MINARET Doctoral Network 2027: 15 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Europe with MSCA Funding

<p>The MINARET Doctoral Network is inviting applications for 15 fully funded PhD positions under the European Union’s prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme. The doctoral programme offers an exceptional opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue advanced doctoral studies in the sociology of post-imperial Islamic legal cultures, constitutional transformation, governance, and the relationship between religion and law in Muslim-majority societies.</p> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network, formally titled <em>A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Cultures: Insights from Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia</em>, brings together 11 leading universities across Europe. The programme aims to develop a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers capable of examining the complex relationships between legal institutions, religious traditions, political authority, constitutional reforms, and social change.</p> <p>Successful applicants will undertake doctoral research at one of the participating European universities while benefiting from international academic collaboration, joint supervision, interdisciplinary training, fieldwork opportunities, and professional development. The programme also includes academic and non-academic secondments, allowing doctoral candidates to gain practical experience beyond traditional university research environments.</p> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network is particularly relevant for graduates interested in Islamic studies, law, political science, sociology, anthropology, governance, constitutionalism, development studies, and related disciplines.</p> <p>Applications are open for the 15 doctoral positions, with the programme scheduled to begin in September 2027.</p> <p><strong>Application Deadline: January 31, 2027</strong></p> <h2>MINARET Doctoral Network 2027: Programme Overview</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network is an international doctoral training initiative funded through the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme.</p> <p>The programme focuses on the sociology of post-imperial Islamic legal cultures and examines how historical imperial legacies continue to influence contemporary legal, political, religious, and constitutional institutions.</p> <p>The doctoral candidates will investigate how Muslim-majority societies navigate the relationship between religious traditions, secular governance, constitutional reform, political legitimacy, and democratic development.</p> <p>The programme brings together researchers and institutions working across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. These regions provide important comparative perspectives on the transformation of legal systems and political institutions in societies shaped by imperial histories.</p> <p>The following table provides the key details of the MINARET PhD programme.</p> <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>Programme Detail</th> <th>Information</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Programme Name</td> <td>MINARET Doctoral Network</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Full Title</td> <td>A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Cultures: Insights from Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Programme Type</td> <td>Fully Funded PhD Research Positions</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Funding Programme</td> <td>Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Number of Positions</td> <td>15 Doctoral Positions</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Participating Institutions</td> <td>11 European Universities</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Programme Start</td> <td>September 2027</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Programme Duration</td> <td>48 Months</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Employment Contract</td> <td>Full-time MSCA doctoral employment; the stated employment duration may vary by host institution</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Funding</td> <td>Competitive monthly living, mobility, and family allowances</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Research Regions</td> <td>Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Application Deadline</td> <td>January 31, 2027</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2>About the MINARET Doctoral Network</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network has been established to advance interdisciplinary research into the relationship between law, religion, governance, and constitutional transformation in post-imperial Muslim-majority societies.</p> <p>The programme recognises that contemporary legal and political institutions cannot be fully understood without examining their historical foundations. In many societies across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, imperial legacies continue to influence constitutional structures, religious governance, citizenship, legal authority, and political institutions.</p> <p>These societies have experienced different forms of legal and political transformation, including the development of secular constitutional systems, the incorporation of religious legal traditions, the expansion of international governance frameworks, and the emergence of hybrid political regimes.</p> <p>MINARET aims to investigate these processes through rigorous empirical research and theoretical analysis.</p> <p>The programme will train doctoral candidates to examine questions such as:</p> <ul> <li>How do historical imperial legal institutions influence contemporary constitutional systems?</li> <li>How do religious and secular legal frameworks interact in Muslim-majority societies?