The Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
Research Fellowships for 2010-2011

Programme Description

The research fellowship programme at AKU-ISMC commences in September and
offers a unique opportunity to pursue research within an intellectually
stimulating and supportive environment.  Fellows play an active role in the
intellectual life of the Institute, participating in a wide range of
seminars, workshops, and conferences. They also enjoy the opportunity of
interacting with faculty at the Institute and from other academic
institutions in the United Kingdom. The duration of each fellowship is one
calendar year. During this time, candidates explore and shed new light on
one of the Institute¹s major research themes. The theme of focus for the
2010/11 is Processes of Social Change in Muslim Cultures and Societies.
Candidates will be asked to explore one of the following research questions:

· How are Muslim populations in the West shaping, and being shaped by,
Western state, legal and educational structures and institutions?

· How do Muslims living in Western countries, from a range of ethnic,
national and socio-economic backgrounds, orientate themselves to varying
conceptions, meanings and practices of Muslim traditions in Western
societies?

· How are religious practices used to negotiate a sense of belonging to
wider Muslim communities and Western societies at large?

During the course of this academic year, the Institute will facilitate
scholarly dialogue among the research fellows and faculty members who are
currently working in areas related to these research themes.  The fellows
are expected to produce a research paper on the theme of their fellowship
topic, to a standard that is publishable by a quality academic journal, and
that may be considered for publication in the Institute¹s academic
publications. During the course of their fellowship, fellows may be asked to
participate in the educational programmes of the Institute by delivering
lectures and seminars. Fellows will also contribute to the Institute¹s
seminar series by giving lectures and presenting papers to faculty, students
and staff.

Requirements:

Candidates should have:
· A PhD in the Humanities or Social Sciences;
· A high degree of interest and competence in the above research areas;
· A high level of proficiency in communication skills, written and verbal;
· An International English Language Testing System (ELTS) score of at least
6.5 or equivalent is essential.

Funding:
The gross fellowship stipend is £30,000. In addition to the stipend, Fellows
from outside the UK will receive a reimbursement of travel expenses for a
one-way restricted economy class ticket from their home base to London.
Please note that accommodation in London will need to be independently
organised by the Fellow. Other benefits and facilities include: a research
grant of up to £500, office space, access to AKU-ISMC¹s library and the
libraries of neighbouring academic institutions, and access to computer
facilities.

Application Procedure
Candidates should complete the Fellowship Application Form (available at
www.aku.edu/ismc <http://www.aku.edu/ismc> ) and submit it along with an
updated list of publications and result of an IELTS test.

E-mail: ismc.personnel@aku.edu (preferred)
or
Human Resources Department
Aga Khan University
Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations
210 Euston Road
London, NW1 2DA
United Kingdom

Closing Date
Closing date for applications for the 2010/11 programme is 30 April
(post-mark, fax/email date)

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, to be
held in May/June 2010.
Successful candidates are expected to take up their post on 13th September
2010 or soon after.