Call for Applications
Structured Doctoral Programme “Religion – Knowledge – Discourse”

The Structured Doctoral Programme “Religion – Knowledge – Discourse” at the Humboldt University of Berlin has been established as part of a new initiative for German universities which encourages and rewards academic excellence. Five institutes across three faculties have come together to offer an inter- and transdisciplinary structured doctoral programme for outstanding PhD candidates.
We are now accepting applications for this three year programme, due to begin on 1st April 2014. The programme offers:
• 9 partial scholarships (covering tuition fees and travel costs)
• 1 full scholarship
The programme aims to facilitate an enriching inter- and transdisciplinary research environment. As such we are inviting applications from potential and early-stage PhD candidates from a variety of disciplines. Both German and International applicants are encouraged to apply.
Research proposals should be aimed at an investigation of communicative and discursive processes, within which the categories “Religion” and “Knowledge” become constructed and conventionalised. The relationship between discourses relating to religion and knowledge should be critically analysed with reference to specific contexts.
The programme especially encourages a broad geographical spread of topics, as well as inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. Focus may be placed either on current academic issues or on the period of the late 18th century till present day.
The programme offers:
• A structured curriculum and individual supervision to ensure timely completion of your doctoral research project within three years
• Tailored academic training to complement your individual research area (e.g. methodologies, interdisciplinary approaches etc.)
• Additional courses and workshops in key research competencies hosted by the Humboldt Graduate School
• Regular colloquia and group mentoring in self-organizing working groups
• Opportunities for continuous academic exchange and international networking, e.g. through participation in conferences
• A compulsory 3-12 month research stay abroad (e.g. for fieldwork)
• Opportunities to develop and strengthen skills important in the field of academia (e.g. organizing a conference or workshop, holding a lecture)
Course fees will be covered for all programme participants. The possibility for covering costs incurred through conference participation and/or the compulsory research stay abroad may be provided by the programme if no external funding is available.
Programme participants are encouraged to independently secure funding for the duration of the programme. Failing this, our programme offers support to participants in identifying potential scholarships or funding opportunities.
One full-time scholarship of €1.365 p.m. (plus €103 material allowance) is awarded to a promising candidate for the programme’s duration from April 2014 – March 2017. Please indicate in your application whether you would like to be considered for this scholarship. If so, you may also voluntarily refer to your financial situation in your personal statement.
Eligibility
• Graduates or early stage doctoral candidates must hold a university degree that formally qualifies them to matriculate as a PhD student within their desired field. This usually entails having a Masters level qualification in a similar area to which the doctoral candidate intends to write his/her thesis.
• The working language of the programme is English. For non-native speakers, a proof of proficiency (level: C1) is required. The PhD-thesis may, however, be written in either German or English. If you are planning on writing the thesis in German and you are a non-native speaker, a proof of proficiency is also required (DHS 2). If other language skills are required for conducting your research (e.g. Arabic, Hebrew etc.), a proof of proficiency must also be provided.
Application requirements
The following documents must be included in your application:
• Research proposal
• Personal Statement
• Curriculum Vitae
• Copy of Master’s (or equivalent) degree
• A recent academic reference or letter of recommendation
• Proof of language proficiency (see above)
• Statement of current secured funding and/or future scholarship opportunities (or equivalent grants)
• If you have already found a supervisor who is not affiliated with this programme, please include a statement from them concerning your research proposal
Please note that if your records and/or transcripts have not been issued in German or English, an officially translated copy needs to be included.
Applications should be submitted no later than 31th January 2014 to:
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Theologische Fakultät
Lehrstuhl für Religionswissenschaft
Programmkoordination RWD
-z.Hd. Dominika Hadrysiewicz-
Unter den Linden 6
10099 Berlin
Germany

or via:
dominika.hadrysiewicz[at]hu-berlin.de

For further information or questions on the programme and the application process, please contact the Programme Coordinator:
dominika.hadrysiewicz[at]hu-berlin.de
For further content-related questions please contact the programme’s spokesman, Prof. Dr. Andreas Feldtkeller:
andreas.feldtkeller[at]hu-berlin.de