Are you eager to study the intersections of food, migration, and religion? Do you seek to develop an innovative research project that furthers academic debates in these fields? Then join us as a PhD candidate and research migrant Muslim foodways. 

Scholars exploring Muslim food practices have been mostly concerned with the rules and rituals that make food permissible for consumption. This focus has been particularly prominent in studies of Muslims in minority or migratory contexts, where distinguishing lawful from unlawful food is both a pressing and challenging concern. And yet, the attention to ’halal food’ elides other ways that food matters in Muslim's everyday lives. To address this lacuna, we are looking for a PhD candidate to develop an innovative research project that will offer a new perspective on migrant Muslim foodways, investigating the social significance of Muslims' culinary habits in migratory contexts.

We are interested in projects centred around two interrelated questions: How does food mediate social encounters in diverse migratory contexts? And how do such exchanges impact Muslims' practices and beliefs? Under this framework, we invite you to identify your own research questions, theoretical lens, methodological tools, and case studies.

Temporally, projects should be situated in the present. Geographically, projects that foreground the Middle East, Europe, or migrants to/from these regions will be given priority. Methodologically, projects should largely utilise qualitative methods such as interviews and ethnographic fieldwork. Theoretically, projects will primarily engage scholarship focused on Islam and religion, diaspora and migration, and food - even as it extends to fields beyond these.

You will devote 75% of your time to conducting research and writing your PhD thesis. The remaining 25% will be spent on training and academic service to the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies, including 10% teaching. As part of your professional development, you will regularly participate in international workshops and conferences. With the assistance of Radboud University's research office, you will also apply for grants to support fieldwork and research expenses.

The project is funded by a starter grant awarded by the Faculty of Philosophy, Theology, and Religious Studies to Dr Joud Al Korani.

• You have an MA degree in religious studies, anthropology, migration studies, or another discipline related to your project (or will obtain this degree before July 2024).
• You have a demonstrated interest in food and food-related practices.
• You have the necessary background knowledge, technical skills, and language competence to complete your proposed project.
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English and, ideally, proficiency in at least one additional language.
• You have a clear and persuasive style of writing.
• You have excellent research and analytical skills.
• You are able to work independently and as a member of team.

Fixed-term contract: You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).

• Employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,770 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,539 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

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.

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. You will be supervised by Dr Joud Al Korani, Karin van Nieuwkerk (promotor), and a third supervisor (to be assigned in relation to your specific project). The Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies is a compact, ambitious division with approximately 180 staff and over 1,000 students from the Netherlands and abroad. Our curriculum includes several top-notch degree programmes in both in-depth disciplinary fields of study and interdisciplinary and interfaculty studies. The faculty has innovative education and research programmes with a strong focus on current societal issues. Our faculty is committed to equal opportunities for all. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity contributes to the quality of teaching and research. We therefore particularly welcome staff from different backgrounds, whose perspectives and alternative ways of thinking may contribute to the diversity of our faculty.


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.
 
If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.