Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Medieval Studies

Job description

Two Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (SKO 1352) in Medieval Studies are available at the Department of Conservation, Archaeology, and History, University of Oslo. The position is funded by the European Research Council and associated with the ERC Advanced Grant project 101018645 MINiTEXTS “Minuscule Texts: Marginalized Voices in Early Medieval Latin Culture (c. 700–c.1000)”, funded by the European Research Council and led by Professor Ildar Garipzanov (Principal Investigator).

MINiTEXTS seeks to systematically study early medieval Latin minuscule texts (also known as “guest texts” or “microtexts”), i.e. short texts which were added in large numbers, before c. 1000, to flyleaves, margins and other blank spaces of pre-900 Latin manuscripts. MINiTEXTS examines such textual additions as a unique corpus of practical knowledge deeply embedded in the social praxis of early medieval society and aspires to understand the “social logic” of such texts as well as the social, religious, and cultural practices that they signify.

More about the position

Successful candidates will become members of the project team. In close collaboration with the project leader and other project members, they will work on specific types of early medieval minuscule texts identified by the project.

• Postdoctoral fellowship 1 is linked to MINiTEXTS’ Sub-project 3 (The Christian Norm & Liturgical Practices), and the successful applicant will analyze early medieval liturgical textual additions and pen trials in non-liturgical manuscripts. 
• Postdoctoral fellowship 2 is linked to MINiTEXTS’ Sub-project 5 (Cultures of Healing & Medical Practices) and the successful applicant will analyze early medieval medical and para-medical textual additions in non-medical manuscripts.

Applicants are invited to propose a project proposal pertinent to one of these two themes and clearly indicate the chosen theme in the application leatter.

The positions are available for a period of 3 years starting from January 2023. There is a 10 % component of the position which is devoted to administrative duties.

The main purpose of postdoctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in higher academic positions within their disciplines. The successful candidate is expected to become part of the research milieu or network and contribute to its development.

Qualification requirements

• PhD or equivalent academic qualifications within medieval studies with a specialization in medieval liturgy (Postdoc 1) or the history of medieval “cultures of healing” (Postdoc 2)
• The candidate's research project must be closely connected to one of the two work packages mentioned above
• Competence in medieval Latin
• Training in Latin paleography and academic experience of working with early medieval Latin manuscripts
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• The project's scientific merit, research-related relevance and innovation
• The applicant's estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the allocated time frame and contribute to MINiTEXTS
• Academic qualifications and academic production in the field of medieval studies
• Ability to create and contribute to a positive environment for collaboration
• Good co-operative skills, and the ability to successfully join in academic collaboration within and across disciplines on an international level

In the evaluation of the qualified candidates the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed.

We offer

• Salary NOK 534 400 – 615 800 per annum depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits

How to apply

The application must include

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising academic work, relevant qualifications, and suitability for the announced position), maximum 2 pages
• Curriculum Vitae (educational background, academic positions, list of publications, administrative experience, and other relevant activities)
• Project description (appox. 3 - 5 pages, maximum 14,000 characters. See Template for project descriptions). The project description must present a feasible progress plan. It is expected that the applicant will be able to complete the project during the period of appointment
• An academic publication, to be considered as most relevant for the position (no longer than 30 pages in total). In longer publications, applicants should specify the relevant pages
• Copies of educational certificates and transcripts
• List of 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”.

The short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.