Postdoc in Migration Studies (2 years)

We invite applications from candidates who, during two years as a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, wishes to develop their independence as a researcher and contribute to our work and the reseach project Faith-Based Refugee Relief in Europe: Connecting the Empirical and the Ethical.

Workplace

The position is located at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies, within the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology at Lund University.

Description of the Research Field

This postdoctoral position in migration studies is connected to the project “Faith-Based Refugee Relief in Europe: Connecting the Empirical and the Ethical (FABRIC)”, funded by a Starting Grant from the European Research Council.

FABRIC investigates the role of faith-based organisations in refugee relief across Europe. The aim is to understand the moral ideas and the moral insights that Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith-based organisations develop when working with people on the move who have been forced to flee. FABRIC compares how faith-based organisations work both in mono- and in multi-religious settings. By studying their practical work, FABRIC aims to bridge the gap between empirical and ethical perspectives in research on forced migration. A central question is how faith-based organisations practice justice, i.e. what are the conditions, constraints and consequences of their work. FABRIC aims to conceptualise a new understanding of justice that considers cross-connections between social, racial, and climate justice on regional, national, and global scales.

More information on the project can be found here: FABRIC | Faith-Based Refugee Relief in Europe: Connecting the Empirical & the Ethical.

Work duties and areas of responsibility

FABRIC’s team consist of a project leader (PI) plus two postdoctoral and two doctoral researchers. Candidates for this postdoctoral position are expected to conduct data collection with faith-based refugee relief organisations across Europe, combining semi-structured interviews with participant observation. They contribute to the development of FABRIC’s theoretical framework. They present the results of their research at national and international conferences and publish or co-publish at least three articles. They contribute to the organisation of colloquia and conferences.

Additionally, candidates for this postdoctoral position are expected to contribute to the research environment in Global Christianity and Interreligious Relations at the Centre for Theology and Religious Studies through active participation in research-related activities. The duties require regular attendance at the workplace.

Teaching, supervision and other teaching-related duties may be involved within the framework of the position, but for not more than 20% of working hours.

What we offer

As a postdoc you are given an opportunity to develop your independence as a researcher with support from more senior colleagues. The appointment is limited to two years and is full time in accordance with the Agreement regarding fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow. We support you in your move to Sweden. If you have a family, they will find new contacts and support through Lund’s International Citizen Hub Lund.

Lund University is a public authority which means that you receive special benefits, generous annual leave and a favourable occupational pension. The University applies individual salary-setting. Read more about being employed at Lund University here:  Work at Lund University | Lund University.

Ready to shape the future of research? Find more reasons why Lund University and the HT Faculties is right for you here, and learn more about Working in Lund, Moving to Lund and Living in Lund.

Qualifications

Requirements for the position are:

• Ph.D. or an international degree deemed equivalent in migration studies, theology or religious studies. This requirement must be fulfilled no later than the date when the employment decision is made, and as an applicant, you are responsible for supplementing your application with documentation that confirms the completed doctoral degree. The supplement should be emailed to Head of Department, Hege Markussen (for email address, see the University website: Hege Irene Markussen | Centre for Theology and Religious Studies).  The position is a career development post, and its purpose is to act as an initial step on a career path. The candidate most likely to come into question is one who has completed a doctoral degree no more than three years prior to the application deadline. If there are special circumstances such as leave of absence because of illness, parental leave, position as elected representative in trade union organisations, military service or service/assignments relevant to the subject area, this time can be deducted from the time elapsed since the doctoral degree was completed. 

• Research experience that demonstrates strong skills in the application of qualitative empirical methods.
• A strong publication record, commensurate with career stage.
• Advanced proficiency in English.
• You have not previously been employed as a postdoc researcher under 
  this agreement for more than one year in the same or a related subject area 
  with Lund University.

Assessment criteria

• Good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research.
• Teaching skills.

The main criterion for a postdoctoral fellowship is research expertise. Only applicants whose research statement and earlier work can strengthen the research environment will be considered for employment as a postdoc. If you have undergone teaching and learning in higher education training equivalent to two weeks in accordance with the Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions’ recommendations, you are deemed to have teaching skills. If the person appointed does not possess this, or equivalent training, and if teaching is part of the work duties, such training is to be offered within the framework of the position.

Desired qualifications

• Experience with faith-based refugee relief.
• Familiarity with the research fields of political and public theology.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary and international research collaborations.
• Experience of organizing academic conferences.
• Familiarity with the study of interreligious relations.
• Experience of public engagement.

How to apply

Your application should be written in English or Swedish.

As part of your application, you are to attach a a research statement of no more than 3000 words (including references) that describes previous and potential research activities, with a particular focus on how you can contribute to FABRIC. Please note that you should not attach a project plan with a proposal for your own project.

In addition to the research statement, you should attach:

• CV
• a copy of the Ph.D. certificate
• a copy of the Ph.D. thesis (electronically)
• a list of publications (including DOI, ISBN or ISSN number)
• up to three additional relevant publications (electronically)