Ph.D. VACANCY IN THE DOMAIN OF WESTERN ESOTERICISM Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2007 The Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an excellent international reputation. It is located in Amsterdam, well-known as a center for culture, media, and research. The UvA is a member of the League of European Research Universities. The Faculty of Humanities offers teaching and research programs with a strong international profile, within a large number of disciplines in the domains of language and culture. The Faculty is located in the center of Amsterdam and maintains intensive contacts with many cultural organizations in the capital. The Faculty has almost a thousand employees, and its teaching programs are followed by ca. 6,500 students. The Research Institute for Culture and History (ICG) has programs for Archaeology, History, Literature, Art & Cultural Heritage, the Golden Age, and European Studies. The emphasis lies on studying European culture from a historical perspective. Important in that regard is that texts and artefacts are studied in the context in which they emerged and functioned. The program “Western Esotericism: Continuities and Discontinuities” focuses on critical historical and empirical research in the domain of History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents, also referred to as Western Esotericism. For a description of the program, see www.amsterdamhermetica.nl (under “Research”). In the context of this research program, the Center for History of Hermetic Philosophy and Related Currents now has a vacancy for a PhD position (m/f) full-time, or part-time (75 %) vacancy number 07-3050 For both internal and external candidates The intention is that the research proposal will focus on a relevant topic in the period from the Enlightenment (18th century) to the present. The interrelation of esoteric religiosity with all aspects of Western culture (religion, philosophy, art, literature, music) means that the domain of research is strongly interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in nature; the vacancy is therefore open to candidates from all disciplines in the humanities. ACTIVITIES The candidate is expected to write and complete a Ph.D. dissertation within a period of three years (or within four years in case of a part-time position). The dissertation should be written in English. The job interviews will be conducted in the English language as well. APPOINTMENT The appointment is expected to take effect as of January 1, 2008, on the basis of a temporary contract for one year. After having successfully completed this first year, the candidate will be employed for another two years. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the University regulations for academic personnel, and will range from a minimum of € 2,279 in the first year to a maximum of € 2,502 in the last year. INFORMATION For further information, candidates can contact Prof. Dr. W.J. Hanegraaff, Oude Turfmarkt 147, 1012 GC Amsterdam. Tel.: +20 5253570/3571. Email:  A standard format to be used in writing the research proposal can be downloaded from www.amsterdamhermetica.nl (under “Study Programs”, see “Ph.D. Opportunities”). APPLICATION Candidates should send their letters of application, along with their CV, list of grades, and research proposal in English (or in Dutch, with an English translation), before November 1, 2007 to the coordinator of the Institute for Culture and History, Drs. P.J. Koopman, Spuistraat 134, 1012 VB Amsterdam. E-mail . Applications received later than November 1 will not be taken into consideration.