项目介绍

2026年10月3日

项目介绍

KD博士 · 苏黎世大学

Position Description

At the Chair of Prof. Dr. Johannes Quack.

The successful applicant will join a collegial, dynamic, diverse and internationally oriented team. Our research is ethnographically grounded, theoretically informed and invested in research partnerships with the regions we work in.

About the Project

This project uses an ethnographic approach to explore how the desire for a ‘good life’ and the wish to realise Bildung ideals (understood as a holistic form of self-cultivation) impact the training process and subsequent implementation of skills for ‘philosophical practitioners’. Philosophical practitioners organized internationally in the early 1980s in response to critiques of academic philosophy’s detachment from daily life. They share the conviction that both modern academic philosophy and religious traditions have failed to fulfil their roles in providing moral and spiritual guidance, and in leading people towards reflective, self-formative lives. Our research examines how the ideal of Bildung is shaped, negotiated and implemented by practitioners within an academic education system that has historically privileged disembodied intellectual discourse over embodied praxis. We also explore how epistemic boundaries and institutional distinctions between philosophical and religious forms of knowledge, authority and practice are established. Presumably our research will be in Norway and Austria.

We offer

An innovative and collaborative academic environment, excellent opportunities for research (including financial support), start-up funds to develop your profile and visibility, financial support for the hosting and attendance of conferences and workshops, strong administrative backing, and a motivated and collegial department and faculty interested in academic exchange.

Terms of employment

The position offers attractive working conditions and a salary according to SNSF regulations (80% Position at the University of Zurich). The position is limited to four years.

Your responsibilities

Planning and realization of a PhD project, including ethnographic fieldwork

Organizational and administrative tasks in the framework of the project, contribution to the overall aims of the research project by participating in regular meetings and organizing workshops

Active participation in Department’s activities (colloquia; collaboration in media outreach)

Presentation of research results at workshops and international conferences & Publishing

Collaboration with institutions and relevant stakeholders

Contribution to science communication for a non-academic audience.

Your profile

MA degree in Social Anthropology or related disciplines

Experience with qualitative methods and ethnographic fieldwork, preferably an emerging publication profile

Desired, but not necessary are theoretical and empirical interests in the fields of the anthropology of religion, anthropology of ethics, in European societies and philosophy

High proficiency in English and preferably German

Excellent organizational and communication abilities

Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with the team

For the duration of the contract, weekly presence at the Department is expected during the term.

Information on your application

We are looking forward to your application. Please enclose the following documents:Cover letter with an indication of your research plans

Curriculum Vitae

An electronic copy of your MA Thesis

Copies of your academic degrees

Names and contact details of two referees

Please upload your documents in a single PDF file.

Application deadline: 31.10.2026