Doctoral Research Positions in the Junior Research Group “The reproduction of Religion in Secular Societies” (RelSec)

 

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover, Germany, offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

The Institute for the Study of Religion is a small teaching and research department. It has a strong international profile including the international master’s degree programme “Religion in the Public Sphere” taught in English. Since 1 October 2024 it hosts the junior research group “The Reproduction of Religion in Secular Societies” led by Dr. Carmen Becker and with a six-year funding period by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).

The Institute for the Study of Religion welcomes applications for the following three positions to be filled as per April 1, 2025: Doctoral Research Positions in the Junior Research Group “The reproduction of Religion in Secular Societies” (RelSec) (salary scale 13 TV-L, 75%)

The fixed-term positions are for a project related duration of 30 months, with the possibility of extension.

Your role

• You conceptualize and realize your own sub-project within the broader framework of an international research group.
• You participate in the group’s events and shared publications.
• You contribute to the conceptualization and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER).
• You get involved in the institute’s general tasks and structures in accordance with your research progress and general interests.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidate must have completed or are about to complete a master’s degree in the study of religion or related fields such as sociology, cultural studies, anthropology and political science.

Candidates must

• have expertise in qualitative social research methods,
• have knowledge of constructivist social theories,
• be fluent in written and spoken English.

In addition, we particularly welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate

• prior hands-on experience with qualitative social research methods,
• experience with working in international environments,
• knowledge of the scholarly debates on the definition of religion.

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore particularly encourage applications for the above-mentioned position from women. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why join us?

We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment, and promote personal and professional development ranging from subject-related skills to leadership and languages. Working hours can be organised in consultation according to various flexible models. We support employees through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.

The funding allows for the compensation of field work related costs, the participation in international conferences, the organization of workshops and conferences tailored to the needs of the research group and more.

 

Additional information

As part of your application, we ask you to submit a research proposal for a sub-project within the framework of the research group (max. 3 pages). Please request the project description for further information on the research group and potential sub-projects in case you plan to apply. For this and further information, contact Dr. Carmen Becker (email: carmen.becker@irw.uni-hannover.de).

Please submit your application including a cover letter summarizing your background and explaining your motivation as well as suitability for the position, a CV, a copy of your master’s degree certificate (including a transcript of records) and a research proposal by January 3, 2025 electronically to