College of Social Sciences and International Studies

(Ref. No: R11517)
Salary: £31,948 per annum

The College wishes to recruit a Research Fellow to participate in the "Islamic Reformulations: Belief, Violence, Governance" project, a Global Uncertainties Leadership Fellowship awarded to Professor Robert Gleave in the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter. The Islamic Reformulations project comprises two elements: (1) a research project examining the continuities and discontinuities between pre-modern and modern Islamic thought relating to belief, violence and governance, and (2) a wider interdisciplinary study of how religious belief and ideological commitment might constitute a "global uncertainty", and how the relationship between belief and action might best be characterised. The Research Fellow will contribute to both of the project's elements. This ESRC funded post is available 1/10/2012 to 30/9/2014. The successful applicant, working with Professor Gleave, will engage in independent and collaborative research on a topic related to the main element (1) of the Islamic reformulations project work. The Research Fellow will also participate in research activities related to the second element (2) of the project characterising the belief-action relationship, and the potential for belief and ideological commitment to act as a source of global uncertainty.

The post will include conducting research, organising research-related and impact-related events and activities, assisting Professor Gleave in the development of the Islamic reformulations project. The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

The successful applicant will be a nationally recognised authority in Islamic Studies, particularly the relationship between pre-modern and modern Islamic thought, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of doctoral students and act as team leader as required. Applicants will be experienced researchers with a completed PhD in a relevant topic, requisite research skills (including relevant language skills). Previous engagement with the question of how belief and ideology related to action, or question of security and sources of global uncertainty would be an advantage.

Before submitting an application you may wish to discuss the post further by contacting Professor Robert Gleave, Director of the Islamic Reformulations Project, telephone (01392 264025) or email r.gleave@exeter.ac.uk (Professor Gleave is not available between 17th and 26th August).

The closing date for completed applications is 18th September 2012.
The interviews are scheduled on 27th September 2012.

The University of Exeter is an equal opportunity employer which is 'Positive About Disabled People': if you have a disability, you should mention this in your application. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce.