Research Associate

Center for Religious Studies (CERES):
History of South Asian Religions

In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for a

Research Associate (Postdoctoral Position, m/f/x)

The Center for Religious Studies (CERES) is a central academic institution at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). CERES initiates and coordinates religion-related activities in research, teaching, early-career development, and knowledge transfer. The position is associated with the Chair for the History of South Asian Religions (Prof. Jessie Pons). Research at the chair focuses on the relationship between religion and materiality in South Asia, with particular emphasis on Buddhism in Gandhara. The successful candidate will join the chair's research team and contribute to both research and teaching in this area.

Scope:

full-time

Duration:

fixed-term, 5 years

Start:

at the earliest possible date

Apply by:

Your tasks:

• Conduct independent research within the scope of the chair's focus.
• Contribute to teaching in the Religious Studies programs according to the position's scope, with the ability and willingness to teach in both German and English.
• Participate actively in the academic life of the chair and CERES, including colloquia, conferences, publications, funding proposals, and public outreach.
• Contribute to academic self-governance, including service on committees and working groups within CERES.

Your profile:

• A completed PhD in Religious Studies or a closely related field relevant to South Asian religious traditions (e.g. art history, archaeology, heritage studies), ideally complementing the chair's expertise in Buddhism.
• Demonstrated philological competence, with proficiency in one South Asian language.
• A strong interdisciplinary profile.
• Interest in pursuing a postdoctoral qualification in the research area of the chair.
• Excellent written and spoken English and the willingness to acquire sufficient proficiency in German within the first two years of employment.
• High reliability, teamwork skills, initiative, and excellent organizational abilities.
• Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative, research-driven environment.

We offer:

• Support in combining family life and work (including childcare arrangements/holiday offers/

• A supportive, collegial and team-oriented working environment

• A vibrant international research community with ample opportunities for academic and professional development

Further information:

The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.

Further information can be found at (in German).

The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.

The load of teaching will be calculated according to § 3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia).

Applications including the usual documents (CV, cover letter, research project description, and contact information for two referees) should be submitted by 30 November

RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.

German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF).

The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany's leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum's declared aim.

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.

Contact persons for further information:

Prof. Dr. Jessie Pons , Tel.:

Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.

We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5135.

Online application