Postdoctoral fellow - Department of Literary Studies

Last application date Jul 15, 2024 00:00

Department LW07 - Department of Literary Studies

Contract Limited duration

Degree doctoral degree in Classics or Byzantine Studies, with a focus on Greek

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

Job description

Ghent University’s Department of Literary Studies (Section of Greek) is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow. The fellow will become a member of the research team of the GOA (Concerted Research Action) project “Interconnected texts. A graph-based computational approach to Byzantine paratexts as nodes between textual transmission and cultural and linguistic developments” (Faculty of Arts, Department of Literary Studies). The project is based on the corpus of Byzantine book epigrams available at https://www.dbbe.ugent.be/. It aims to investigate book epigrams as texts at the threshold between the material and the textual, and to explore the possibilities of innovative technologies to pursue multifaceted humanities research. The project brings together linguistic, literary, historical and computational experts. For the next years (2024-2027), we want to expand our team with an expert in Byzantine Greek philology. 

Your job

• You conduct research on book epigrams and on medieval-Greek book culture in general, resulting in individual and co-authored publications. This is your main task.
• You supervise the maintenance and further development of the Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams, and assist in coordinating the DBBE research team.
• You help ensure that the manuscript research finds its way into the public outreach of the section of Greek at Ghent University.

Job profile

Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree in Classics or Byzantine Studies, with a focus on Greek, or a diploma or certificate in the same field, recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• You have an excellent knowledge of classical and Byzantine Greek.
• You have experience in working with Greek manuscripts, and in studying them in their cultural-historical context.
• You have experience with or a keen interest in digital humanities, in particular with databases.
• You have published in leading scientific journals and/or in books with academic publishers.
• You communicate fluently in English, both orally and in writing. You have a good command, at least passively, of several other languages important to Byzantine studies.
• You like working independently, but you also function excellently in a research team, where you enjoy taking responsibility.

What we can offer you

• A full time position as a postdoctoral fellow for a period of 1 year, which can be extended, if the two parties agree, to 3 years in total.
• Your contract will preferably start between September 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).
• Working experience in a dynamic research environment that is on the forefront of Digital Humanities in Byzantine studies

Legal conditions for the postdoctoral fellowship

The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher.

About Ghent University

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.
With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

How to apply

How to apply

Send your CV, copy of your diplomas (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to Kristoffel.Demoen@UGent.be and Floris.Bernard@UGent.be by July 15.
We do not accept late applications.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to write a brief research statement on a specific topic, and will be invited to Ghent for a job interview in the second half of August.
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Professor Kristoffel Demoen and Professor Floris Bernard (e-mails as above).