PhD Scholarship in Islamic Intellectual History – “Through the Lens of Sufism: Global Dissemination of Knowledge in Islam”

Job No.: 632252

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 3-year and 3-month fixed-term appointment

Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a Research Living Allowance, at the current value of $30,000AUD per annum 2022 full-time rate (tax-free stipend), indexed plus allowances as per RTP stipend scholarship conditions at: www.monash.edu/graduate-research/study/scholarships/scholarship-policy-and-procedures  A tuition fee scholarship and Single Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) will be provided for a successful international awardee.

The Opportunity

This PhD scholarship is funded as an important part of an Australian Research Council (ARC) funded project, "Through the Lens of Sufism: Global Dissemination of Knowledge in Islam", conducted by Senior Researcher Dr Aydogan Kars . The project investigates the legacy of Sufism on Islamic intellectual history. Through the analysis of authorisations, audition records, biographical dictionaries, and lists of scholarly authorities and indices that are predominantly in manuscript, the project maps the transmissions of major works of Islamic piety and learning throughout the centuries. The outputs of the project will include an open-access public platform where users can locate various sources (books, robes, authorisations) and their dissemination in a global scale within a large pool of texts and transmitters.

The PhD scholarship funds doctoral studies focusing on the examination of Ibn ‘Arabi (1165-1240), his work, heritage, later influence, and/or reception. Accepted students will be expected to have the ability to work on primary source materials to discover new information on Ibn Arabi’s works and/or their later dissemination. The student will enrol in the doctoral program in the Faculty of Arts, and emerge with a PhD benefitting from a well-established national and international network and supervision. The Ibn Arabi Interreligious Research Initiative at Monash will provide a rich space where the doctoral student will immerse in an interdisciplinary scholarly network, and acquire skills in religious studies, intellectual history, digital humanities, and Sufism. The doctoral student will write their dissertation under the supervision of Dr Kars, with the guidance of the IAI Academic Board the International Advisory Board, composed of:

Professor Pablo Beneito, University of Murcia, Spain
Professor William Chittick, Stony Brook University, USA
Dr Jane Clark, Oxford University, UK
Dr Stephen Hirtenstein, Ibn Arabi Society, UK
Professor James Morris, Boston College, USA
Professor Mohammed Rustom, Carleton University, Canada

Undertaking this PhD as part of a larger project has several advantages. First, the successful candidate will be integrated into an already successful research agenda that has been funded by the Australian Research Council and will have access to funding to support fieldwork and conference attendance. Second, the candidate will benefit from expert supervision, and from entering a PhD with a pre-existing structure and active academic and public network. Finally, the candidate will benefit from being part of outcomes from the research, which may include co-authored publications (where the candidate’s contributions will be recognised through co-authorship), funded symposia, school-engagement exercises, and future grant applications.

Monash University is the largest university in Australia and regularly ranks in the top 100 universities worldwide. Monash has six globally networked campuses and international alliances in Europe and Asia. The applicant will be based at the Clayton campus in Melbourne. Religious Studies at Monash is vibrant, and connected to centres like Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (M3CS) and research and engagement projects like Ibn Arabi Interreligious Research Initiative . We have a strong and supportive research culture, led by internationally recognised scholars successful in attracting competitive funding.

Candidate Requirements

This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationality. The successful applicant will have an excellent academic track record.

Applicants will be considered if they meet the following criteria:

• Priority will be given to applicants who hold an Australian (or equivalent international) Honour’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, with a significant research component and with first-class honours/H1 awarded
• A promising doctoral research proposal that will contribute in our understanding of Ibn Arabi and his legacy
• Demonstrable excellence in a non-European language (preferably in Arabic) is a required quality of the candidate

Details of eligibility requirements, including English-language proficiency skills, to undertake a PhD in the Faculty of Arts are available at www.monash.edu/arts/graduate_research/how-to-apply . Applicants should ensure they familiarise themselves with these requirements before deciding whether they should apply. 

During their doctoral studies, the student will be expected to participate in the regular reading group and language study meetings, and to assist with the organisation of international conferences, public events, and workshops to build up their profile and networks.

Scholarship holders must be enrolled full-time and on campus. Please note: applicants who already hold a PhD will not be considered.

The successful applicant will be expected to enrol by 1 December 2022.

Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

EOIs shall comprise:

• A cover letter that includes a brief statement of the applicant’s suitability (max 2 pages)
• A brief research proposal not exceeding 1,000 words in length that fits within the broad project aims and objectives, and demonstrates some understanding of the area of research
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of any published works, conference presentations and relevant work experience (max 2 pages)
• A full statement of academic record, supported by scanned copies of relevant certified documentation
• An English writing sample or a previous master’s/honours thesis of the applicant (min 10 pages)
• Contact details of two academic referees
• Copy of your current passport (if available)

It is important that you contact Dr Aydogan Kars, School of Philosophical, Historical, and International Studies, aydogan.kars@monash.edu prior to submission of the EOI to discuss the project.

Once you have discussed your EOI with Dr Aydogan Kars, EOIs should be sent, in the form of a single attachment to an email, to Ms Kinda Say, Senior Graduate Research Administrator, Faculty of Arts, at the following email address arts-agr-apply@monash.edu . State “EOI [your name] - PhD Scholarship in Islamic Intellectual History – Through the Lens of Sufism” in the subject heading of the email.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (over Zoom or Skype if necessary). The interviews will be conducted in English.

Research Environment: Monash University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Enquiries

Dr Aydogan Kars, School of Philosophical, Historical, and International Studies, aydogan.kars@monash.edu

Closing Date

Friday 20 May 2022, 11.55pm AEST

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