registration number:
fb03-0018-wmz-2025
Entry date: as soon as possible
Application deadline: 2026-01-18
Salary: E 13 TV-H
Duration:
2029-12-31
Volume of employment: part-time (65 %)
The University of Marburg, founded in 1527, offers a variety of excellent programs of study for around 22,000 students and confronts the important topics of our time through excellent research across a broad spectrum of sciences.
The Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Institute for Social Anthropology and Study of Religion, is currently accepting applications for a
Research Assistant (Postdoc)
The position is funded subject to funding approval by third party and offered until 31 December 2029. The starting date is as soon as possible. The position is part-time (65% of regular working hours) with salary and benefits commensurate with a public service position in the state Hesse, Germany (TV-H E 13).
The position is based at the LOEWE Center "DynaRel - Dynamics of Religion: Ambivalent Neighborhoods between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in Historical and Contemporary Constellations,"which researches the diverse and complex religious, cultural, and political dynamics between the three major monotheistic religions. At the center, Goethe University Frankfurt, Philipps University Marburg, and Justus Liebig University Giessen collaborate in interdisciplinary collaboration with international and national partners.
The position is located in a subject area that aims to conduct archaeological, ethnological, religious-historical, and sociological research on spatial neighborhoods in various geographical and historical contexts. Based on theoretical discourses on the cultural significance of space (spatial turn), contact zones, and the ambivalences of socio-cultural proximity, case studies will be used to analyze the topographical and social dimensions of religious-cultural relationships in connection with other facets of neighborhoods.
The subproject advertised here (2.4, PI: Prof. Dr. Edith Franke, Study of Religion) will conduct an empirical study examining the majority and minority constellations in the multi-religious and multi-ethnic Yogyakarta areas of tension and to identify areas of conflict as well as successful coping strategies in dealing with religious diversity. In addition, the influence of state regulatory measures, the impact of increasing Sunni normativity, and the relevance of historical and everyday experience in dealing with religious plurality will be examined.
Tasks:
- Participation in the activities of the LOEWE Center DynaRel e.g., joint events, third-party funding initiatives, workshops, and science communication
- Examination of the following research questions within the framework of the Yogyakarta case study:
- What effects do state regulations on the approval of the construction or renovation of religious buildings have on neighborly interactions between people of different religious affiliations?
- What significance and influence do the religious-historical heritage of the Hindu-Buddhist dynasties, the Christian-influenced colonial power, and inner-Islamic diversity have on the shaping and interaction of religious plurality?
- What significance do references to local Javanese traditions have for coexistence in a religiously pluralistic neighborhood?
- What events (political guidelines, administrative changes, global or regional conflicts) cause tensions to develop between religious communities?
This is a fixed-term project position. The contract is not concluded under Section 2 (1) of the German Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG).
Profile:
- MSc-degree or equivalent in the field of empirical, social, and cultural studies-oriented research on religion, preferably in religious studies/study of religion and a completed doctorate
- Knowledge of theories and issues relating to coexistence in multi-religious societies and interreligious communication
- Very good language skills (English, Indonesian, German B1)
- Knowledge of the religious field in Indonesia
- Research contacts in Indonesia
We offer:
- An interesting and wide range of tasks
- Diverse creative opportunities and personal development opportunities
- Ticket for free use of public transport in the state Hesse, Germany
- Family services (e.g., holiday care)
- Opportunities for further education and training
Contact for more Information Prof. Dr. Edith Franke
+49 6421-28 22480
We support women and strongly encourage them to apply. In areas where women are underrepresented, female applicants will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. As a certified family-friendly university, we support our employees in balancing family and career. A reduction of working time is possible. Applicants with a disability as discribed in SGB IX (§ 2 Abs. 2, 3) will be preferred in case of equal qualifications. Application and interview costs can not be refunded.
Please apply by 18 January 2026, using the application button below.