The University of Bonn is an international research university offering a broad range of subjects. With a 200-year history, some 35,000 students, more than 6,000 employees and an outstanding reputation in Germany and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the leading universities in Germany and has been awarded the status of a University of Excellence.
From 1 April 2023 onwards, the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies seeks to employ for 24 months, until 31 March 2025, one
Postdoctoral Research Associate (100%)
The successful candidate will be employed at the Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) and will be working in the research team of Prof. Dr. Julia Hillner, on the AHRC-DFG funded project “Connecting Late Antiquities”, a collaboration with the Universities of Exeter and London (see https://classics.exeter.ac.uk/research/projects/late-antiquities/).
“Connecting Late Antiquities (CLA)” uses new digital methods to transform our understanding of social relationships in late antiquity. As well as producing an updated, digital edition of the Prosopography of the Later Roman Empire I-III (PLRE), the project will create an electronic resource that combines PLRE data with data drawn from other printed and online prosopographical studies of the period. The project will also investigate the roles played by lay-ecclesiastical networks in late Roman North Africa as well as mobility and interactions between different social strata in late antique Britain through original prosopographical research.
For this position, we are looking for applicants with expertise in the social, political, cultural and/or religious history of late antiquity (c. 200-700) as well as in prosopography, and with an interest in digital methods.
Your tasks:
- Collaborating with the teams in Exeter and London on the digitisation of PLRE, taking responsibility for PLRE III
- Conducting research on individuals from late antique Britain not listed in PLRE, or other existing resources
- Creating prosopographical entries on late antique Britain for the wider CLA electronic resource.
- Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis of prosopographical data pertaining to social and geographical connections of individuals associated with late antique Britain beyond the civic elite spheres.
- Presenting results at conferences and write up results for single-authored and/or co-authored project publications
- Co-organising a panel at the International Medieval Congress in 2024, and of the final project conference
Your profile:
- a completed master’s degree or equivalent
- PhD in Classics, History, or a related subject area
- Proven ability to carry out high-quality research on late antiquity (c.200-c.700 CE)
- Experience of working across a range of ancient sources, and with epigraphy
- Familiarity with prosopographical methods and resources; digital skills (esp. TEI XML, network analysis) are desirable, but not essential
- Linguistic proficiency in the relevant ancient languages and in English
- Ability to work both within a team and independently
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to undertake administrative duties
We offer:
- remuneration in accordance with TV-L pay grade 13
- The opportunity for conducting independent research and the necessary support and infrastructure to do so
- Training in relevant digital methods
- The opportunity for exchange visits between Germany and the UK
- A collaborative and international work environment where ideas are encouraged and supported
- Participation in the international Cluster of Excellence "Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies"
- Access to the Bonn Argelander Programme for Early Career Researchers
- Institutional support for applicants with families and for women
- Flexible working hours
- an international and diverse working environment and team, varied and interesting work in a large-scale research project at one of the largest employers in the region
- the additional pension scheme of the public service (VBL)
- various opportunities for professional and personal development
- numerous offers of university sports
- very good transport connections and the opportunity to purchase a VRS public transport ticket or to use inexpensive parking facilities
Applicants are asked to submit:
1. An application consisting of:
a. a letter of motivation (max. 3 pages),
b. a curriculum vitae,
c. a list of publications, and
d. one copy of your PhD certificate.
2. The name and contact of two referees (position, professional address, and e-mail).
Please submit all documents in English.
The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university and aims to increase the number of women employed in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers. To that end, it urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable candidates with a certified disability or equivalent status are particularly welcome.
If you are interested in this position, please send your complete application documents by January 19, 2023 to application@dependency.uni-bonn.de with the application code 109/22/3.202. Before sending your application, please combine and convert all your documents into one PDF file.
For informal enquiries please contact Prof. Hillner at j.hillner@uni-bonn.de.