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The Alwaleed Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World at the University of Edinburgh is now offering two PhD studentships, for research on either Islamic Civilisation or Muslims in Europe, for a September 2018 start. Click HERE for further details.Research on either historical or contemporary aspects of Islamic Civilisation or Muslims in Europe would be welcome.These are fixed, three-year, full-time studentships, ideal for students who have recently completed a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. history, Middle Eastern languages, Islamic Studies, Religious Studies, sociology, anthropology).  The successful candidates will be expected to be Edinburgh-based and, in addition to undertaking research, would be encouraged to contribute to the Centre's Outreach Programme.Each studentship includes the payment of the required fees to the University of Edinburgh (either UK/EU or international), a living allowance of £14,553 for 2018-19 (increasing in-line with Research Council UK rates thereafter) and a yearly research budget of £1000.Supervision will be provided by the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, and, when needed, colleagues in relevant cognate disciplines.The successful candidates will have desk space within the Alwaleed Centre alongside fellow PhD students, Post-Doctoral Fellows and the Centre's administrative team.  There may also be opportunities to contribute to teaching within the University.Applicants will need to submit a formal PhD application to the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies as well as a separate application for the studentship.Applications for both the PhD and the studentship must be made by Thursday 12th April 2018.PhD ApplicationApplications for the PhD can be made via the online admissions portal by clicking the link below:PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern StudiesFor applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of English language proficiency will be required. Click HERE for further details.Studentship ApplicationStudentship applications should include a covering letter, a curriculum vitae and an outline research proposal (circa 1200 words) submitted via email to:llc.pgadmissions@ed.ac.ukClick HERE for guidelines on how to write a suitable PhD research proposal.If you are shortlisted for a studentship you will be invited to an interview where you will be required to make a 10-minute presentation on your proposed research project.Studentship DetailsEach studentship will cover the required fee to the University of Edinburgh (either UK/EU or international), a living allowance of £14,553 for 2018-19 (increasing in-line with Research Council UK rates thereafter) and a yearly research budget of £1000.Informal EnquiriesInformal enquiries are welcome and should be directed to Professor Jaakko Hameen-Anttila, Director of the Alwaleed Centre:j.hameen-anttila@ed.ac.ukEligibilityEssential qualifications: An undergraduate and normally a Masters degree in a relevant subject Proven research skills Ability to undertake research which may involve both the study of texts and engaging with individuals and communities Ability to work in a team Diplomacy, including religious, cultural and political sensitivity The ability to work to deadlines A willingness to be flexible and work non-standard hours, if requiredDesirable qualifications Experience in conducting and explaining research to a wide variety of audiences, both within and beyond a university context. Knowledge of a relevant language (e.g. Arabic, Persian) Excellent presentation and communication skills Experience in designing material for websites Experience of working with the mediaDeadline for ApplicationsThe deadline for both PhD applications and Studentship applications is Thursday 12th April 2018.Further information on the Alwaleed CentreThe HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World (www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk) is an endowed Centre within the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. Established in 2010, the Centre is devoted to research, outreach, and knowledge transfer in the field of Islamic Studies and is part of a unique network of six academic Centres established by the HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation: two in the United States (the universities of Harvard and Georgetown), two in the United Kingdom (the universities of Edinburgh and Cambridge), and two in the Middle East (the American University of Beirut and the American University in Cairo). All six Centres are devoted to the improvement of mutual understanding between the Muslim World and the West.  The Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre’s current Director is Professor Jaakko Hameen-Anttila.The six key objectives of the Centre are: To improve radically knowledge and understanding of Islamic civilisation and of Muslims in Britain among policy-makers, the general public, and students of all ages in the UK through a comprehensive educational outreach programme, and by helping to integrate the study of Islamic civilisation into the school curriculum To advance tolerance, mutual understanding and cross-cultural dialogue between Islam and the West by building new partnerships with institutions in the Muslim world, and with mosques and madrasas within the UK To foster intellectual curiosity and build educational excellence among young Diaspora Muslims in the United Kingdom To create the UK’s leading resource for expertise on Islam in the modern world, based on the integration of the study of Islamic civilisation and issues relating to Islam in modern Britain To produce, on a self-sustaining basis, a world-class cadre of researchers at the postgraduate and post-doctoral levels by providing studentships and fellowships designed to feed into the next generation of academics as well as the public and private sectors To establish a model partnership network with Muslim and other universities around the world, both within and outside the Arab world, that creates new opportunities for knowledge transfer and fosters collaborative researchThese objectives are realised through a combination of research and outreach at the local, national and international levels, involving activities such as conferences, workshops, lectures, study days, summer schools, and courses, for policy-makers, business leaders, the media, teachers, and members of the public, with a particular focus on Islamic civilisation and Muslims in the West.