PhD Position: Anthropological Study on Interreligious Dialogue in Morocco
A fully funded PhD position conducting ethnographic research on interreligious dialogue and Jewish-Muslim heritage in Morocco.
Best for:Anthropology or Religious Studies graduates with strong ethnographic skills and proficiency in French or Arabic.
Overview
The Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology and the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven are inviting applications for a doctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary project titled 'Interreligious Dialogue between Promise and Power'. The successful candidate will conduct extensive ethnographic fieldwork in Southern Morocco, investigating how Jewish-Muslim encounters and religious diversity are negotiated in educational and community settings. This project aims to critically examine the power dynamics and historical assumptions underpinning contemporary interreligious dialogue. The researcher will be part of a collaborative team and will benefit from co-supervision between KU Leuven and the Université Internationale de Rabat. The position offers a supportive environment for academic development, including opportunities for publishing and presenting research findings.
What you'll do
- Design and execute qualitative ethnographic research on interreligious dialogue and Jewish-Muslim relations in Morocco.
- Conduct extended periods of fieldwork in Southern Morocco, including in heritage sites and educational institutions.
- Analyze how local actors negotiate narratives of tolerance, coexistence, and religious diversity.
- Publish scientific articles and complete a doctoral dissertation within the project framework.
- Present research findings at national and international academic conferences.
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary research team on academic, logistical, and administrative tasks.
- Provide teaching assistance or support departmental tasks for 10% of the contract duration.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in Anthropology, Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, Religious Studies, Qualitative Sociology, or a related discipline.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English (excellent proficiency); French and/or Arabic (mastery required).
Instruction: English
- Strong experience with qualitative and ethnographic research methods.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in French, Moroccan Arabic (Darija), or Standard Arabic.
- Ability to conduct extended fieldwork in Morocco for 6-month durations.
- Capacity to navigate sensitive social and political contexts with nuance and diplomacy.
- Must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field.
- Must be willing to reside in Morocco for extended fieldwork periods.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-16
Submit a motivation letter (max two pages), a curriculum vitae, and a writing sample (such as a course paper, thesis chapter, or published article). Applications should be prepared in accordance with the instructions provided by the department.
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Writing sample
Contact
Create a free profile to unlock your personal match score, the full requirements, funding details and how to apply — in English or Persian.