Germany : 3 Doctoral Stipends:Science of knowledge

Within the Excellence Cluster 264 “TOPOI – The Formation and Transformation of Space and Knowledge in Ancient Civilizations” three doctoral stipends will be offered in various aspects of ‘Wissensgeschichte’, concentrating on the Near East from Antiquity through Middle Ages.

Possible fields of study will include:

1. Cuneiform medicine and magic comprising healing therapies from Mesopotamia or Divination.
2. Babylonian science represented in the Babylonian Talmud.
3. Medieval Arabic and Hebrew traditions on astronomy/astrology and cosmology.   

Other fields of study are welcome, too.

The specific interest of the professorship ‘Wissensgeschichte’ is in Babylonian medicine, magic and divination, as found in cuneiform tablets and in later Aramaic texts in the Babylonian Talmud. Babylonian astrology and mathematics will also feature in the research and teaching programme, as well as the ancient sciences of grammar and lexicography.

The dissertation will be supervised by Prof. Dr. M. J. Geller (Topoi, FU) or by another colleague in the field of Arabic-Hebrew astronomy. The student will also have the opportunity to consult with colleagues in Altorientalistik (Prof. Dr. Eva Cancik-Kirschbaum), Judaistik (Prof. Dr. Tal Ilan), and Iranistik (Prof. Dr. Maria Macuch).  

The candidate will be expected to work within the scope of Topoi and an interdisciplinary framework which will require competence in more than a single field of study.   

The support for the doctoral students lasts up to three years (two years plus one after evaluation). The stipend provides 1.300 Euros a month. There are supplements for family and childcare. Starting date is 01. June 2010.

Profile of candidate requirements

• A Masters degree in a related field of study (e.g. Altorientalistik, Arabistik, Semitistik, Judaistik)
• Proficiency in either Akkadian or Aramaic/Classical Hebrew for options 1 and 2 above, and willingness to acquire additional competence in either Akkadian or Aramaic/Classical Hebrew respectively as necessary for the research
• Proficiency in Classical Arabic and Hebrew for option 3 above, and willingness to acquire additional competence in either Classical Arabic or Hebrew respectively as necessary for the research
• Fluency in German and English
• A general interest in Greek science; some knowledge of Greek is not essential but would be useful
• Willingness to work closely with planned research projects on Mesopotamian Medicine and Talmudic Medicine

Application

Along with the customary application documents (CV, grade transcripts, two letters of recommendations, copy of master thesis), please submit an outline of the intended research oriented towards the proposed project in English or German. Closing date for application is 30. April 2010.

Please submit your application via e-mail (not regular mail) with an indication of the refence number (DS/WiG/01.2010) to: application@topoi.org .

For further information, please contact:

Prof. Dr. Mark Geller ( mark.geller@topoi.org ).

Tentative Application Deadline : 30 April 2010