indicates the preferred period of your stay at Erfurt
• an outline of the research project you would like to pursue addressing the group’s research focus (3,000-5,000 words) with a stringent discussion of your a) research questions, b) the state of research on the topic, c) the methodological approach and the leading hypotheses as well as d) a working schedule with a projected date of completion and publications of results
• a curriculum vitae and copies of your last university degrees
• a list of publications
• electronic copies of up to three of your monographs or articles relevant to the research framework

as a combined pdf-file (maximum of 15 MB, publications may be presented in separate files) and mentioning the reference number KFG 01/2024 until 15 June 2024 to mwk.bewerbungen@uni-erfurt.de.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Dr. Susanne Rau (Susanne.rau@uni-erfurt.de ).

By submitting your application, you are agreeing with the conditions of using your data as stated (together with your rights of data protection) here.

The University of Erfurt sees itself as an open-minded employer that values diversity. It is committed to diversity and gender equality and welcomes applications that contribute to this. The University of Erfurt has successfully passed the “shaping diversity” audit, has been audited as a “family-friendly university” and has received the rating “equality excellent” in the female professor programme III of the federal and state governments. One of the university’s strategic goals is increasing the proportion of women in re-search and teaching. Qualified female scientists are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. Severely disabled persons and those with equal status are given preference in the case of equal suitability, professional performance, and ability.

The University of Erfurt does not cover any costs incurred by the application.