Guru Nanak Junior Research Fellow

Wolfson College, a postgraduate college of the University of Oxford, proposes to appoint one stipendiary Junior Research Fellow in the culture of the Punjab from c. 1450 CE to the present with particular reference to the teachings of and the traditions established by Guru Nanak.

Oxford has a rich history of engagement with the Indian subcontinent and a bustling academic life related to both the traditions and the present of South Asia. With the excellent library facilities of the Bodleian Library, which includes the former Indian Institute Library, and the outstanding collection of Indian objects in the Ashmolean Museum and various degree courses on South Asia, the academic field flourishes in Oxford. Furthermore, the University has a large body of staff and students with close links to Punjab.

Wolfson College is one of the Oxford colleges with the highest concentration of expertise on South Asia. Current experts on the field include Nikita Sud, Professor of Politics of Development; Nayanika Mathur, Professor of Anthropology and South Asian Studies; John Lowe, Associate Professor of Sanskrit; Imre Bangha, Associate Professor of Hindi. Beyond South Asia, Wolfson has a wide range of expertise in Asian studies as well. Furthermore, Wolfson has a high number of students from South Asia or with roots in South Asia. Additionally, Wolfson has hosted and supported several conferences organised by the Punjab Research Group (UK), the internationally most developed research group on Punjab (whose Director is Prof. Pritam Singh).

To further strengthen research on Punjab and to offer a scholarly home within a dynamic community of South Asian scholars, Wolfson College is seeking to appoint an outstanding scholar to a stipendiary Junior Research Fellowship in in the culture of the Punjab from c. 1450 CE to the present with particular reference to the teachings of and the traditions established by Guru Nanak. The Fellowship will be based in Oxford.

Main tasks of the Fellowship

• to undertake research related to the culture of the Punjab from c. 1450 CE to the present with particular reference to the teachings of and the traditions established by Guru Nanak;
• to publish in any disciplinary or interdisciplinary field of humanities and/or social sciences;
• to participate actively in the academic life of the College, including organisation of events related to the field of their expertise;
• to act as College Advisor to a number of Wolfson students;
• to conduct some tutorial teaching and lecturing if an opportunity arises;
• to be based in Oxford.

Further particulars

• The College encourages the successful candidate to build a strong partnership with relevant departments. Details of the opportunities available to postdocs in Oxford are available at the Researcher Hub here: https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/support-researchers/researcher-hub;
• The post brings with it no teaching obligations but the successful candidate may undertake teaching (including tutorial teaching and lecturing) if and when invited to do so.

Qualifications and experience required

• Hold or be near completion to a PhD in a relevant discipline;
• Demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, appropriate to the stage of the candidate’s career, with evidence of and potential for producing excellent research;
• Evidence of high-quality publications (this includes papers or books published or accepted for publication);
• Demonstrate a commitment to engage with current and forward-looking methodologies and theoretical approaches in the humanities or social sciences;
• Have excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Provide evidence of commitment to their own professional development.

The Fellowship will be for two and a half years starting on 1 January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter, and is not renewable. Applications are particularly welcome from women, black and minority ethnic candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

The annual remuneration package comprises a stipend of £40,500 per annum and Common Table rights for the Fellow’s own meals in Hall (currently £58.00 per week).

To apply please follow the instructions outlined in the further particulars of the job, which you can download from this page together with an application form.

Closing date for applications is 20 September 2024, 4.00pm. Interviews will take place on the afternoon of Thursday, 24 October 2024.