Associate Islamic Studies Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position: Salary Scale . The current minimum salary range for this position is $69,073-$82,836. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: Fall 2026
Position duration: Two-year term position, with possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.
Application Window
Open date: August 7, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.
Position description
Berkeley Law is consistently ranked as one of the top law schools in the nation. The law school has produced leaders in law, government, and society, including Chief Justice of the United States Earl Warren, Secretary of State of the United States Dean Rusk, Attorney General of the United States Edwin Meese, United States Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman of the Federal Reserve G. William Miller, and former Solicitor General of the United States Theodore Olson.
At Berkeley Law, we are committed to excellence in education and scholarship, as well as equality of opportunity. We believe we have a responsibility to use our substantial intellectual capital to help solve real-world problems and to create a more just society through clinics, research, and policy engagement. We believe that a Berkeley Law degree is a tool for change, both locally and globally, and that we should be educating the leaders of tomorrow. We maintain an environment that nurtures academic and personal growth, respects a diversity of ideas, and stimulates independent thought and critical reasoning.
The mission of the Robbins Collection Research Center is to promote and sponsor comparative research and study in the fields of religious and civil law, including Jewish and Islamic law and the various Christian traditions. Accordingly, the Robbins Collection Research Center organizes workshops, public conferences, lectures, joint research ventures, and hosts scholars and fellows throughout the year.
This postdoctoral position is designed to advance high-level scholarly inquiry in Comparative Islamic Law and Technology while fostering the fellow's trajectory as an independent researcher. The appointee will engage in rigorous comparative research, contribute to the academic life of the Robbins Center and Berkeley Law, and prepare major publications. A successful candidate's research program should explicitly build upon or complement their doctoral dissertation either by broadening the geographical or methodological scope of their PhD findings, applying their dissertation's framework to new primary sources, or developing their doctoral thesis into a monograph alongside a new comparative project.
Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative research in comparative Islamic and civil law, advancing ongoing projects while initiating new and original lines of inquiry, particularly in the fields of private law and individual rights.
• Collaborate with faculty and fellow researchers to advance scholarly debate and dialogue in the field of comparative Islamic and civil law.
• Produce, present, and publish original research contributing to the scholarly discussions in the field.
• Contribute to the academic community by engaging in seminars, conferences, and related scholarly activities, and by assisting in their conceptualization and organization.

Department: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/the-robbins-collection/about-us/
Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• A PhD or SJD/JSD (or equivalent international degree) or enrolled in a PhD or SJD/JSD (or equivalent international degree) program.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• A PhD or SJD/JSD (or equivalent international degree)
• No more than three years of post-degree research experience .

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in civil and religious law such as Jewish and Islamic law.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse research environment.
• English language proficiency expected
• Arabic, Punjabi, and/or Urdu language proficiency preferred.

Application Requirements
Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Description of your Research Plan - Up to five pages - this document should state your hypothesis and how it relates to the existing research and also how it is connected to Robbins Collection mission
• Doctoral Dissertation - Brief summary of up to five pages of your doctoral dissertation.

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF05484
Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy ( APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA