About Position/Job
The University of Tübingen is offering four fully funded postdoctoral researcher positions in the ERC Synergy Project MANTRAMS – Mantras in Religion, Media, and Society in Global Southern Asia, starting 1 December 2025. Based at the Institute for the Study of Religions, these 24-month positions will explore the social and sonic power of mantras across South and Southeast Asia through immersive ethnography, sound studies, and sensory anthropology.
Working within Task Force 2: Sonic Efficacy in Global Southern Asia, researchers will engage in interdisciplinary studies on religious soundscapes, healing practices, subaltern sonic traditions, and marginalised mantra communities. This project emphasises fieldwork, collaboration, and digital archiving, and offers a dynamic academic environment aligned with the university’s commitment to global, inclusive research. These positions are part of a prestigious, high-impact European Research Council grant and provide resources for fieldwork, travel, and professional development.
Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Institution: University of Tübingen
- Department: Institute for the Study of Religions, Faculty of Humanities
- Research Field: Religious Studies, Anthropology, Sound Studies
- Location: Tübingen, Germany
- Number of Posts: 4
- Job Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral
- Start Date (Anticipated): December 2025
- Working Hours: 100% (E13 TV-L scale)
- Salary Range: According to German public service scale (E13 TV-L)
- Required Degree/Diploma: PhD
Research Area
- Mantras in religion, media, and society
- Sacred sound and sonic soteriology
- Ethnomusicology and ritual performance
- Subaltern and marginalised mantra practices
- Religion and healing in Southern Asia
- Sound technologies and amplification
- Digital archiving of religious sound
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- PhD in Anthropology, Religious Studies, Ethnomusicology, Sound Studies, Asian Studies, or related field
- Proven academic record in one or more relevant areas
- Experience conducting ethnographic fieldwork
- Excellent English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Asian languages
- Familiarity with digital humanities, sound editing, or multimedia content
- Research on oral traditions, healing practices, or minority communities in Asia
- Experience in international or interdisciplinary collaboration
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct original research in line with the MANTRAMS project objectives
- Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at academic conferences
- Collaborate with the team to develop the OMnibus of Mantras digital archive
- Contribute to public engagement initiatives, including exhibitions and workshops
- Assist in planning events, writing reports, and supporting team outputs
Application Process
How to Apply:
Send a single PDF file by email to mantrams@religwiss.uni-tuebingen.de with all required documents.
Required Documents:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research proposal (max. 2,000 words)
- List of publications and multimedia outputs
- Copies of academic certificates
- Contact details of two referees
Important Dates
- Application Opens: July 2025
- Deadline: 1 September 2025
- Interview Date: To be announced
Useful Links
- Institution Website: University of Tübingen
- Official Notification Link: Postdoc Positions (m/f/d, E13 TV-L, 100%) | University of Tübingen
- Apply Now: mantrams@religwiss.uni-tuebingen.de
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