</li> <li>What role does Islamic law play in contemporary governance and constitutional legitimacy?</li> <li>How do constitutional reforms affect citizenship, gender equality, and legal rights?</li> <li>How do international organisations influence domestic legal and political transformation?</li> <li>How do citizens perceive the legitimacy of legal institutions and state authority?</li> <li>How do religious actors contribute to democratic participation and social cohesion?</li> </ul> <p>Through these research questions, MINARET seeks to contribute to academic debates while also producing findings relevant to policymakers, civil society organisations, international institutions, and public administration.</p> <h2>Main Objectives of the MINARET Doctoral Programme</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network has three principal objectives.</p> <h3>1. Empirical and Theoretical Innovation</h3> <p>The programme seeks to generate new empirical evidence and theoretical insights into the relationship between law, religion, governance, constitutionalism, democratization, and security.</p> <p>Doctoral candidates will investigate the ways in which legal institutions and religious traditions influence political authority and social transformation.</p> <p>The research will contribute to a deeper understanding of post-imperial Muslim-majority societies and the diverse pathways through which constitutional systems evolve.</p> <h3>2. Sustainable Interdisciplinary Doctoral Training</h3> <p>MINARET aims to provide comprehensive doctoral training that brings together different academic disciplines, research methodologies, institutional environments, and geographical perspectives.</p> <p>The programme will support researchers in developing expertise across law, sociology, political science, anthropology, Islamic studies, governance, and related fields.</p> <p>Through collaboration with universities and non-academic organisations, doctoral candidates will gain the knowledge and skills required to pursue careers in academia, policymaking, international organisations, and other professional sectors.</p> <h3>3. Policy Outreach and Societal Impact</h3> <p>The network intends to translate academic research into practical knowledge that can inform public policy and institutional decision-making.</p> <p>Research findings may be shared through:</p> <ul> <li>Academic publications.</li> <li>Research workshops.</li> <li>International conferences.</li> <li>Policy briefs.</li> <li>Stakeholder engagement activities.</li> <li>Collaboration with civil society organisations.</li> <li>Engagement with public institutions and development agencies.</li> </ul> <p>These activities will help connect doctoral research with real-world challenges involving governance, constitutional transformation, legal institutions, and social change.</p> <h2>Participating Universities and International Research Network</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network involves 11 leading European universities and research institutions.</p> <p>Doctoral candidates will be hosted at one of the participating institutions and will work with academic supervisors and research partners across Europe and other regions.</p> <p>The programme also provides opportunities to collaborate with non-academic partners, including civil society organisations, think tanks, public institutions, development agencies, and other organisations involved in governance and policy research.</p> <p>This international structure allows doctoral candidates to develop a broader understanding of their research topics while gaining experience in different academic and professional environments.</p> <p>The programme includes:</p> <ul> <li>Joint academic supervision.</li> <li>International research collaboration.</li> <li>Interdisciplinary doctoral training.</li> <li>Academic and non-academic secondments.</li> <li>International fieldwork.</li> <li>Conference participation.</li> <li>Networking and professional development.</li> <li>Research engagement with policy and practice.</li> </ul> <p>The international nature of MINARET is particularly valuable for researchers whose doctoral projects require comparative analysis or fieldwork across different geographical regions.</p> <h2>International Fieldwork and Secondment Opportunities</h2> <p>International fieldwork and secondments are integral components of the MINARET Doctoral Programme.</p> <p>All doctoral candidates will be required to undertake international fieldwork and secondments in one or more MINARET partner countries across Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, or Southeast Asia.</p> <p>Fieldwork will provide candidates with opportunities to study legal, political, and governance transformations directly within the societies relevant to their research.</p> <p>Depending on the individual doctoral project, research activities may involve:</p> <ul> <li>Interviews with policymakers and legal professionals.</li> <li>Analysis of constitutional and legal documents.</li> <li>Research involving public institutions.</li> <li>Engagement with civil society organisations.</li> <li>Investigation of religious and customary legal systems.</li> <li>Comparative research across different countries.</li> <li>Examination of governance and constitutional reforms.</li> </ul> <p>Doctoral candidates will also be required to complete two international secondments abroad.</p> <p>These include:</p> <ol start="1"> <li><strong>Academic secondment:</strong> A placement within an academic or research institution.</li> <li><strong>Non-academic secondment:</strong> A placement with a non-academic partner, such as a civil society organisation, think tank, public institution, or other relevant organisation.</li> </ol> <p>Each secondment is expected to last between two and six months.