Two Positions: PhD/Postdoc in Faculty of Humanities, LIAS, The Netherlands

Two positions: *PhD and/or Post-Doc* (9-104)

Faculty of Humanities, Institute for Area Studies The Leiden Institute for Area Studies (LIAS) is responsible for researchers who are active in the fields of relations with East, South and Central and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The Institute is divided into a School for Asian Studies and a School for Middle Eastern Studies. A multidisciplinary approach which comprises both the modern and the traditional periods is typical for the teaching and research within this Institute, whereby the knowledge of the source language is essential. The research of the approximately 75 staff members (including 20 professors) brings together the study of such subjects as history, law, economy, literature, religion and philology of the areas mentioned, both in the present day and in ancient times.
Starting September 2009 (or later if necessary) the Leiden Institute for Area Studies has two full time (38 hrs) vacancies, available as 4 year PhD positions and/or 3 year Post-Doctoral fellowships.


Project description
Applicants should work in the study of Buddhism. In principle any sub-field is possible, but preference will be given to those those working on pre-modern topics, and South Asia in particular.

Applicants for a *PhD position*
Tasks:
- The writing of a PhD dissertation on a topic to be agreed with thepromotor;
- publishing research results in the form of (an) article(s) and/or books;
- presenting papers at (international) conferences;
- participation in local research meetings and PhD teaching;
- organizing roundtable meetings and conferences in the framework of the research project.

Requirements:
- an MA, M.Phil or equivalent degree in a relevant field;
- research knowledge of the language(s) necessary for the project;
- fluency in English (spoken and written) and competence in other relevant modern languages;
- ability to work independently.

*Post-Doctoral Fellowship* applicants should have a demonstrably excellent academic track record in Buddhist Studies, and hold a PhD in Buddhist Studies, or its equivalent. They should have an excellent command of English
and be prepared to present their research results in English. Finally we expect applicants to be willing and able to teach a small number of courses on topics within their area of specialization.

Conditions of employment
The position of the Postdoctoral fellow is temporary, max. three years with a full-time appointment (38 hours per week). The position of PhD-fellow (‘promovendus’) is temporary, max. four years with a full-time appointment,
and with an initial 18-month trial period.

The salary is determined in accordance with the current scales as set out in the collective labor agreement for the Dutch universities (CAO):
Postdoctoral fellow: min. € 2.379, max. € 4.374
PhD fellow: min. € 2.042 - max. € 2.612

More information
For more information about the two positions please contact Prof. dr. J.A
, email j.a.silk-at-hum.leidenuniv.nl

Application
*PhD candidates* please send your application (in English), including:
• a cover letter stating your motivation for this position,
• a CV
• copies of your academic transcripts (or Dutch cijferlijst),
• a writing sample (such as your MA thesis), and
• two references.

*Post-doc candidates* please send your application (in English), including:
• a cover letter stating your motivation for this position,
• a CV,
• copies of your academic transcripts,
• a printed copy of your PhD thesis and other relevant publications, and
• three references.
Please send your application indicating the application number (9-104) to the address below before the deadline of 15 July 2009:

Faculteit der Geesteswetenschappen afdeling Personeel en Organisatie
t.a.v. mw. M. Bipat, kamer 2.41
Postbus 9515
2300 RA LEIDEN

Applicants are encouraged to send an additional electronic copy of the
application package to: vacature-at-hum.leidenuniv.nl