Doctoral Candidate (m/f/x)

In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time (29.8725 hours/week = 75%) 01.07.2026, we are looking for 1

Doctoral Candidate (m/f/x) The Center for Religious Studies (CERES) is a central academic institution at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). CERES shoots and coordinates religion-related activities in research, teaching, early-career development, and knowledge transfer. CERES is a Central Research Unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. It currently brings together over 50 researchers, which makes it one of the largest centers for the comparative study of religion in Europe.The CRC 1475 “Metaphors of Religion: Religious Meaning-Making in Language Use” and its subproject A05 ‘Stairway to Heaven: Liminal Spaces in Early South Asian Sacred Architecture’ are searching for a doctoral candidate to carry out research on South Asian Buddhist and Hindu art and architecture. The CRC 1475 is an interdisciplinary research network comprising of 19 subprojects and more than 40 scholars. The CRC combines research in religious studies, diverse philologies, computational linguistics, art history and theater studies on the significance of metaphors for the formation of religious meaning-making. Based on a historically wide-ranging corpus, the CRC comparatively analyzes metaphors across tradition seeking as Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Its research is strongly collaborative, grounded in a shared digital infrastructure and a common methodological and theoretical framework. Further details can be found at https://sfb1475.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/ The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany's leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting 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.

Subproject A05 investigates the metaphorical significance of liminal spaces—such as staircases, doorways, thresholds, and gateways—in early South Asian Buddhist and Hindu sacred architecture (3rd c. BCE–6th c. CE). It examines how these elements act as practical and metaphorical thresholds shaping religious experience, mediating access to the sacred, and identifying identity and authority. By analysing their visual and spatial settings, the project examines the relationship between materiality and metaphor in three-dimensional religious environments. The Ph.D. candidate (m/f/x) is the main project team member and will carry out the core research of the subproject and the direction of Prof. Dr. Jessie Pons. The successful candidate will be associated with the CRC's Graduate School of Metaphor and Religion (GSMR) and will benefit from structured supervision, integrated research training and funded opportunities for research activities abroad. Compile and document the corpus of architectural case (including fieldwork in Europe, India, and Pakistan) Conduct in-depth analysis of the corpus Write a doctoral dissertation (to be published as a monograph) Participate in the GSMR curriculum Contribute to CRC working groups and workshops

MA in South Asian Art/Archaeology or a related field Interest in conceptual metaphor theory and religious studies Interest in Digital Humanities Willingness to contribute to academic and presentations Very good knowledge of English or German, and a willingness to learn a language in the field of research

ZWE CERES: South Asian religious history The position is subject to a pending commitment from the German Research Foundation (DFG) expected in mid-May 2026. The position of research associate (TV-L E 13) is to be filled for 42 months starting on July 1st, 2026. Scope: part-time Duration: fixed-term, 31.12.2029 (end of the project) Start: 01.07.2026 We offer: An interdisciplinary research environment including colleagues from art history, religious studies, philology, computational linguistics, and digital humanities The opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in a structured graduate program with strong support Flexible and family-friendly working conditions Professional development, mentoring, and training The opportunity to join one of the largest universities in Germany, embedded in the University Alliance Ruhr Further information: The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the countries (TV-L).If the staff and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L. Further information can be found at https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ (in German). The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum. If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no obligation.

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 preservation. 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).https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en 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. 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 the individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum explicitly requests job applications from women. In areas in which You are underrepresented You will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome. .