Postdoctoral Researcher – Interreligious Dialogue, Power and Global Discourses – KU Leuven

Research Opportunity: Postdoctoral Researcher – Interreligious Dialogue, Power and Global Discourses – KU Leuven

• Institution: KU Leuven

• Academic Unit / Department: Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies

• Reference Number: BAP-2026-572

• Position: Postdoctoral Researcher – Interreligious Dialogue, Power and Global Discourses

• Appointment Type: Part-Time, 0.75 FTE

• Contract Duration: 3 Years

• Research Areas: Interreligious Dialogue, Religious Diversity, Religion and Power, Secularism, Coloniality, Discourse Analysis

• Salary / Remuneration: Competitive compensation according to KU Leuven pay scales; exact amount not specified

• Location: Leuven, Belgium

• Application Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 23:59 CET

Overview of the Opportunity

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven invites applications for a three-year postdoctoral research position focusing on the global genealogies, discourses, and power dynamics of interreligious dialogue.

The researcher will lead a work package examining how international organisations, Christian churches, and global Islamic organisations have framed interreligious dialogue in relation to religious diversity, violence, extremism, citizenship, and social cohesion.

The project also investigates how contemporary interreligious dialogue may reproduce, transform, or challenge colonial, Christian, and secular normative frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on the genealogies and global discourses of interreligious dialogue.

• Build an international corpus of:

  • Policy documents

  • Ecclesiastical texts

  • Documents from international religious organisations

• Analyse material using Discourse-Historical Analysis and qualitative research methods.

• Use qualitative data analysis tools such as NVivo where relevant.

• Develop an independent research agenda within the objectives of the project.

• Publish findings in international peer-reviewed journals.

• Lead the work package on global interreligious dialogue discourse analysis.

• Coordinate planning and research progress with project leaders.

• Contribute to the theoretical and conceptual development of the wider project.

• Co-lead the comparative synthesis of the project's different work packages.

• Provide methodological and substantive guidance to doctoral researchers.

• Present findings at international conferences.

• Develop an international research network.

• Participate in seminars, workshops, and other academic activities.

• Undertake faculty service for up to 10% of working time.

Research Focus

The project examines interreligious dialogue as both a global discourse and local practice, with particular attention to:

• Religious diversity

• Religious conflict

• Social cohesion

• Religious violence and extremism

• Citizenship

• Christian normativity

• Secular governance

• Colonial legacies

• Religion and power

• Comparative religious discourse

The postdoctoral researcher will also help connect the global discourse analysis with ethnographic research conducted in Flanders and Morocco.

Qualifications & Candidate Profile

Applicants should:

• Hold a Ph.D. by the start of the project in one of the following or a related field:

  • Religious Studies

  • Social Sciences

  • Social and Cultural Anthropology with a focus on religion

  • Theology

• Demonstrate a strong research profile.

• Show clear research interest in:

  • Interreligious dialogue

  • Religious diversity

  • Religion and secularism

  • Coloniality

  • Power

• Have experience with qualitative research.

• Demonstrate an international publication record appropriate to career stage.

• Be capable of independently designing and conducting research.

• Be comfortable working within an interdisciplinary and international research team.

• Possess strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills.

• Be willing to contribute to supervision of doctoral researchers.

• Have excellent spoken and written English.

Knowledge of Dutch is an asset but is not required.

Preferred Research Skills

Particular advantages include experience with:

• Discourse Analysis

• Discourse-Historical Analysis

• NVivo

• Qualitative Data Analysis

• Ethnographic Research

Appointment & Research Support

The position offers:

• 0.75 FTE appointment

• Three-year contract

• Competitive salary according to KU Leuven pay scales

• Research budget for:

  • National and international conferences

  • Workshops

  • Training programmes

• Opportunity to develop an independent research profile

• Active role in an international interdisciplinary research project

• Collaboration with doctoral researchers and international partners

The project is led by Prof. Dr. Marianne Moyaert and Prof. Dr. Nadia Fadil.

Application Checklist

Applications should contain only the following:

1. Cover Letter – maximum 2 pages

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Two Samples of Academic Writing

Application Process

• Reference: BAP-2026-572

• Application Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 23:59 CET

• Application Link: http://www.kuleuven.be/eapplyingforjobs/light/60744189

• Location: Leuven, Belgium

Research Contact:

• Prof. Dr. Marianne Moyaert – marianne.moyaert@kuleuven.be

• Prof. Dr. Nadia Fadil – nadia.fadil@kuleuven.be

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