Postdoctoral Position in African Digital Humanities (Manuscript and Philological Studies) Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in

The Chair of Transitions at the Institute of Advanced Studies, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), invites applications for a postdoctoral position in African Digital Humanities, focusing on manuscript and philological studies. UM6P is an internationally oriented institution committed to high standards of teaching and research, with a strong emphasis on sustainable economic development in Morocco and Africa. The university offers a vibrant research environment, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and a platform for experimentation and innovation.

This postdoctoral opportunity is embedded within the Kamara Portal project, which centers on the works of Shaykh Musa Kamara, a major Muslim intellectual of West Africa. The project explores Islamic intellectual production in the Greater Western Sahel, examining religious, spatial, and epistemological transitions. It aims to develop digital humanities methods that renew philological practice, contributing to broader initiatives in digital transformation and the reconfiguration of intellectual heritage across Africa.

The postdoctoral fellow will join the Kamara Portal at a formative stage, contributing to the development of a manuscript-based digital research platform. Responsibilities include creating a pilot multilingual digital edition and commentary interface for Kamara’s major historical work, conducting comparative analysis across manuscript versions, working with Arabic texts and French/English commentary, and collaborating in shaping the digital research environment. Participation in regular research meetings and project publications is integral to the role. By the end of the first year, the fellow will support the implementation of the pilot multilingual edition anchoring the project’s next phase.

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Islamic Studies, Area Studies, African History, Religious Studies, Intellectual History, Comparative Literature, or a closely related field. Reading proficiency in Arabic and French is required, along with demonstrated strength in textual and historical analysis. Interest in digital humanities methods and collaborative research practices is essential. The ability to work across manuscript materials and multiple textual witnesses is expected. Assets include specialization in Islam in West Africa, experience with manuscript studies or textual criticism, familiarity with Pulaar or other Sahelian languages, and exposure to digital text analysis, encoding, or corpus comparison tools. Advanced technical expertise is not required at the outset, but willingness to learn new tools and engage critically with computational methods is important.

The position offers the opportunity to join a dynamic intellectual environment within the Chair of Transitions, engaging questions of African humanities, methodological innovation, and the changing conditions of knowledge production. The university’s commitment to research and innovation ensures a supportive setting for interdisciplinary scholarship.

Applications should be submitted via the academic positions portal. Candidates are encouraged to prepare a CV, cover letter, and evidence of language proficiency and relevant research experience. The application deadline is unspecified; early submission is recommended. For further information, contact the university or visit the application portal.