University of Oxford, Faculty of Oriental Studies

Call for Applications

Application Deadline: September 14, 2018

This is an opportunity for an outstanding scholar to join the research project Qur’anic Commentary: An Integrative Paradigm (QuCIP), funded by the European Research Council and directed by Nicolai Sinai. The particular responsibility of this post is to carry out research on the Islamic reception history of surahs 1–4 and to author a monograph on this topic. The position is scheduled to commence in April 2019, although an earlier start date is possible if desired.

The Researcher will undertake a detailed examination of medieval and modern Islamic commentaries and other primary sources relevant to the interpretation of surahs 1–4. This will involve managing his/her research using and developing appropriate methodologies, and drawing on pertinent scholarship from other disciplines as required. She/he will contribute to the preparation of workshops and conferences, present papers at conferences or public meetings, and liaise as appropriate with colleagues and research groups at other institutions. She/he will author a monograph based on his/her research and collaborate in the preparation of the project’s other publications, as well as acting as a source of information and advice to other members of the project. She/he will develop ideas for potential further funding applications related to Qur’anic Studies, and liaise as appropriate with colleagues and research groups at other institutions. The Researcher may be asked to deliver up to an average of 1h of classes, lectures, or small-group (tutorial) teaching per week of term in the field of Qur’anic Studies or some other subfield of Islamic Studies.

Holding a relevant PhD/DPhil by the start of the position, the successful candidate will possess a very good command of Qur’anic and classical Arabic and have very good literacy in pre-modern Islamic religious scholarship, coupled with specialist knowledge of the discipline of Qur’anic Studies. She/he must be able to undertake innovative research at the forefront of current Qur’anic scholarship, managing his/her own academic research and associated activities. Previous experience of independent scholarly writing to a high level of content and presentation is essential, as are the ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and excellent communication skills, including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings. Applicants with previous scholarly publications and/or literacy in a relevant primary language other than Arabic, such as Persian or Urdu, may be at an advantage, although these are desirable rather than essential accomplishments.

This is a full-time fixed-term position, for 4 years.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 14 September 2018.

Source: The University of Oxford