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ZWE CERES:
Religionswissenschaft
In order to fill a fixed-term position in part-time, full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%;) 01.07.2026, we are looking for 1
Research Knowledge Engineer (m/f/x)
CERES is a Central Research Unit of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum. It currently brings together over 50 researchers, making it one of the largest centers for the comparative study of religion in Europe. The position will be filled within the CRC 1475 “Metaphors of Religion” combining digital research methods with philology and religious studies to study the role of metaphors in religious communication. Based on a linguistically and historically wide-ranging corpus (including Avestan, Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic, Classical Chinese, Tibetan, and several European languages; from the second millennium BCE to the present), the CRC comparatively analyzes metaphors across traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Its research is strongly collaborative, grounded in a shared digital infrastructure and a common methodological and theoretical framework. Further details can be found at https://sfb1475.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/ Subject to a pending funding commitment from the German Research Foundation (DFG) expected in mid-May 2026, the CRC 1475 is seeking to fill a position as a research knowledge engineer in subproject Information Infrastructure (INF) under the direction of Prof. Dr. Volkhard Krech, Prof. Dr. Christoph Sander, and Prof. Dr. Frederik Elwert. One position of a research associate (TV-L E 13) is to be filled for 42 months starting on July 01, 2026.
Scope: part-time, full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 31.12.2029
Start: 01.07.2026
Apply by: 2026-03-20
Your tasks:
- OWL compliant ontology modeling of linguistic and conceptual metaphors in exchange with domain experts
- Modeling a semantic thesaurus reflecting requirements and theoretical considerations of the involved subjects and domains
Your profile:
- MA degree in Digital Humanities, or MA degree in either a humanities discipline or a computer science related discipline with documented experience in digital humanities (PhD desirable)
- Knowledge of relevant upper and domain ontologies in the humanities (e.g., CIDOC CRM, FRBRoo, BFO)
- Profound knowledge of relevant Semantic Web technologies, interoperability formats, and Linked Open Data workflows (RDF, SPARQL, OWL, SHACL etc.)
- Good communication skills and abilities to explain abstract technicalities for non-DH domain experts
- Interest in conceptual metaphor theory and religious studies
- Willingness to contribute to academic publications and presentations
- Very good knowledge of English or German, and a willingness to learn the other language
In addition, the following qualifications are desirable:
- Experience with semantic taxonomies, e.g. in SKOS
- Knowledge of linguistic and/or religious studies related concepts and research, esp. related to (religious) metaphors
- Experience with relevant NFDI consortia and their data federation pipelines
- Ongoing or completed Ph.D. in a digital humanities related subject
We offer:
- An interdisciplinary research environment including colleagues from computational linguistics, digital humanities, religious studies, and various philologies
- The opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in a structured graduate program with strong support
- Flexible and family-friendly working conditions
- Professional development, mentoring, and training
- The opportunity to join one of the largest universities in Germany, embedded in the University Alliance Ruhr
- Possibility to work part-time
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Your detailed application should include the following documents: (1) Cover letter, including your motivation for the position, (2) Curriculum vitae, including publications, if applicable, (3) Transcript of records, (4) Sample of your academic writing (e.g. Master's thesis, academic poster, or software documentation); optionally sample of your coding work (e.g., link to source code repository), (5) Names and email addresses of two references. Please submit your application via the online form. Interviews will take place in April 2026 via video conference (Zoom). The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr. Frederik Elwert , Tel.: +49 234 32 23024
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-03-20. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5474.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
SOCIAL MEDIA