Assistant Lecturer with Tenure Track or Lecturer in «Qualitative Methods»

We are hiring!

The Department of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies at the University of Bern invites applications for an Assistant Lectureship with Tenure Track or a Lectureship (50%) in Qualitative Methods, starting on 1 August 2026.

The successful candidate will teach and conduct research broadly within the scope of the position. They will teach students of the Department (Studies of Religion, Studies of the Middle East and Muslim Societies, and Social Anthropology), with a focus on qualitative empirical (ethnographic and historical) methods. In addition to research-based teaching, the position involves the supervision of students (BA, MA, and possibly PhD), as well as active collaboration within the Department and with related disciplines. The incorporation of interdisciplinary, digital, or multimodal approaches into methods training is also expected.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a willingness to engage actively in diverse teams; an interest in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary cooperation, combined with strong social skills and organizational abilities.

Depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate, the position will be filled either at the level of Assistant Lecturer (with Tenure Track) or as a Full Lecturer. In the case of an Assistant Lectureship with Tenure Track, there is the possibility-subject to a successful evaluation-of converting the position into a permanent lectureship.

Who you are

Requirements for an Assistant Lectureship with Tenure Track include an above-average doctoral degree in Studies of Religion, Islamic Studies or Middle Eastern Studies, Social Anthropology, or a related discipline; experience in academic teaching; and a broad research profile using ethnographic and historical methods. Research interests in interdisciplinary, digital, or multimodal approaches are desirable.

The requirements for a full Lectureship include, in addition to further relevant publications, at least five years of teaching and research experience in the mentioned fields following completion of the doctorate. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate experience in the acquisition of third-party funding.

The languages of instruction are German and English. Accordingly, sound proficiency in both languages is required no later than two years after appointment.

Important

In its hiring practices, the University of Bern is committed to equal opportunity and the promotion of diversity. It seeks to increase the proportion of women in academic leadership positions and supports dual-career options. It encourages applications from persons with disabilities, People of Color, and individuals who belong to ethnic minorities in the Swiss context.