Call for Two Post-Doctoral Fellowship Applications: “Islamic Studies after Gaza” and “Interdisciplinarity and Experimental Methods in Islamic Studies”

Date Posted: 10/10/2025
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Institute of Islamic Studies
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

1. Islamic Studies after Gaza 

The Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) at the University of Toronto invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Islamic Studies focused on the question of what it means to study “Islam” after Gaza. The successful candidate will bring a critically engaged approach to the social, political, intellectual, and theological implications of Gaza for affected Muslim communities globally, the field of Islamic Studies, and/or shifting forms of Islamophobia. We invite scholars whose work engages with topics such as (but not limited to) Muslim politics of grief, rage, solidarity, and resistance; post-October 7 forms of Islamophobia, racialization, and securitization; Islamic political theologies in times of genocide; transnational activism and solidarity; shifting landscapes of religion and race; and intersections between Islamic studies, Palestine studies, and decolonial studies. Methodologically, we encourage applications from scholars with a background in anthropology, sociology, history, religious studies, political science, Middle East Studies, Islamic studies, or related disciplines. This is a two-year research-focused fellowship. The fellow is expected to pursue an independent research project and to participate in and contribute to the IIS’s academic events. Teaching opportunities may be available depending on interest and institutional need.

2. Interdisciplinarity and Experimental Methods in Islamic Studies

The Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS) at the University of Toronto invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in Islamic Studies focused on interdisciplinarity and methodological innovation and experimentation. The successful candidate will be engaged in efforts to push the field of Islamic Studies into new directions by experimenting with cross-disciplinary engagement and new forms of knowledge production and dissemination. We welcome scholars whose work breaks disciplinary boundaries.
Specific areas of interest include 1) philologically oriented scholarship informed by critical theory; 2) explorations of possible conversations between the anthropology of Islam and Islamic theology; and 3) efforts to disseminate scholarship in Islamic studies (broadly conceived) via film, performance, or other non-textual media forms. The fellow will actively contribute to shaping a more inclusive, methodologically diverse future for Islamic Studies at the IIS and beyond. Teaching opportunities may be available depending on interest and institutional need.

Further Details Applicable to Both Fellowships:

Eligibility Requirements 

• Ph.D. in a field of Social Sciences or Humanities, with the degree completed no earlier than August 2021.
• PhD candidates may apply if they complete their dissertation defence successfully no later than July 2026.
• Demonstrated research expertise and publication record in Islamic studies or a closely related field.
• All nationalities may apply.

Details on the Fellowship 

• Renumeration: $70,000 CAD per year plus benefits
• Duration: two years  
• Location: required residence at the University of Toronto
• Start Date: September 1, 2026
• The successful candidate will be an employee of the University of Toronto and as a member of a bargaining unit will be subject to the UofT-CUPE (Unit 5) Collective Agreement.
• The Fellow may be eligible to apply to teach a course for which they would be remunerated separately.

Application Process 

• Application materials include a CV, statement of interest, research proposal (2000 words max), names and contact information of two referees (letters will not be immediately requested), and a writing sample.
• Please submit all application materials via email to islamicstudies@utoronto.ca, and specify the position in the subject line: “Post-Doc After Gaza” OR “Post-Doc Interdisciplinarity”. 
• The application deadline is November 9, 2025
• Decisions will be announced by January 2026

For any questions, please direct inquiries to islamicstudies@utoronto.ca

A PDF version of this posting can be found here.