One PhD Position on the Transnational Politics of Latin in the Digital Age is offered as part of the Young Academy Groningen Interdisciplinary PhD programme (project theme number 2: https://www.rug.nl/phd-scholarships?details=00347-02S00092KP).

As a PhD scholarship student, you will develop your own research project in consultation with the associated supervisors. You will conduct independent and original academic research and report results via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and ultimately a PhD thesis. The PhD thesis has to be completed within four years. Being part of a cutting-edge research programme, you will receive research training as well as a varied educational training program including transferable skills and future (academic or non-academic) career training for after the PhD trajectory, in the context of our Career Perspective Series.

Project Description
What does it mean to use Latin in the 21st century? Latin has long ceased to be spoken as a native language, it is no longer the shared language of European scholars and intellectuals, and even its role within the Catholic church is now comparatively minor. This means that using Latin now represents a particular choice, a choice which can be meaningful and significant. The messages which the use of Latin can convey can be extremely varied: for example, Latin is able to convey a sense of general intellectual authority (as in legal or medical discourse), to create an aura of mystery, or to underline a claim to a supposedly prestigious western intellectual heritage. Latin can also suggest military might or imperial ambitions through its evocation of the Roman empire, or create a link to mythical medieval societies among extreme-right groups (e.g. the use of crusader motto ‘Deus Vult’ by white supremacists in the US).
In this project, we aim to investigate the use of the Latin language in current online political discourse: for example, the use of well-known Latin phrases like sic semper tyrannis as hashtags or in social media posts. Why are large numbers of people using a ‘dead’ language when discussing politics online? What ideas about tradition, class, race, religion or power does their choice of Latin convey? How do such ideas travel: transnationally, between political orientations, between media? And what does this tell us about how contemporary political discourse operates? The novelty of this project lies: (1) in focusing on Latin itself as a communicative tool and symbol in modern political speech; (2) in the inclusion of the kinds of political discourse that are not often taken seriously or studied by scholars, but which we now know to be crucial in spreading (potentially extreme) political ideas (e.g. internet fora, Facebook or Twitter posts); (3) in offering a new approach towards understanding the transnational circulation of political discourse and its importance for group identity through the systematic examination of the use of Latin - a language not exclusively associated with any specific country.
The PhD candidate will design a project which combines a global analysis of this large-scale phenomenon with in-depth interpretation of individual instances. Given that this is a project aiming to break new ground on an underexplored phenomenon, the selected PhD candidate will have significant room to define the relevant approaches to the topic based on their interests and expertise. Potentially relevant angles on this topic include, but are not limited to: reception studies, politics of memory, political discourse in social media, far-right politics, construction of transnational identities or the circulation of political ideas. Applicants are encouraged to check the project website for some examples of Latin phrases used on social media: https://usesoflatin.wordpress.com/

Supervisors:
Dr. Bettina Reitz-Joosse (Latin Language and Literature - Faculty of Arts) and Dr. Julia Costa Lopez (International Relations - Faculty of Arts)
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors (b.l.reitz-josse@rug.nl and j.costa.lopez@rug.nl) for further details and clarifications on the research project and on the application process.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- a background in either social sciences (e.g. international relations, political science, media studies) or humanities (e.g. classics, history, modern literature), as well as an affinity for the respective other
- at least a basic knowledge of Latin
- very good reading knowledge of at least two modern languages besides English
- excellent written/spoken English
- knowledge of and/or interest in the digital humanities.

Organisation
The University of Groningen is a comprehensive research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has been our top priority for over four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.
The Young Academy Groningen (YAG), established in 2016, is an organization that brings together the most enthusiastic, positive and ambitious young researchers from diverse academic backgrounds. Our aim is to support the development of interdisciplinary research initiatives. To facilitate this, each year we have three PhD Scholarship positions available to help foster interdisciplinary collaborations amongst YAG members.

Conditions
The positions are offered within the UG PhD Scholarship Programme. This programme is issued by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) within the framework of the national PhD Scholarship Experiment. PhD scholarship students receive a scholarship (stipend) of € 2,249 per month (gross) from the University of Groningen for a period of four years. The terms and conditions of the PhD Scholarship Programme are set out on the following website: https://www.rug.nl/(...)ditions-application/
Starting date: September 2022
Deadline to apply: 1 May 2022
Application
Apply until midnight 1 May. Applications should include:
1. A brief letter of motivation mentioning which Project (Project 1-4) you are applying for.
2. A CV, including contact details of two academic referees
3. A research proposal of max. 1500 words
4. A certified transcript of records.
5. Scan of Diploma/transcripts
6. a research writing sample (e.g. research/seminar paper or BA/MA thesis).
In order to apply and for more information, please go to the following website: https://www.rug.nl/phd-scholarships?details=00347-02S00092KP

Postdoc Project (18 months, 1.0 fte), University of Groningen
Anchoring Work Package 12: Modern Europe

Supervisors
Dr. Bettina Reitz-Joosse (Groningen) and Prof. dr. Han Lamers (Oslo)

