Call for Applications: Postdoctoral Fellowship in Contemporary Protestant Theology/History of Protestant Christianity

Call for Applications - Postdoc 2026 [English].pdf

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The ERC-funded project Christosemitism: European Christian Anti-Antisemitism, 1945-2020 is offering a postdoctoral fellowship in contemporary Protestant theology/history of Protestant Christianity for up to three years, commencing in October 2026. The project is based at the Department of Comparative Religion at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Successful candidates will join an interdisciplinary team investigating post-1945 Christian resistance to antisemitism in Europe, against the backdrop of interreligious and religious-secular tensions in Europe, as well processes of secularization and Christian globalization. We aim to produce a history of Christian anti-antisemitism in Europe, in light of broader processes that occurred within Western Christianity during the aforementioned period. We welcome candidates from theology and Christian history/Church history, who will conduct research on some aspects (e.g. theological, institutional, liturgical, etc.) of the Protestant discourse on antisemitism after 1945, in Central and/or Northern Europe. The exact focus of the project will be selected by the researcher, in consultation with the project’s principal investigator.

Fellows will collaborate closely with team members from various disciplines, engaging in historiographic and theoretical research. Participation in project workshops and related activities is required, and fellows are expected to contribute to collaborative outputs and produce project-related publications.

Fellowship Terms:

• The fellowship duration is a maximum of three years, subject to an annual review.

• The fellows will receive a monthly stipend of approximately 10,000 NIS, along with additional support for fellows relocating from abroad. Further funding for travel to archives and conferences will be available upon approval.

• Fellows will be provided an office at Mount Scopus Campus in Jerusalem and are expected to be present in the office for three full days per week, dedicating 100% of their time to the project.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must have received their Ph.D. no more than five years before commencing the fellowship. They must submit their doctoral dissertations before the fellowship starts.

Outstanding candidates will be invited to an online interview.

Position Requirements:

1. Excellent proficiency in English

2. Excellent skills in at least one of the following languages: German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, or Danish

3. Proven experience in studying theology and/or Christian history

4. Strong interest in and aptitude for teamwork

Application Process: 

To apply, please submit the following documents in one PDF file:

1. An introduction letter (2-3 pages) describing your academic background and motivation for joining the project.

2. A research outline (1-2 pages) describing your individual project. Themes may include (but are not limited to):

   • antisemitism and/or philosemitism in Protestant theology in Europe since 1945

   • Jewish-Chrisitan dialogue in Europe since 1945

   • Christian activism in the realm of Holocaust memory and/or the struggle against antisemitism

   • juxtapositions of antisemitism and colonialism within contemporary Christian discourse

   • key events and institutions dedicated to Jewish-Christian relations, for example the 500 anniversary of the reformation, Christian commemoration of Kristallnacht, Action Reconciliation Service for Peace, Woche der Brüderlichkeit, etc.

3. Curriculum vitae

4. An abstract of your PhD dissertation

5. A writing sample in English: a dissertation chapter or a paper that has been published or accepted for publication (max 25 pages).

6. The names of two referees, including contact details. Referees will be contacted directly for leading candidates, and will be asked to provide letters of recommendation in a relatively short time.

Please send your applications to Prof. Karma Ben-Johanan at christosemitism@mail.huji.ac.il no later than March 31, 2026.

For further information about the project, please visit: https://www.christosemitism.com. For inquiries about the position, please contact faydras@savion.huji.ac.il.