</p> <p>These placements are designed to help doctoral researchers understand how academic knowledge can be applied in professional environments and how research findings can contribute to policymaking and institutional practice.</p> <h2>List of 15 Fully Funded MINARET PhD Positions</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network offers 15 doctoral research positions covering a wide range of topics related to Islamic legal cultures, constitutional governance, political transformation, and post-imperial societies.</p> <p>Each position has a specific research focus and is hosted by a participating European university.</p> <h3>DC1 – Post-Imperial Secularism and Constitutional Legitimacy in Central Asia</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Geisteswissenschaftliche Zentren Berlin, Germany</p> <p>This doctoral position investigates how Soviet legal legacies continue to influence constitutional legitimacy, governance, and state-building in Central Asia.</p> <p>The research focuses on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, examining how Soviet-derived constitutional and legal structures shape contemporary political institutions.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate the role of post-imperial secularism in constitutional reforms and explore how state authority interacts with religion and democratic development.</p> <p>The research will also examine how legal institutions inherited from imperial governance contribute to political stability and authoritarian resilience.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for researchers interested in Central Asian politics, constitutional law, secularism, political sociology, and post-Soviet transformations.</p> <h3>DC2 – Ottoman Legacies, Gender and Constitutional Citizenship</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Sabanci University, Türkiye</p> <p>This doctoral project explores how Ottoman legal traditions continue to influence women&#8217;s citizenship, legal rights, and political participation in Türkiye and Lebanon.</p> <p>The research will examine the interaction between secular and religious legal frameworks and investigate how constitutional reforms affect gender equality, family law, and women&#8217;s legal agency.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will contribute to academic debates on gender, citizenship, legal transformation, and the relationship between religious and secular institutions in Muslim-majority societies.</p> <p>The position is particularly relevant for applicants interested in gender studies, legal sociology, constitutional law, Islamic legal traditions, and citizenship.</p> <h3>DC3 – International Organisations and Neo-Imperial Constitutional Reform</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Leiden University, The Netherlands</p> <p>This doctoral position examines the influence of international organisations, development agencies, and global governance actors on constitutional reform in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.</p> <p>The research will investigate how donor-supported rule-of-law and governance programmes interact with domestic legal traditions, religious values, and political realities.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will use methods such as policy document analysis and interviews with international advisers and domestic policymakers.</p> <p>The project will explore how constitutional reforms are negotiated between international and domestic actors and whether these processes reproduce neo-imperial dependencies.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for researchers interested in international relations, global governance, constitutional reform, development studies, and political sociology.</p> <h3>DC4 – Military Guardianship and Secular Constitutionalism</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Marmara University, Türkiye</p> <p>This doctoral project investigates the historical role of military institutions in shaping secular constitutional orders in Egypt and Türkiye.</p> <p>The research will explore the relationship between military power, constitutional reform, and democratic governance.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will examine how military influence affects constitutional legitimacy, citizenship, political transformation, and the development of secular political institutions.</p> <p>The project will contribute to debates on military constitutionalism, democratic transitions, and the relationship between security institutions and constitutional authority.</p> <h3>DC5 – Hybrid Secularism and Constitutional Pluralism</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of Granada, Spain</p> <p>This doctoral position examines how Morocco and Indonesia have developed constitutional systems that combine religious and secular sources of legitimacy.</p> <p>The research will investigate how hybrid legal orders manage diversity, accommodate religious values, and contribute to governance and constitutional stability.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will explore how constitutional institutions navigate the relationship between religious traditions and secular political structures.</p> <p>The project aims to develop new insights into hybrid secularism and constitutional pluralism beyond conventional distinctions between religious and secular governance.</p> <h3>DC6 – Islamic Constitutional Hybridity</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of Birmingham, United Kingdom</p> <p>This doctoral project examines how Islamic moral reasoning and religious values are incorporated into constitutional and administrative governance.</p> <p>The research focuses on Indonesia, Morocco, and Uzbekistan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how constitutional systems combine religious norms with state institutions and democratic aspirations.</p> <p>The project seeks to advance understanding of how Islamic values influence constitutional legitimacy, governance reform, and administrative law.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for applicants interested in Islamic studies, constitutional law, political science, governance, and legal sociology.</p> <h3>DC7 – Religious, Customary and State Law: Negotiating Plural Legal Orders</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of Zurich, Switzerland</p> <p>This doctoral position investigates the interaction between religious, customary, and state legal systems in Muslim-majority societies.</p> <p>The research will focus on settings across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and/or Central Asia.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will examine how multiple legal orders coexist, compete, and cooperate in shaping citizenship, family relations, public morality, and economic activities.</p> <p>The project will use legal anthropology and fieldwork in selected regions to investigate how citizens navigate overlapping legal systems.</p> <p>It will also examine how conflicts between different legal authorities are negotiated and arbitrated.</p> <p>The research aims to reveal how institutional pluralism shapes social relations, perceptions of justice, and constitutional legitimacy.</p> <p>This position is particularly suitable for researchers interested in legal anthropology, Islamic law, customary law, legal pluralism, and governance.</p> <h3>DC8 – Islamic Ethics and Administrative Reform in Central Asia</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Lund University, Sweden</p> <p>This doctoral project explores the role of Islamic ethics in public administration and legal and governance reforms in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how religiously informed governance practices and legal strategies influence accountability, public trust, and institutional effectiveness.</p> <p>The research will also examine whether these practices strengthen public administration or primarily serve as instruments of political legitimation.</p> <p>The project contributes to emerging scholarship on Islamic public administration, Islamic legal cultures, and governance traditions.</p> <h3>DC9 – Islamic Finance, Moral Economy and Constitutional Legitimacy</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of the West of England, United Kingdom</p> <p>This doctoral position examines the relationship between Islamic finance, moral economy, economic governance, and constitutional legitimacy.</p> <p>The research focuses on Indonesia and Uzbekistan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how Islamic finance institutions contribute to public trust and influence economic governance structures.</p> <p>The project will examine how principles such as fairness, risk-sharing, and social responsibility shape legal and governance institutions and influence citizens&#8217; perceptions of state authority.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for researchers interested in Islamic finance, political economy, governance, constitutional legitimacy, and legal sociology.</p> <h3>DC10 – Women&#8217;s Legal Agency Across Post-Imperial Islamic Societies in Central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Lund University, Sweden</p> <p>This doctoral project investigates women&#8217;s legal mobilisation and access to justice in Tunisia, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan.</p> <p>The research will examine how women use Islamic and secular legal frameworks to claim rights, challenge discrimination, and expand access to justice.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate the relationship between legal mobilisation, constitutional reform, and women&#8217;s agency as drivers of social and political transformation.</p> <p>The project is particularly relevant for applicants interested in gender studies, women&#8217;s legal rights, Islamic law, constitutional reform, and social justice.</p> <h3>DC11 – Constitutional Militarisation, Security and Democratic Reform</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of Birmingham, United Kingdom</p> <p>This doctoral position examines the constitutional entrenchment of military power in Egypt, Türkiye, and Sudan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how military institutions shape constitutional governance and influence democratic reform.</p> <p>The research will assess how legal reforms can strengthen civilian oversight, reduce military dominance, and promote democratic transitions.</p> <p>The project contributes to debates on security, constitutionalism, military influence, and democratic governance.</p> <h3>DC12 – Securitisation of Religion in Hybrid Regimes: Insights from Central Asia and North Africa</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Lund University, Sweden</p> <p>This doctoral project investigates how governments in Uzbekistan and Egypt use religious narratives to justify security policies and governance strategies.</p> <p>The research will examine how religion becomes embedded within state security frameworks.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will assess the implications of these processes for citizenship, constitutional legitimacy, and state-society relations in hybrid political regimes.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for researchers interested in political sociology, security studies, religion and politics, and constitutional governance.</p> <h3>DC13 – Legal Trust and Constitutional Legitimacy</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Sciences Po, France</p> <p>This doctoral position examines the relationship between legal trust, constitutional legitimacy, and public authority.</p> <p>The research focuses on Morocco, Tunisia, and Kazakhstan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how citizens perceive law, justice, and public institutions.