The Käte Hamburger Kolleg "Dynamics in the History of Religions between Asia and Europe" at Ruhr Universtiy Bochum (Germany) has opened the application process for fellowships in the academic year 2015/16.

From now on it invites applications for research fellowships for scholars, who are working on some aspect of religion and the senses in intra- and inter-religious encounter during the academic year October 2015 - September 2016.

There has been an increasing amount of scholarship on religion and the senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, etc.) that deals with how patterns of religious experience, senses and material objects affect each other mutually. Some scholars have examined how places, buildings, objects, bodies, supernatural beings and forces charged with religious meaning can influence sensory experiences, or the ways in which senses root religious experience in the physiological realm. Others have investigated how humans imbue the senses with religious import by assigning them symbolic significance. Part of our endeavor is to understand the processes of attributing religious meaning to the senses. All approaches are welcome, however, the most successful applicants will present projects which address the intersection of the senses and religious encounter, primarily within Asia and Europe .
There are no chronological restrictions.

Scholars from all disciplines with a relevant project are very welcome to apply.

What we can offer:
- time and space for research in an high-quality interdisciplinary environment;
- up to EURO 70,000 (seventy thousand gross rate) as a grant or as a salary for the fellow’s substitute at her/his home institution;
- excellent infrastructure (location of Bochum Campus in Germany, libraries, inter-library loan etc.);
- approved travel expenses related to research activities;
- means for organizing congresses or workshops, subject to approval.

What we expect:
- research relating to the senses in intra- and interreligious encounter;
- your residence and regular presence during the fellowship term;
- your committed participation in the activities of the Käte Hamburger Kolleg;
- substantial research results in the form of publications.

Requirements:
Applicants must at least hold a Ph.D.

Application:
The Ruhr University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women and members of minorities to apply. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, a current CV, including a list of publications, and an exposé of the intended research (approximately 5 pages). Application materials should be submitted by e-mail only.

Please send your application before March 15, 2015 to Dr. Beate Hofmann: beate.hofmann@rub.de

Further Information:
For further more detailed information about the program of the Käte Hamburger Kolleg
“Dynamics in the History of Religions” visit: http://www.khk.ceres.rub.de/en