Postdoc Position: Contemporary Arab Thought

Are you a researcher focused on the Arab world? Join this two‑year postdoctoral research project to explore how shifting Arab politics and societies shape 21st‑century intellectual life within a dynamic, interdisciplinary international environment.

Arab societies have witnessed tremendous shifts over the past decade-and-a-half. From the high hopes nurtured during the Arab Spring to the violent wars in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Gaza, the Arab public has experienced a period of immense upheaval.

These societal developments are echoed at the intellectual level. As a younger generation of intellectuals from various backgrounds – writers, artists, podcasters, journalists and academics – is entering the fray, their work will no doubt reflect these experiences. Reacting to the widely sensed disconnect between the intellectuals of the pre-2011 era and the ideals of the revolutions, many are seeking to break with the 20th century debates about how to balance the demands of (Western) modernity with the need to preserve cultural authenticity. Disillusioned by the discrepancy between the West’s liberal, democratic values and its policies in the region, Arabs are looking for alternative ideas and frames for understanding themselves, their societies, and their place in the world.

At the same time, the centres where intellectual work is taking place are shifting. The growing confidence of the Gulf states is translating into state-sponsored cultural projects that attract academics and artists from around the world and specifically from other Arab countries. Additionally, as many from the Arab world have sought refuge abroad, Arab thought is no longer exclusively made in the Arab world. Using modern technologies, it has become easier than ever to build global networks of intellectuals who can enter a common conversation as easily from Berlin as they can from Baghdad.

As a postdoctoral researcher you will research these changes as they are happening. You will look at a particular aspect of contemporary Arab thought since 2011 of your choosing and use it as a lens for taking in the broader developments in intellectual as well as political and social life in the Arab world. In cooperation with the project coordinator, Harald Viersen, you will strive to publish at least one peer-reviewed article exploring this burgeoning field and work towards preparing a grant application that will allow for more in-depth future study.

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of two years.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
Staff and students in the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies reflect on the great challenges of our time, exploring concepts, belief systems and worldviews. In this way they provide philosophical and religious context to the societal debate and contribute to the analysis and solution of major societal challenges. The faculty has over 180 staff, organized in eight academic departments and four support departments. Our academics collaborate in six research centres and teach more than 1,000 students.

Our staff and students are committed. The lines of communication are short and each individual student and staff member is given ample attention. You can find more about our mission and vision on the 'About PTRS' page.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

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You will be embedded in the Department of Islam, Politics and Society; the Center for Religion and Contemporary Society (CRCS); and the Graduate School of Humanities (GSH) of the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies. We are a small, but very active and tight-knit department. The department as well as the research centre organise seminars where our members and invitees are given the opportunity to present and discuss their work on a regular basis and we very much encourage interdisciplinary cooperation, both within and outside our faculty.

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Harald Viersen. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. We look forward to receiving your application.

The first interviews will take place on Friday 24 April 2026. You will preferably start your employment as soon as possible.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.

Do you already work at Radboud University and have questions about making an internal move? Learn more about internal applications.