Job Position: Postdoc Religious Studies “Muslim Piety and Aesthetic Expressions”

The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a 2-year postdoc position in Religious Studies affiliated with the project “Pious Practices among Danish Muslims. Diversity, Devotion and Aesthetics” starting on 1 November 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Job content
The Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies is a unique international and interdisciplinary research environment that hosts area studies as well as comparative disciplines such as the study of religions, minority studies and comparative culture studies.

The project “Pious Practices among Danish Muslims. Diversity, Devotion and Aesthetics” (funded by the Danish Research Council in 2024–2026) investigates performative activities among Danish Muslims which is a landscape of rich devotional traditions with roots in many cultures.

We are now looking for a post-doc researcher to study the emerging scenes for Islamic art in Scandinavia. It will identify how and where interaction takes place when artistic practices intersect with Muslim piety. The artistic practices can be visual arts, music, literature or performance and the scene can be performance stages, art galleries or literary forums as well as social media and websites. The project is not geographically limited to Denmark, transnational links and expressive forms are expected – yet they should be grounded in artistic practices of Muslims in Denmark. The researcher is expected to carry out an independent research project under supervision and as a result publish two academic articles. Alternative modes of documentation and communication of the project, such as curating a digital exhibition or organizing a reading event, are also welcome.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment as a postdoc presumes research qualifications on at least PhD level.

For more about postdoc positions and qualification requirements, see the Ministry of Education and Research’s Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with the following competences and experience:

• a PhD degree in the Study of Religion, Art/Literature/Music studies or a related field;
• awareness of the ethical challenges connected to interlocuters’ integrity and copyright issues when working with creative products;
• proficient communication skills, ability to work in teams and engagement in the project’s outreach activities.

For more information about the position, please contact Professor and PI of “Pious Practices among Danish Muslims. Diversity, Devotion and Aesthetics”, Catharina Raudvere raudvere@hum.ku.dk.

Application
All applications must be submitted online, in PDF or Word format, via the link “Apply for the position” at the bottom of the page.

Applications may be written in Danish or English and must include the following attachments:

1. Personal statement (max. one page)
2. CV (max. two pages)
3. Documentation of qualifications (exam certificates and PhD diploma)
4. Complete publication list (attached publications must be marked with an asterisk). The list must be structured systematically and divided into the following categories:

• Peer-reviewed publications:
  • Monographs and anthologies
  • Articles in journals
  • Book chapters/anthology contributions, etc.
• Non-peer-reviewed publications:
  • Publications disseminating research findings, etc.

Applicants can attach a maximum of three publications. The publication dates must be clearly marked on the list. The selected publications must be uploaded as attachments and numbered 1–3.

1. A research plan that includes a brief description of previous research, current research areas and upcoming research, and also accounts for experience with research organisation, research collaborations, international relations and any external/intersectoral collaborations (max. three pages).
2. Documentation of teaching competencies/teaching portfolio (see the UCPH guidelines for teaching portfolios here) and other work on the dissemination of research.

Only material in Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, English, German and French will be assessed.

Assessment criteria
Applicants will primarily be assessed in relation to their research qualifications, including their publications, ability to conduct independent research and participate in research collaborations, and their experience of research management. In addition, the applicant’s research plan and research potential will be assessed in relation to the overall job content described above.

Teaching qualifications are not a requirement, but if the postdoc is expected to teach, then documented teaching experience can be included in the overall assessment.

The recruitment process 
Once the deadline for applications has expired, the head of department will consider advice from the appointment committee and select applicants for assessment. All applicants will be notified whether they have been shortlisted. The Dean will then set up an expert assessment committee to consider the applications. The selected applicants will be informed who is serving on the committee. They will be offered the opportunity to comment on the committee’s assessment of their application before the appointment is announced.

Further information about the application procedure can be found on the University of Copenhagen’s website: Rekrutteringsproces –  for videnskabelige medarbejdere – Københavns Universitet (ku.dk) and at HR, e-mail: hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk. Please state ID number 211-1869/24-2I on request.

Remuneration and terms of employment 
The appointment is for a fixed term of 24 months and will be made in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). In addition, a total pension contribution of 17.1% of salary and pensionable supplements will be allocated. It will be possible to negotiate further supplements on the basis of qualifications.

We seek to reflect the breadth and diversity of society and encourage applications irrespective of personal background.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 11 August 2024 (CEST)
Any applications or additional material submitted after the deadline will not be considered.