Project description
The 3 PhD candidates will carry out research in the framework of the ERC-funded project, “Embedding Conquest: Naturalising Muslim Rule in the Early Islamic Empire (600-1000)” headed by Prof. Dr. Petra Sijpesteijn (PI). This project is to understand the success of the early Islamic empire (600-1000 CE) using the vastly important but largely neglected documentary evidence from the Muslim world. Examining all written expressions of social hierarchical relations, the goal of this project is to uncover the deeper social structures that underlay the Arab-Islamic empire and to reconstruct the system of shared expectations, assumptions and codes that underwrote its cohesion, and how these changed over time.
The three PhD candidates will each write a dissertation within one of three specified topics within the project focusing on different linguistic sources and concentrating on specific geographical areas. They will also identify and prepare materials from their respective source base for the project’s online database of linguistic expressions describing social hierarchical relations. They will participate in regular team meetings and present their research findings at scholarly venues. For details, read the appendix.
Key responsibilities
- Write a PhD dissertation;
- Carry out and publish original research;
- Gather linguistic expressions for incorporation in the database;
- Disseminate the project to non-academic parties and on social media;
- Co organize conferences and workshops;
- Prepare the proceedings of the conference for publication in an open-access volume or thematic journal issue.
Selection criteria (general)
- An MA degree in a relevant field;
- Fluency in English;
- Willingness to work in an international and competitive research environment;
- Ability to work independently and as part of and in support of a larger team;
- For specific criteria for each of the three positions, see the appendix.
Diversity
Leiden University is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Applications
Applications must be received no later than 14 September 2016. Interviews are planned for the end of September 2016. Applications should be in English, and be submitted to vacatureslias@hum.leidenuniv.nl, with the items listed below included in this order in one single PDF document named ‘FAMILY NAME – Given name – 16-252:
- A CV including education and employment history and publications;
- A letter of motivation;
- A 3-page research proposal of a specific research topic proposed within the overarching PhD project including a short sample biography (indicating well which PhD project the proposal pertains to);
- Names, positions and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters).
For more information click "Further official information" below.
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