</p> <p>The project will examine how trust in legal institutions influences constitutional legitimacy, governance outcomes, and state-society relations.</p> <p>The research aims to develop new insights into the social foundations of constitutional authority and democratic governance.</p> <h3>DC14 – Religious Education, Legal Consciousness and Social Cohesion</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> University of Southern Denmark, Denmark</p> <p>This doctoral project examines how constitutional recognition of religious education shapes citizenship, legal consciousness, and social cohesion in Muslim-majority societies.</p> <p>The research focuses on Indonesia and Morocco.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how constitutional and legal frameworks governing religious education influence civic norms, religious identities, and everyday experiences of citizenship.</p> <p>The project will also examine how religious education affects democratic participation, social integration, and perceptions of rights, duties, and belonging.</p> <p>This position is particularly relevant for applicants interested in education, law, sociology, Islamic studies, citizenship, and social cohesion.</p> <h3>DC15 – Civil Islam and Non-Coercive Governance Across Post-Imperial Islamic Societies in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and North Africa</h3> <p><strong>Host Institution:</strong> Lund University, Sweden</p> <p>This doctoral position explores how civil Islam, legal mobilisation, and faith-based movements contribute to non-coercive governance and constitutional participation.</p> <p>The research focuses on Tunisia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.</p> <p>The doctoral candidate will investigate how religious values can support democratic engagement, strengthen social trust, and foster peaceful political transformation.</p> <p>The project aims to advance understanding of religion as a resource for constitutional legitimacy and civic participation in post-imperial Islamic societies.</p> <h2>What Does the MINARET Doctoral Network Offer?</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network provides doctoral researchers with an international research environment, financial support, and professional development opportunities.</p> <p>Successful candidates will benefit from the following programme features.</p> <h3>Competitive Monthly Financial Allowances</h3> <p>The programme provides competitive monthly living, mobility, and family allowances under the MSCA Doctoral Networks framework.</p> <p>These allowances are intended to support doctoral candidates during their research and employment period.</p> <p>The precise financial package may depend on the applicable MSCA funding rules and the host institution.</p> <p>Applicants should consult the individual vacancy announcements for the detailed salary and allowance information associated with each position.</p> <h3>International Academic Collaboration</h3> <p>Doctoral candidates will work within an international research network involving universities and partners across Europe and other regions.</p> <p>The programme offers opportunities to collaborate with researchers from different academic disciplines and institutional backgrounds.</p> <h3>Joint Supervision</h3> <p>Candidates will benefit from joint supervision and academic collaboration.</p> <p>This approach is designed to provide broader research perspectives and support the development of high-quality doctoral projects.</p> <h3>Academic and Non-Academic Secondments</h3> <p>The programme includes international secondments in both academic and non-academic environments.</p> <p>These placements allow candidates to gain experience in research institutions, public organisations, civil society, and other professional settings.</p> <h3>Advanced Research Training</h3> <p>The doctoral network offers comprehensive training in areas such as:</p> <ul> <li>Research methodologies.</li> <li>Research ethics.</li> <li>Open Science.</li> <li>Transferable skills.</li> <li>Interdisciplinary research.</li> <li>Professional development.</li> <li>Academic communication.</li> <li>Policy engagement.</li> </ul> <h3>Career Development and Employability</h3> <p>MINARET aims to strengthen the career prospects of doctoral candidates by providing academic and professional experience.</p> <p>Graduates may pursue careers in:</p> <ul> <li>Universities and research institutions.</li> <li>International organisations.</li> <li>Public administration.</li> <li>Government policy institutions.</li> <li>Think tanks.</li> <li>Civil society organisations.</li> <li>Development agencies.</li> <li>Legal and governance research.</li> <li>Research and consultancy.</li> </ul> <p>The programme&#8217;s interdisciplinary structure is intended to prepare researchers for careers across both academic and non-academic sectors.</p> <h2>Eligibility Criteria for MINARET PhD Positions 2027</h2> <p>Applicants must meet the mandatory eligibility requirements established under the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme.</p> <p>Although individual universities may introduce additional requirements for specific positions, the following criteria apply to all 15 doctoral positions.</p> <h3>1. Relevant Master&#8217;s Degree or Equivalent Qualification</h3> <p>Applicants must hold a degree that formally entitles them to begin doctoral studies.</p> <p>The qualification must be recognised as sufficient for doctoral admission either in the country where the degree was obtained or in the country where the researcher will be recruited.</p> <p>The programme is particularly relevant for graduates with academic backgrounds in:</p> <ul> <li>Law.</li> <li>Political Science.</li> <li>Sociology.</li> <li>Anthropology.</li> <li>Economics.</li> <li>Development Studies.</li> <li>Islamic Studies.</li> <li>Related academic disciplines.