The project, “Entangled Universals of transnational Islamic Charity”, a European Research Council-funded Consolidator Grant (ERC-CoG), led by Dr. Radhika Gupta, and hosted by Leiden University’s Institute of Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology, is looking for two PhD candidates, one for research in India, and one for research in Tanzania. The project investigates how transnational Islamic charities are positioning themselves as universalist projects by claiming humanity as their constituency. Islamic charitable networks have increasingly invested in public works to meet the social needs of both Muslims and others. As the lines between charity, philanthropy, humanitarianism and development have become blurred, transnational Islamic charity has become entangled with Western humanitarianism and neoliberal welfare regimes. This raises questions such as: How do Islamic charitable networks rearticulate the category of humanity in efforts to address diverse constituencies and new challenges? How do Islamic charities define and contribute to the public good within globalized neoliberal welfare regimes? How do recipients of aid demonstrate their humanity to meet shifting criteria of worthiness?
To address these questions, the project steps outside the ‘traditional heartland’ of the Islamic world and centers two non-Muslim majority countries in the global south: India and Tanzania. Ethnographic research in these countries will foreground the perspectives of seekers and recipients of aid to understand how sectarian, racial, and caste hierarchies figure in the articulations of humanity by Islamic charities.
What you will do
You will conduct independent ethnographic research in either India or Tanzania, carving out your research topic within the frame of this project.
You will be part of a team comprising two PhD candidates, a postdoctoral researcher, and the principal investigator. The postdoctoral fellow will undertake research on Islamic genealogies of humanity and its cognate concepts. The principal investigator will focus on the linkages through which Islamic charity is scaled up from giving at the ‘local’ level to becoming transnational in scope. The team will collaboratively address the larger theoretical questions posed by the project through reading groups, co-writing projects, and academic and public events. The entire team is expected to reside in the Netherlands and work from Leiden for the duration of the project (till August 2029) except for the fieldwork periods.
Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University.
Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (CADS)
Leiden University's Institute of Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology concentrates on 'global vulnerability and social resilience'. The institute has three main themes: diversity, sustainability, and digitalisation. CADS is dedicated to making a real-world impact, not just studying change, but also working with communities to promote positive change through education and research. We use a unique approach that blends qualitative, quantitative, audiovisual, and digital methods based on ethnographic fieldwork.
With our unique blend of interdisciplinary interests, comparative regional studies, and social science research methods, we emphasize our role in the extensive collaborative network within Leiden University. In both our research and education, we engage in extensive interdisciplinary and international networks.
What you bring
Please apply for these positions if you have:
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
How can you apply
To apply for these positions, please submit
Deadline: 10 September
Online interviews will be held with shortlisted candidates in the last week of September/early October. The intended starting date is February 2025.
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden
What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact: Dr. Radhika Gupta, Assistant Professor at r.gupta@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
You can apply until 10 September 2024; applications will be processed immediately.
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.
Besøg arbejdsgiverens side