Masoumeh and Fereydoon Soudavar Professorship in Persian Studies

he Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) is seeking applications for the Masoumeh and Fereydoon Soudavar Professorship of Persian Studies, available from 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. The post is offered in association with a non-stipendiary fellowship at Wadham College.

 

The ideal candidate would be one who, whatever their specialisation, could through a broad interest in the whole sweep of Persian Studies, function as a link to draw together the various areas of Persian Studies currently represented in the University. Persian Studies is interpreted widely, to include any historical period from the medieval to the modern. Applications are now invited from scholars of Persian history and/or literature. On this occasion, however, we would particularly welcome applications from scholars who can enhance the existing strengths and complement the teaching and supervision needs of the Faculty. The Soudavar Professor will be required to teach on the BA in Persian Studies, and on the MSt and MPHil in Islamic Studies and History and/or the MSc and MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies. Regardless of individual research specialization, AMES requires teaching and supervision in Persian history and/or literature, ideally across the broad time period covered by the scope of the post.

 

You will be a scholar of the highest international calibre, with an outstanding record of research and publication on Persian Studies. You should have the ability to teach and inspire students at all levels and have the experience and willingness to undertake administration. You should possess strong leadership qualities and will be ready to represent and promote the interests of Persian Studies in Oxford, as well as nationally and internationally. AMES is committed to the view that all disciplines must be studied on the basis of mastery of original languages, and therefore you should be fully expert in Persian and to be able to use the primary sources that are central to Persian Studies.

 

The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon UK time on Monday 29 September 2025. Interviews are expected to be held in January 2026.

 

Informal enquiries are welcome and may be made in strict confidence to Professor Yuhan S-D Vevaina (yuhan.vevaina@ames.ox.ac.uk ).

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