</li> </ul> <p>Applicants should check the requirements of their selected doctoral position because the research focus and academic background requirements may vary between host institutions.</p> <h3>2. Applicants Must Not Hold a PhD Degree</h3> <p>Candidates must not have already been awarded a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.</p> <p>The programme is intended for researchers who are beginning their doctoral research careers.</p> <h3>3. Research Experience Requirement</h3> <p>Applicants must not have completed more than four years of full-time equivalent research experience.</p> <p>This requirement is measured at the time of recruitment.</p> <p>Candidates should carefully assess their previous research experience when determining their eligibility.</p> <h3>4. MSCA Mobility Rule</h3> <p>Applicants must comply with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions mobility rule.</p> <p>Under this requirement, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as employment or studies, in the country of their selected host institution for more than 12 months during the three years immediately preceding the recruitment date.</p> <p>This is an important eligibility condition.</p> <p>For example, an applicant who has been living or studying in the country where they intend to undertake their PhD may need to assess whether their residence or main activity exceeds the permitted period.</p> <p>The mobility rule is assessed separately for the relevant host country.</p> <h3>5. Research and Language Skills</h3> <p>Candidates should demonstrate strong research abilities and appropriate language skills for their selected doctoral project.</p> <p>The programme is designed for researchers who are motivated to work in an interdisciplinary environment and contribute to academic research and policy outreach.</p> <p>Specific language requirements should be confirmed through the individual university vacancy announcements.</p> <h3>6. Interest in Interdisciplinary Research</h3> <p>Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in research involving:</p> <ul> <li>Law and religion.</li> <li>Governance and constitutionalism.</li> <li>Political and social transformation.</li> <li>Islamic legal cultures.</li> <li>Constitutional legitimacy.</li> <li>Legal and institutional reform.</li> <li>Muslim-majority societies.</li> </ul> <p>Candidates should be able to explain how their academic background and research interests align with the selected doctoral project.</p> <h3>7. Willingness to Undertake International Fieldwork and Secondments</h3> <p>Successful applicants must be willing to participate in international fieldwork, academic training, conferences, networking events, and secondments abroad.</p> <p>The programme requires candidates to undertake one academic and one non-academic secondment, each lasting between two and six months.</p> <p>Applicants should consider these international requirements before submitting their applications.</p> <h2>Application Process for MINARET Doctoral Network PhD Positions</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network includes 15 separate doctoral vacancies hosted by different universities.</p> <p>Applicants should identify the research project that best matches their academic background, research interests, and career objectives.</p> <p>Applications must be submitted through the relevant university or host institution&#8217;s recruitment system.</p> <p>The application procedures, required documents, and additional selection criteria may vary between positions.</p> <h3>Step 1: Select Your Preferred Doctoral Position</h3> <p>Review the 15 research projects and identify the position that best matches your academic interests.</p> <p>Each doctoral position has a specific research topic and host institution.</p> <p>Applicants should carefully examine the project description before deciding where to apply.</p> <h3>Step 2: Review the Host Institution&#8217;s Requirements</h3> <p>Visit the relevant university&#8217;s vacancy announcement.</p> <p>Check the following details:</p> <ul> <li>Academic qualifications.</li> <li>Research experience requirements.</li> <li>Language requirements.</li> <li>Application deadline.</li> <li>Required documents.</li> <li>Research proposal expectations.</li> <li>Recruitment procedures.</li> <li>Submission instructions.</li> </ul> <p>Applicants should rely on the individual host institution&#8217;s recruitment announcement for the final application requirements.</p> <h3>Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents</h3> <p>The programme announcement indicates that applicants should generally be prepared to submit a single PDF file containing the required application documents.</p> <p>The expected documents may include:</p> <p><strong>Cover Letter</strong></p> <p>A cover letter explaining the applicant&#8217;s academic background, research interests, motivation, and suitability for the selected doctoral project.</p> <p><strong>Research Proposal</strong></p> <p>A research proposal outlining the applicant&#8217;s interest in the specific project.</p> <p>A proposal of approximately two to three pages is recommended in the programme announcement, although the individual institution may provide different instructions.</p> <p><strong>Curriculum Vitae</strong></p> <p>An academic CV presenting the applicant&#8217;s educational qualifications, research experience, publications, relevant skills, and professional background.</p> <p><strong>Degree Certificates and Academic Transcripts</strong></p> <p>Applicants should prepare copies of their relevant academic certificates and transcripts.</p> <p><strong>Academic Referees</strong></p> <p>Contact details for two academic referees should be prepared.</p> <p><strong>Writing Sample</strong></p> <p>Applicants should prepare an academic writing sample demonstrating their research and writing abilities.</p> <p>These requirements are indicative. Candidates must follow the specific instructions provided by their selected host institution.</p> <h3>Step 4: Submit Your Application</h3> <p>Applications must be submitted through the dedicated recruitment link provided by the hosting university.</p> <p>Applicants should ensure that all required documents are included and that their application is submitted before the relevant deadline.</p> <h3>Step 5: Monitor Your Application</h3> <p>After submitting an application, candidates should monitor their email and the relevant university recruitment portal for updates.</p> <p>Applicants should also ensure that their contact information is accurate and that they remain available for any additional recruitment or interview requirements.</p> <h2>Important Deadline for MINARET Doctoral Network 2027</h2> <p>The application deadline for the MINARET Doctoral Network is:</p> <p><strong>January 31, 2027</strong></p> <p>Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their documents.</p> <p>Because the 15 doctoral positions are hosted by different universities, candidates should verify the deadline and submission instructions for their selected position.</p> <p>The programme is scheduled to begin in September 2027.</p> <h2>Conclusion</h2> <p>The MINARET Doctoral Network offers an important opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue doctoral studies in Europe through the European Union&#8217;s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme.</p> <p>With 15 doctoral positions across 11 leading European universities, the programme provides an interdisciplinary research environment focused on the relationship between Islamic legal cultures, constitutional transformation, governance, and post-imperial societies.</p> <p>The doctoral projects cover a broad range of topics, including constitutional legitimacy, Islamic finance, women&#8217;s legal agency, military constitutionalism, religious education, legal pluralism, international governance, and the role of religion in public institutions.</p> <p>Successful candidates will benefit from competitive financial allowances, international academic collaboration, joint supervision, advanced research training, fieldwork opportunities, and academic and non-academic secondments.</p> <p>The programme is particularly suitable for graduates with relevant Master&#8217;s degrees who are interested in pursuing advanced research in law, political science, sociology, anthropology, Islamic studies, governance, and related disciplines.</p> <p>Applicants must meet the MSCA mobility requirements, must not hold a doctoral degree at recruitment, and must satisfy the relevant academic and research experience criteria.</p> <p>Interested candidates should carefully review the individual doctoral vacancies and prepare their applications according to the requirements of the relevant host institution.</p> <p><strong>The application deadline is January 31, 2027.</strong></p> <h2>Official Application Links and Further Information</h2> <p>The following links provide access to the official MINARET programme announcement, project information, and individual doctoral vacancy announcements.</p> <h3>General Programme Information</h3> <ul> <li><strong>MINARET Doctoral Network – Official Programme Announcement: <a href="https://www.norca.lu.se/article/minaret-doctoral-network-15-fully-funded-msca-phd-positions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.norca.lu.se/article/minaret-doctoral-network-15-fully-funded-msca-phd-positions</a></strong></li> <li><strong>MINARET Project Page – NORCA: <a href="https://www.norca.lu.se/minaret" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.norca.lu.se/minaret</a></strong></li> <li><strong>Lund University – Major EU Grant for MINARET Doctoral Programme: <a href="https://www.soclaw.lu.se/en/article/major-eu-grant-lund-led-phd-programme-islamic-legal-cultures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.soclaw.lu.se/en/article/major-eu-grant-lund-led-phd-programme-islamic-legal-cultures</a></strong></li> <li><strong>Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks: <a href="https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3>Individual PhD Position Application Links</h3> <p><strong>DC1 – Post-Imperial Secularism and Constitutional Legitimacy in Central Asia</strong></p> <ul> <li>Job Offers at Geisteswissenschaftliche Zentren Berlin: <strong><a href="https://www.zmo.de/en/about-us/career/job-offers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.zmo.de/en/about-us/career/job-offers</a></strong></li> <li>DC1 Call for Applications (PDF): <strong><a href="https://www.zmo.de/fileadmin/pdfs/CALL_FOR_APPLICATIONS_MINARET_FIN.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.zmo.de/fileadmin/pdfs/CALL_FOR_APPLICATIONS_MINARET_FIN.pdf</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC2 – Ottoman Legacies, Gender and Constitutional Citizenship</strong></p> <ul> <li>Sabanci University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://fass.sabanciuniv.edu/en/announcements/detail/105503" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://fass.sabanciuniv.edu/en/announcements/detail/105503</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC3 – International Organisations and Neo-Imperial Constitutional Reform</strong></p> <ul> <li>Leiden University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-PhD-Researcher-Van-Vollenhoven-Institute-for-Law,-Governance-and-Society-%281_0-FTE%29/16924-en_US/?feedId=462333&amp;utm_source=AcademicPositions&amp;utm_campaign=UofLeiden_AcademicPos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://careers.universiteitleiden.nl/job/Leiden-PhD-Researcher-Van-Vollenhoven-Institute-for-Law,-Governance-and-Society-%281_0-FTE%29/16924-en_US/?feedId=462333&amp;utm_source=AcademicPositions&amp;utm_campaign=UofLeiden_AcademicPos</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC4 – Military Guardianship and Secular Constitutionalism</strong></p> <ul> <li>Marmara