Postdoctoral Fellowship in Indology – EPHE, France |HigherJobz

About Position/Job

The Écoles Pratiques des Hautes Études (EPHE, PSL University) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Indology under the ERC-funded MANTRATANTRAM project. This fellowship offers a 2-year full-time research opportunity starting in October 2026, supervised by Professor Andrea Acri, focusing on South Asian vernacular languages and tantric traditions. The project examines Monsoon Asia as a nexus for the transfer of Tantra along maritime routes, highlighting cultural contact, connected histories, and transregional mobility. Candidates will engage with primary sources in Tamil, Malayalam, or Prakrit, contribute to Tantric Reader publications, and collaborate on archival and field research. The role combines philology, religious studies, and historical analysis, offering international exposure through collaboration with French and Indian archives. It is ideal for researchers aiming to integrate textual scholarship, translation, and interdisciplinary methods within global Tantric studies.

Position/Job Details

Position: Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution: Écoles Pratiques des Hautes Études – PSL University
Department: Groupe de Recherches en Études Indiennes (GREI)
Research Field: Indology, Philology, Religious Studies
Location: Paris, France
Number of posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Temporary Postdoc
Start Date (Anticipated): October 2026
Working Hours: 35 hours/week
Salary Range: As per EPHE postdoctoral scheme
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD

Research Area

South Asian vernacular languages (Tamil, Malayalam, Prakrit)
Tantric traditions (Śaiva, Śākta, Buddhist)
Philology and textual analysis
Translation and edition of pre-1500 CE manuscripts
Cultural contact and connected histories in Monsoon Asia

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in Indology, Philology, Religious Studies, or related discipline
Proficiency in one South Asian vernacular language
Experience in editing and translating tantric primary sources
Excellent English writing and publication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of Sanskrit and its interaction with vernacular texts
Experience in archival research or manuscript consultancy
Ability to work on transregional historical and linguistic exchange

Key Responsibilities

Edit, translate, and publish a pre-1500 CE tantric text in a vernacular language
Contribute an annotated edition to a Tantric Reader
Collaborate with PI and team on publications and project deliverables
Consult manuscripts in IFP Pondicherry, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, and other collections
Present research at conferences, workshops, and panels
Participate in team meetings and submit regular progress reports