Introduction
UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.
Presentation
As part of its commitment to advancing Palestinian studies, the University of Lausanne (UNIL) is supporting research in this field by awarding a doctoral fellowship for a project focusing on the history of Palestine and Palestinian societies. The Institute for the History and Anthropology of Religions (IHAR), affiliated with the Faculty of Theology and Sciences of Religions (FTSR) at UNIL, is pleased to invite applications for a: PhD Candidate in the History of Medieval or Early Modern Palestine (100%)
Job information
- Start date: February 1, 2026 (or to be agreed upon)
- Contract duration: 1 year, renewable 2x for 2 years, maximum 5 years
- Workload: 100%
- Workplace: Lausanne, Dorigny
Your responsibilities
The selected candidate will be integrated into the Institute of History and Anthropology of Religions within the Faculty of Theology and Sciences of Religions at the University of Lausanne. He/She will conduct personal research towards the completion of a doctoral dissertation.
100% of the workload will be dedicated to completing a PhD dissertation under the supervision of Professor Wissam Halawi.
Your qualifications
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- A Master’s degree (completed or in progress) in History or an equivalent qualification, with a specialization in Islamic history or the history of the Middle East.
- Excellent command of Classical Arabic, particularly in reading and analyzing historical sources. Proficiency in another source language relevant to the PhD project would be considered an advantage.
- Strong proficiency in the Palestinian dialect.
- In-depth knowledge of Palestinian territory and its institutions.
- Excellent academic proficiency in French and/or English.
- A demonstrated interest in Islamic law and/or Shiʿism in the Palestinian context would be an asset.
- Competence in the use of modern digital research tools.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a research team.
- Excellent organizational skills, autonomy, and initiative.
What the position offers you
We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment. Opportunities for professional training, a lot of activities and other benefits to discover.
Contact for further information
Mr Professor Wissam Halawi
Wissam.Halawi@unil.ch
Your application
Application deadline: June 15th, 2025
Applicants must submit a complete application as a single PDF file, including:
- A detailed CV ;
- A list of publications (if applicable) ;
- A cover letter outlining research interests and motivation ;
- Two letters of recommandation ;
- A PhD project proposal (maximum 10 pages, including bibliography) ;
- A copy of the Master’s thesis (if completed) or a detailed description of the ongoing thesis project, including a summary, detailed outline, progress report, and at least one completed chapter ;
- Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts.
Additional information
UNIL is committed to:
• equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
• ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
• offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
• supporting early career researchers.