University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://soc-itbf.marmara.edu.tr/en/notice/phd-position-msca-minaret-doctoral-network-dc4-military-guardianship-and-secular-constitutionalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://soc-itbf.marmara.edu.tr/en/notice/phd-position-msca-minaret-doctoral-network-dc4-military-guardianship-and-secular-constitutionalism</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC5 – Hybrid Secularism and Constitutional Pluralism</strong></p> <ul> <li>EURAXESS Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/460504" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/460504</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC6 – Islamic Constitutional Hybridity</strong></p> <ul> <li>University of Birmingham Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10050/?utm_medium=jobshare&amp;utm_source=External+Job+Share" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10050/?utm_medium=jobshare&amp;utm_source=External+Job+Share</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC7 – Religious, Customary and State Law: Negotiating Plural Legal Orders</strong></p> <ul> <li>University of Zurich Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancies/phd-position-within-the-horizons-project-minaret-a-sociology-of-post-imperial-islamic-legal-cultures-insights-from-central-asia-the-middle-east-north-africa-and-southeast-asia/49c0edfe-ce8e-4467-bc35-1458b8c5f9da" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://jobs.uzh.ch/job-vacancies/phd-position-within-the-horizons-project-minaret-a-sociology-of-post-imperial-islamic-legal-cultures-insights-from-central-asia-the-middle-east-north-africa-and-southeast-asia/49c0edfe-ce8e-4467-bc35-1458b8c5f9da</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC8 – Islamic Ethics and Administrative Reform in Central Asia</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lund University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:978489/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:978489/</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC9 – Islamic Finance, Moral Economy and Constitutional Legitimacy</strong></p> <ul> <li>University of the West of England Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://ce0164li.webitrent.com/ce0164li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=8433573cTb&amp;VACANCY_ID=203502codq" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://ce0164li.webitrent.com/ce0164li_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=8433573cTb&amp;VACANCY_ID=203502codq</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC10 – Women&#8217;s Legal Agency Across Post-Imperial Islamic Societies</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lund University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980150/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980150/</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC11 – Constitutional Militarisation, Security and Democratic Reform</strong></p> <ul> <li>University of Birmingham Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10051/?utm_medium=jobshare&amp;utm_source=External+Job+Share" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://edzz.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_6001/job/10051/?utm_medium=jobshare&amp;utm_source=External+Job+Share</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC12 – Securitisation of Religion in Hybrid Regimes</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lund University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980246/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980246/</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC13 – Legal Trust and Constitutional Legitimacy</strong></p> <ul> <li>Sciences Po Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-recherche/en/news/call-for-applications-doctoral-contract-dc-13-legal-trust-and-constitutional-legitimacy-2027/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-recherche/en/news/call-for-applications-doctoral-contract-dc-13-legal-trust-and-constitutional-legitimacy-2027/</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC14 – Religious Education, Legal Consciousness and Social Cohesion</strong></p> <ul> <li>University of Southern Denmark Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/4357?lastSelectedFacet=CATEGORIES&amp;selectedCategoriesFacet=300000002425892" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://fa-eosd-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1001/job/4357?lastSelectedFacet=CATEGORIES&amp;selectedCategoriesFacet=300000002425892</a></strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>DC15 – Civil Islam and Non-Coercive Governance</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lund University Vacancy: <strong><a href="https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980250/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:980250/</a></strong></li> </ul> <h3>General Programme Inquiries</h3> <p>For general inquiries regarding the MINARET Doctoral Network, applicants may contact:</p> <p><strong>Dr. Rustamjon Urinboyev</strong><br /> Coordinator, MINARET Doctoral Network<br /> Email: <strong><a href="mailto:rustamjon.urinboyev@soclaw.lu.se" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rustamjon.urinboyev@soclaw.lu.se</a></strong></p> <p>Explore more <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/category/fellowship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Fellowships</strong> </a>at Opportunities for Youth (<a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OFY</strong></a>).</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/11/05/minaret-doctoral-network-2027-15-fully-funded-phd-positions-in-europe-with-msca-funding/">MINARET Doctoral Network 2027: 15 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Europe with MSCA Funding</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>