Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Study of Religion

Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion

Organisation/Company: University of Bergen

Department: Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion

Research Field: Religious sciences

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions: Postdoc Positions

Country: Norway

Application Deadline: 22 Apr 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Oslo)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

UiB - Knowledge that shapes society

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the Study of Religion for a research project on strong individual commitment in ancient forms of Christianity, commencing 01.01.2026, or as agreed upon. The position is for a fixed-term period of three years.

The position is earmarked for research on ancient Christian poetry from its emergence to the 6th century CE.

This is the first of three postdoctoral positions that will be advertised connected to the RADHEART project. The successful applicant will become part of a large and dynamic research environment focused on the ancient world at the department and a closely collaborating research group that works on individual commitment in radical ancient religion. The successful applicant will get the chance to interact with top scholars in the field, attend conferences and have research stays.

About the RADHART project:

RADHEART: Radical Habits of the Heart: Emotions, Embodiment, and Strong, Individual Commitment in Ancient Religions, an ERC Consolidator Grant led by Laura Feldt.

The project focuses on the role of emotions and embodiment in strong, individual commitment in the ancient world and analyses how emotionally intense, strong religious commitments (i.e., radical habits of the heart) are expressed and cultivated in Jewish and Christian formative traditions across the three axes of textuality, mediality, and practice. The project advances an innovative theoretical framework that combines the aesthetics of religion, experience-oriented anthropology, and forward-oriented philology. The research group will be using perspectives from the aesthetics of religion, experience-oriented anthropology and forward-oriented philological methods.

The postdoctoral fellow will work both as part of a research team and independently. The successful candidate is expected to develop and execute their own research project on early Christian poetry in ways that contribute to the overall research project. This includes engaging the project's hypotheses, concepts, theoretical framework and methods, and contributing to meeting the project's goals and securing the deliverables.

The postdoctoral fellow will publish scientific works, present research at scientific conferences and give talks to the general public. It is expected that the postdoc will contribute to planning project workshops, conferences, and other events; that they will carry out research on specific case studies and work with the project team to develop our project further, participate in writing retreats and social events, contribute to organizing tasks, and otherwise collaborate with the PI Laura Feldt, including co-editing a scholarly anthology of relevance to their own project with the PI.

About the postdoctoral position:

The postdoctoral position aims to enable the appointed candidate to develop a research profile and competencies that qualify them to apply for a position as associate professor.

The successful applicant must prepare a career plan that specifies the competencies the postdoctoral fellow is expected to acquire. The duration of the postdoctoral position is three years.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• The applicant must hold a Norwegian PhD or an equivalent foreign degree in the study of religion/history of religion/religious studies or a closely related and relevant research field. The doctoral dissertation must have been submitted for evaluation within the closing date of application. The PhD degree must be obtained prior to appointment.
• The applicant must have expertise in ancient Christian studies, proficiency in Greek and/or Latin (proficiency in both will be considered an advantage) and documented interest in the general, comparative study of religion. Expertise in poetry will be considered an advantage. This can be documented by e.g., publications, teaching experience or coursework.
• The applicant must be able to work independently in a well-structured manner and have strong cooperation skills.
• The applicant must be proficient in both written and oral English.

The applicant must provide a project proposal that relates to the RADHEART project description (which can be obtained via email to PI Laura Feldt: laura.feldt@uib.no), including a progress plan for the postdoctoral project's main activities, and a plan for publishing results in recognized international channels.

In assessing the applications, the academic quality and feasibility of the proposed project and the academic qualifications of the candidate will be considered. Further emphasis is placed on strategic considerations, motivation, and the applicant's personal eligibility.

We can offer:

• A stimulating and professionally challenging work environment.
• Gross annual salary of NOK 645 000 for a full-time position (code 1352). Further salary increases will be based on seniority in the position.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Applications must be sent electronically via the link "APPLY FOR THIS JOB". Applicants are required to use the electronic CV form. The application must include:

• A cover letter (2-3 pages) describing your general research interests, expertise and motivation, and how these make you a good fit for this postdoctoral position in the RADHEART project.
• A project proposal of up to five pages/12,000 characters, when bibliography is not included. The project proposal must describe the proposed research project, the research questions, the research background or state of the art, theory, method, and the selected empirical material, etc. Bibliography for the proposed project.
• A progress plan for the proposed project, as well as a plan for publishing results in recognized international channels.
• CV.
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees, and diploma for the PhD or documentation showing that the thesis has been submitted for assessment.
• A short summary of the PhD thesis (max. three pages).
• Full list of any scientific work (publication list).
• Up to five academic works (may include theses, monographs and articles) that are to be given special consideration in the assessment of your academic qualifications.
• Relevant certificates/references and documentation of the applicant's expertise in ancient Christian studies and relevant philological proficiency.
• The names and contact information for two referees. One of these must be the main supervisor for the PhD thesis.

The application and attachments must be in Norwegian, another Scandinavian language or English. Documents in other languages must be accompanied by certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language. Please ensure that all attachments are in either Word or PDF format and are uploaded to Jobbnorge within the application deadline.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.

It is a requirement that the postdoctoral project is completed during the period of employment.

Candidates cannot be employed as a postdoctoral fellow for more than one fixed term period at the same institution.

The postdoctoral position demands that the applicant has their regular workplace at the University of Bergen and comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting the PI of the RADHEART project, Dr. Laura Feldt at laura.feldt@uib.no or the Head of Department, Professor Teemu Sakari Ryymin at teemu.ryymin@uib.no, phone: +47 55 58 38 79.

Questions or inquiries about the electronic application process can be directed to the Faculty of Humanities: fakadm@hf.uib.no.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions. Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of applicants. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage men to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Department of Archaeology, History, Cultural Studies and Religion

Country: Norway

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