Two Doctoral Fellowships (3 years), LA3M-Aix-Marseille Université, France (funded by Amidex)

Aix-Marseille Université; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading European university in France invites applications for two 3-year Dissertation-Writing Fellowships. The positions require well-defined PhD projects focusing on material culture in Southern Asia. Successful candidates will join a comprehensive research program with a salary and health benefits. Applications are due by January 10, 2026.

Prestations

Shared work space

Equipment stipend

Travel allowance

Two international fieldtrips

Qualifications

• Achieved proven records of research and productivity.
• Fluency in requisite research languages is required.
• Familiarity with relevant software tools.

Responsabilités

• Complete and defend PhD dissertations by June 2029.
• Participate in two required international fieldtrips.
• Contribute to research on material culture in Southern Asia.

Connaissances

Intermediate level in Persian

Intermediate level in Arabic

Intermediate level in Sanskrit

Familiarity with MS Word

Familiarity with MS Excel

Photo database management

Formation

Master's Degree

Description du poste

Offer Description

Researcher Profile

PhD/R1: First stage Researcher

Research Field(s)

Anthropology, Architecture and Design, History

Main Sub Research Field or Disciplines

Archaeology, Design History, History of Art, History of History, History of Religion, Museology, Spatial Planning, Textile Design, Urban Design

Job / Offer Description

A new Research Program titled The Indo-Persian Continuum, c. 11th-17th Centuries, directed by Professor Alka Patel and housed at La3M (within Aix-Marseille University’s [AMU] archaeology institute, ARKAIA, MMSH), offers two 3-year Dissertation-Writing Fellowships beginning 1 July 2026. Applications are invited from students with well-defined PhD projects in all aspects of material culture in Southern Asia – encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh. Applicants must have proven records of research and productivity (e.g. Master’s Degree) and at least an intermediate level in requisite research languages, e.g. Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Indic vernaculars (certificates/proof required). Preference will be given to projects on the “Sultanate” period (circa 12th‑16th c.). The Program includes two fieldtrips (required), one to India and another to Central Asia. The successful applicants will be full‑time doctorands (salaried with health benefits) expected to complete and defend their PhD dissertations by 30 June 2029. Theses must be composed in either French or English.

Application Deadline

10 January 2026 00:00 Central Europe

Envisaged Starting Date

1 July 2026

Envisaged Duration

36 months

What We Offer

Shared work space; equipment stipend; travel allowance; two international fieldtrips. Located in the region of Provence, southern France, AMU consists of more than 100 research units in all disciplines and is among the foremost European universities responding to current global challenges with new research programs. Prominent Humanities alumni hold positions throughout Europe (e.g. Sorbonne Université; Musée du Louvre; Università Napoli – L’Orientale), the US (e.g. UCLA; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian), and elsewhere. La3M and AMU maintain MOUs with museums, universities, and institutes across Europe and Asia. The Aix‑Marseille area offers specialized University libraries, additional resources such as the Archives Nationales d’Outre‑Mer, and is nationally and internationally well connected by TGV and air.

Additional Information

The Euraxess Center of Aix‑Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal.

Qualifications, Required Research Fields, Required Education Level, Professional Skills, Other Research Requirements

Soft skills: At least an intermediate level in requisite research languages, e.g. Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Indic vernacular; familiarity with relevant software, including (but not limited to) MS Word, Excel; photo database management.

Requested Documents of Application, Eligibility Criteria, Selection Process

• A two-page Letter of Interest detailing achievements to date;
• PhD prospectus, including title and proposed chapter breakdown (5,000 words);
• Complete CV;
• Proof of undergraduate and MA degrees (official transcripts, diplomas);
• Language certificates/transcripts;
• Names and contact details of three recommenders.

Application deadline is 10 January 2026; finalist interviews in early February; offers by end February 2026.