University of Groningen PhD Scholarship in Theology and Religious Studies 2018, Netherlands

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 30,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge. The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies is an ambitious faculty with a dynamic and accomplished staff drawn from around the world (58% international), and a Graduate School with 60 PhD students.

We offer a three-year scholarship to complete a PhD in Theology and Religious Studies. Applications are invited from high-quality prospective PhD students with a good fit with the research specialisms of the department ‘Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Origins’. Here academic staff are engaged in the study of Hebrew Bible and early Judaism, New Testament and early Christianity, Qur’an and early Islam, and their dynamic interrelationship in the context of the Ancient Mediterranean, as well as the reception history of the Bible.

The PhD student is expected:

• to have a Master’s degree (preferably a two years Research Master or equivalent) in Theology or in Religious Studies or another relevant discipline;
• to have a thorough training in research skills;
• to be fluent in English (both oral and written);
• to be able and willing to work in an interdisciplinary environment;
• have the abilities to finish the PhD thesis in three years, like planning, taking initiative, academic writing, desire to publish.

You can apply for this scholarship until 1 April 23:59 h / before 2 April 2018 Dutch local time, by means of the application form.

Your application should include:

• a brief letter of motivation;
• a CV, including contact details of two academic referees;
• a research proposal of up to 2000 words, covering state of the art, main research question, key objectives, relevance, the proposed (methodological) approach, a brief description of the relevant literature; a proposed timetable for the writing of your thesis; and the names of potential supervisors at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies;
• a writing sample of no more than 5000 words, such as an essay or part of a master’s thesis;
• certified, official transcripts of your academic degrees.

Official documents must be in the English or Dutch language. Any translation of originals not in these languages must be authenticated.

The preferred starting date is 1 September 2018.

Note that the procedure will include interviews. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview in Groningen or via Skype.

For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.