ABOUT THE PROJECT
Philology once defined what it meant to be scientific - and it may yet once again. Increasingly a broad array of scholars using digital methods cite the historical accomplishments of philology as a model for systematic study around unwieldy and heterogenous textual corpuses. Despite this renewed interest, there is still no systemic account for the huge range of activity and aegis, data and networks, that propelled philology to its status as a model or even the 'queen of science' in 19th-century Europe. In drawing on history of science, media studies, information studies and diverse textual methods, this project offers that holistic account of how and why philology as a 'science in the making' achieved such extraordinary success. It articulates the widely sought yet unachieved bridge that would permit rigorous interdisciplinary exchange between philology - its historical and contemporary iterations - and present-day endeavors in the fields of digital humanities, critical data studies, infrastructure studies and de/post-colonial studies.
PhiSci takes philology seriously as a science and gives it the kind of treatment that has dominated history of science for the last generation. Pioneering a novel account of philology from the French Revolution to First World War, it pursues a central question: How did local ensembles of protocols, representation, instrumentation and cooperation consolidate into robust programs for the genesis of stable knowledge and knowledge communities? It gives special attention to heterogeneity and universality in key concepts and practices and to physical aspects like media and infrastructure: elements undervalued or rarely grasped in terms of their epistemic work for producing data, evidence and facts. PhiSci will thus explain how philology operated as a relational system that - in the diversity of its data and perpetual flux in its projects and personnel –projected unity that enabled it to wield a scientific authority greater than the sum of its parts.
This team project comprises 4 research strands: a history of infrastructure for Semitic philology (PI); a media history for Indo-Iranian philology (Postdoc 1); a history of strategic cooperation for Romance and Germanic philology (Predoc); and a history of practice for Classical philology (Postdoc 2). Every strand has its own focus and set of case studies. While each researcher takes responsibility for developing their own individual strand, the team as a whole works collaboratively on a series of cross-cutting themes that bind these strands together.
YOUR TASKS
As a member of the ERC research group and the UGent Department of History, your task will be to work together with the international, multidisciplinary team under the supervision of the PI. You will bring your own ideas to the topic and help shape research on your assigned strand: namely, the history of media and representation in Indo-Iranian philology. The specific line of inquiry for this sub-project will examine the transformation of physical artifacts into stable, standardized ‘texts’ through processes of copying, collecting, archiving, circulating, and printing - with a particular focus on typefaces, squeezes, and photography in colonial India.
Based on this research, the postdoctoral fellow is expected to publish a monograph, (co)author scientific articles, disseminate results at international seminars and conferences, and lend support to other project and departmental activities. Yet while pursuing the project objectives, they are also encouraged to develop their profile, enhance their skills, and involve themselves in other activities of interest to them, especially in the Department, the Faculty, and the University.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
REQUIRED
- A PhD in Indian studies, Iranian studies, or another closely related field. Candidates from other fields may apply if able to show sufficient expertise and experience in the research domain
Note: as per university policy, the doctorate must have been obtained a maximum of 6 years before the start date of the position. (The term of 6 years is determined by the date written on the diploma.)
- Excellence, motivation, and ambition in research
- Strong track record of high-quality publication
- Expertise in Indo-Iranian languages and literatures
- Competence in codicology and/or epigraphy
- Proficiency in reading German and/or French as well as in writing academic English
- Ability to develop a research line independently within the project’s parameters
- Willingness to communicate and collaborate actively as a team member
- Readiness to organize academic events
DESIRED
- Capability of combining technical philological expertise and theoretical analysis
- A first monograph complete or in final stage of production by the start date
- Documented international experience
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Your contract will run for a term of 24 months, which can be extended for another 24 months following positive evaluation.
- Your start date will ideally be 1 February 2023, although this can be negotiated.
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1.
- You will work in a dynamic, stimulating, and supportive environment in Ghent, as part of a new research group in the history of humanities.
- Arrangements can be made for some remote work and flexible hours to encourage healthy work-life balance.
- 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 of a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, a vacation allowance and end-of-year bonus, yearly accumulation of seniority with automatic pay indexation, compensation for public transport or a biking/walking allowance, and eco vouchers.
INTERESTED?
Submit your application no later than 23.59 (CET) on 5 September 2022 via the UGent e-recruitment system. We cannot accept applications sent late, sent incomplete, or sent other than via the online system.
Your application must include the following documents (in PDF): Cover Letter, CV, Names of 2 Referees, List of Publications, Copy of PhD degree (or evidence of imminent completion), 2 Writing Samples.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, anyone is encouraged to apply for this position, especially those who identify as women or people of color as well as those otherwise underrepresented at the University.
SELECTION TIMELINE
Applications should be submitted on or before 5 September 2022.
All candidates will be notified by mid-September whether they proceed to interview
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in Ghent in mid-October.
Final candidates will be informed of the outcome by end of October.
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 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 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.