Postdoctoral in Late Antique Studies – University of Bern

About Position/Job

The University of Bern invites applications for a 100% Postdoctoral Position within the SNF Consolidator Project “RomAge”: Ageing and Old Age in the 4th–6th Century Roman Empire: Religious, Legal, Social, and Physical Dimensions. This interdisciplinary project explores how the rise of Christianity transformed societal perceptions of ageing in Late Antiquity, drawing from religious, legal, social, and philosophical sources. The successful candidate will contribute to the subproject “Theory of Ageing: Shifting Religious and Philosophical Attitudes Towards Old Age”, working within a dynamic and collaborative academic environment.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution: University of Bern
Department: Faculty of Theology
Research Field: Late Antiquity, Religious Studies, Classical Philology
Location: Bern, Switzerland
Number of Post: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term (3 years)
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 February 2026, or by agreement
Working Hours: 100% (Full-time)
Salary Range: Competitive, per SNF guidelines
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

Late Antique Studies
Classical Philology
Religious Studies
Social History of Ageing

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in Classical Philology, Religious Studies, History, Theology, Archaeology (or a related field)
Proficiency in reading and analysing Greek, Latin, and Coptic texts
Peer-reviewed publications in topics related to Late Antiquity, ecclesiastical history, or monasticism
Strong command of English

Preferred Qualifications:

Familiarity with social gerontology or ageing theory
Experience working with Greek and Coptic religious texts
Proven ability to work in interdisciplinary and collaborative research teams

Key Responsibilities

Analyse Greek and Coptic vocabulary on ageing across gender and class
Select and study literary and epigraphic sources (philosophical treatises, sermons, epistolography, etc.)
Investigate Egyptian Christian norms related to death, ageing, inheritance, and memory
Compare Christian and philosophical perceptions of elderly individuals
Contribute to project database and participate in team seminars, workshops, and conferences