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The Department of Religion at the University of Otago in New Zealand solicits applications from qualified students seeking Ph.D. study in the historical and social scientific study of religion.  Dr. Ben Schonthal, Lecturer in the department, is particularly interested in prospective candidates who wish to write about the historical, political, sociological, anthropological and legal dimensions of religion in Sri Lanka, particularly in the contemporary period. Dr. Schonthal specialises in the study of religion, law and politics in late-colonial and independent Sri Lanka. Otago's PhD program is three years long and the university offers competitive scholarships to highly qualified applicants with a record of academic excellence.   Prerequisites include an honours degree and/or Masters degree in a related field (law, political science, sociology, history, etc.) and very high competence in English.  For more information, please look at the department's  website:http://www.otago.ac.nz/religion/.   Further queries may be directed to Dr. Schonthal at ben.schonthal@otago.ac.nz  or benjamin.schonthal@gmail.comsource:  AISLS