Three PhD Candidates in Nonreligion Sought by German University
As many of you already know the field of secular studies is still growing by leaps and bounds. In the last few years we’ve seen the creation of research networks, institutes, academic programs and peer reviewed journals. If you have a masters degree and are interested in entering this field on the PhD level an amazing opportunity has opened up in Germany at Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main:
Three Doctoral Research Fellows (E13 TV-G-U, 75% part-time) are sought by the Emmy Noether1 “Diversity of Non-Religiosity” Research Group at Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, based at the Institut für Ethnologie (Social Anthropology, Faculty of Philosophy und History). The start date is 01.11.2012 and the positions are limited to a period of three years.
The Doctoral Fellows will develop their research projects under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. Their main task will be to complete individual research projects in collaboration with the other participants. They will have an independent budget for research and travel expenses. The Research Group further offers interdisciplinary and international collaborations and comprehensive supervision by the Principle Investigator who is also teaching and conducting research on this topic.
The Research Group is organized around the assumption that a comprehensive understanding of the role of religion(s) within contemporary societies has to take the “diversity of non-religiosity” into consideration. The aim of the Doctoral Fellowships is to conduct empirical research on non-religious individuals, groups or phenomena – preferably in different countries. For example topics may include but are not limited to indifference towards religion(s), worldviews alternative to religion(s), or criticism of religion(s) made in relation to atheist, humanist or skepticist thought or identity. The specific object of inquiry, methodology and theoretical approach will depend on the Doctoral Fellows’ training, interest, and research focus. Curiosity about the research topic, intellectual creativity, and an enjoyment of academic collaboration are crucial for the success of the project.
All applicants must hold a master’s degree (M.A.) or an equivalent qualification in anthropology, religious studies, sociology, or a related discipline.
The deadline for applicants is less than two months away (July 31st) so don’t sit on this opportunity too long if you are interested.
irritually 
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Any idea how many PhD programs there are for nonreligion/secular studies? I’ve mainly seen undergrad programs.
I’m not sure there are any (except for these new PhD fellowships), unless graduate work is part of the plan with the new London School of Economics, Programme for the Study of Religion and Non-religion led by Mathew Engelke, whose research on humanist funerals I recently highlighted.