(ref. BAP-2026-572)
Laatst aangepast: 31/08/26
How did interreligious dialogue become a global response to religious diversity, conflict, and social cohesion - and which religious, secular, and colonial assumptions continue to shape it? Would you like to investigate these questions and contribute to an international and interdisciplinary research project on interreligious dialogue? Then we invite you to apply for this postdoctoral research position.
The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to investigate the global genealogies and discourses of interreligious dialogue and to contribute to the comparative and theoretical development of a larger research project on interreligious dialogue in different societal contexts.
Project
Interreligious dialogue (IRD) has become an important tool worldwide for addressing religious diversity. Although dialogue is often presented as a universal means of promoting mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peaceful coexistence, critical scholars point out that contemporary dialogical practices may also be intertwined with Christian normativity, secular governance logics, and colonial legacies. This project examines these tensions by critically analyzing the historical development, discursive shaping, and local implementation of interreligious dialogue.
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will lead the research package that examines the global genealogies and discourses of interreligious dialogue. You will analyze how international organizations, Christian churches, and global Islamic organizations have framed interreligious dialogue, particularly since the security shift following 9/11, as a response to religious diversity, violence, extremism, citizenship, and social cohesion. In doing so, you will examine how different discursive traditions converge, diverge, or are in tension with one another, and to what extent contemporary dialogical discourses reproduce, transform, or challenge colonial, Christian, and secular normative frameworks.
You will use Discourse-Historical Analysis and qualitative analytical methods to analyze an extensive corpus of policy documents, ecclesiastical texts, and statements from international religious organizations. Based on this research, you will develop a series of scholarly publications and make a significant contribution to the theoretical elaboration of the project.
In addition, you will play a central role in the comparative synthesis of the entire research project. Together with the Principal Investigator (PI) and the research team, you will develop a comparative and power-sensitive theoretical framework that links the findings from the discursive research with the ethnographic studies in Flanders and Morocco, thereby contributing to an innovative theoretical framework on interreligious dialogue as a global discourse and local practice.
- You will conduct independent research into the genealogies and global discourses of interreligious dialogue.
- You will build an international corpus of policy documents, ecclesiastical texts, and documents from international religious organizations and analyze it using Discourse-Historical Analysis and qualitative analytical methods, including NVivo.
- You will develop your own research agenda within the project's objectives and publish the results in international peer-reviewed journals.
- You will assume academic leadership of the work package on the discursive analysis of global interreligious dialogue and coordinate its planning and progress in consultation with the project leaders.
- You will actively contribute to the theoretical and conceptual development of the project and, together with the Principal Investigator, lead the comparative synthesis of the various work packages.
- You will provide substantive and methodological guidance to doctoral researchers and foster academic exchange within the research team.
- You will present research findings at international conferences and actively build an international research network.
- You will participate in the organization of research seminars, workshops, and other academic activities related to the project.
- You will be available for other forms of service within the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies for up to 10% of your time.
- You have earned, or will have earned by the start of the project at the latest, a PhD in religious studies, social sciences, social and cultural anthropology with a focus on religion, theology, or a related discipline.
- You have a strong research profile and a demonstrable interest in interreligious dialogue, religious diversity, and/or critical approaches to religion, secularism, coloniality, and power.
- You have experience with qualitative research. Expertise in discourse analysis, preferably Discourse-Historical Analysis, qualitative data analysis, for example NVivo, and/or ethnographic research is a significant asset.
- You have a strong international publication record appropriate to your career stage and the ambition to continue publishing in leading international journals.
- You are capable of independently designing and conducting research, but also enjoy collaborating within an interdisciplinary and international research team.
- You possess excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- You are willing to take an active role in supervising doctoral researchers and in expanding the project's research activities.
- You have an excellent command of English, both spoken and written. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset but not a requirement.
- A postdoctoral position at 0.75 FTE for a period of three years.
- Competitive compensation in accordance with KU Leuven's pay scales.
- A research budget for participation in national and international conferences, workshops, and training programs.
- The opportunity to take on a central academic role within an ambitious international research project focusing on interreligious dialogue, religious diversity, and power.
- Close collaboration with Prof. Marianne Moyaert from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and Prof. Nadia Fadil from the Faculty of Social Sciences within an interdisciplinary research project that brings together theology, anthropology, and religious studies.
- A stimulating research environment in which intellectual exchange, academic freedom, collegiality, and scholarly excellence are central.
- The opportunity to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of doctoral researchers and international partners and to further expand an active international research network.
- The freedom to further develop your own research profile and contribute to the theoretical development of an innovative research program.
The project team is led by Prof. Dr. Marianne Moyaert and Prof. Dr. Nadia Fadil.
KU Leuven strives to be an inclusive university where diversity is viewed as a source of intellectual enrichment. KU Leuven aims to create an environment in which all talents can flourish to the fullest, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality, or disability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility or support options, please contact us at [email protected].
Application
Your application must include the following attachments and be limited to these attachments:
A cover letter of a maximum of two pages.
A curriculum vitae.
Two samples of academic writing.
More information about the project, including the state-of-the-art document, is available from Prof. Dr. Marianne Moyaert, Professor of Comparative Theology and the Study of Interreligious Encounters, email: [email protected], or from Prof. Dr. Nadia Fadil, Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, email: [email protected].
Applications for this position will be accepted through October 10, 2026, via our online application system.
You can apply for this job no later than October 16, 2026 via the online application tool
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar [email protected]