Salary Range
Between € 3.821,- and € 5.230,- gross per month

Starting Date
September 1, 2022

Application Deadline
April 24, 2022

Job Description
The project ‘Anchoring the Fascist Revolution’, which is part of the Anchoring Innovation research agenda, explores the ways in which Ancient Greek and Latin have been used to promote and legitimize Fascist regimes and ideologies. In particular, these languages have served to ‘anchor’ these radical and revolutionizing political movements in an idealized, ancient past. So far, the project team has mainly focused on the role of Latin in Fascist Italy (1922-1943). We would now like to add a comparative perspective to the project. Therefore, we are searching for a postdoctoral researcher who will investigate whether there are comparable or contrasting dynamics to be observed under German National Socialism (1933-1945). The postdoctoral researcher will study the role of Latin and/or Ancient Greek as anchoring devices under German National Socialism. The research project may for example address one or more of the following topics:

The study or use of Ancient Greek and/or Latin in National Socialist circles and/or in resistance movements;
The role and visibility of Ancient Greek and/or Latin in German public culture between 1933 and 1945;
The changing role of Ancient Greek and/or Latin in the German educational curriculum between 1933 and 1945;
The role of ancient Greek or Roman authors in historical narratives of heritage, affinity or cooperation between Greece or Rome and Germany;
A comparative analysis of the role of Ancient Greek and/or Latin under Italian Fascism and German National Socialism.
Besides pursuing her/his own research, the successful candidate will play an active part in the research team, including student supervision and organizational tasks, and contribute to ‘Fascist Latin Texts’, our digital open access library of Fascist Latin, supported by the University of Oslo.

Candidates for this postdoc position are invited to submit (1) an abstract for a paper and (2) a plan for a workshop they consider relevant to the subject, addressing one or more of the above-mentioned subject areas or related topics and relating them to the concept of ‘anchoring’. More information about the Anchoring Innovation research agenda of OIKOS can be found on the website (www.anchoringinnovation.nl), including an article by Ineke Sluiter, entitled “Anchoring Innovation: a Classical Research Agenda”.

Host Institution
University of Groningen, Faculty of Arts, the Groningen Research Institute for the Study of Culture (ICOG). For more information see: www.rug.nl/let/ and www.rug.nl/research/icog/. An additional research affiliation with the Department of Philosophy, Classics, and the History of Art and Ideas of the University of Oslo is possible (www.hf.uio.no/ifikk/english/research).

Terms & Conditions
Postdoc project, 18 months (1.0 fte, 38 hrs per week), starting date to be agreed upon, with a preference for September 1, 2022. Initially the employee will receive a one-year contract, with extension for the following 6 months on condition of a positive evaluation. Salary range (depending on education and experience) of a minimum of € 3.821,- and a maximum of € 5.230,- (salary scale 11) gross per month for full-time employment, (pay scale for postdoctoral researchers, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities). This includes medical and pension benefits. If desired, the position may be held part-time and thereby extended in length. Groningen University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday allowance (8%) and end-of-year bonus (8.3%), training and career development. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Tasks of the Postdoc will include
Researching, writing and publishing two research papers;
Contributing to the organization of a workshop and/or a conference;
Presenting papers at conferences, both in the Netherlands and internationally;
Contributing to the further development of the online library Fascist Latin Texts;
Taking part in the life of the Classics Department at Groningen University and participating in the academic community of the national research school OIKOS (especially the research group Classical Receptions and Traditions) and the wider Anchoring Innovation program.

Requirements
A PhD in a relevant field (e.g. Classics, Ancient History, Modern (Cultural) History, Classical Reception), held by time of appointment;
An excellent research and publication record in relation to stage of career;
Very good knowledge of Ancient Greek and/or Latin;
Excellent command of English, very good command of German;
A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
Some organizational experience.

Diversity
The Anchoring Innovation program is strongly committed to diversity within its team and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.

Information
Enquiries about the position can be addressed to Dr. Bettina Reitz-Joosse, b.l.reitz-joosse@rug.nl Questions about the procedure can be directed to Dr. Suzanne van de Liefvoort, anchoring@let.ru.nl.

Application
In order to be admissible, applications must include the following information (in the same order), in one PDF file (not zipped):

Cover letter, describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for this particular position;
CV, including contact information of two referees;
Transcript of records (i.e. a list of BA and MA courses and grades);
Copy of relevant diploma or statement by PhD supervisor confirming that the applicant will hold the required degree at the time of appointment.
Due to the pioneering nature of this research project, we do not, at this stage, expect a fully developed research proposal. Instead, interested candidates should submit:

An abstract for a hypothetical paper on a case study or theoretical problem that the candidate considers relevant to the project (max. 500 words);
A plan for a hypothetical workshop/conference on a subject they consider relevant to the project, possibly organized in collaboration with other members of the Anchoring Innovation project (abstract of the topic; outline of the workshop/conference; list of envisioned speakers) (max. 700 words).

Please submit your complete application to Dr. Suzanne van de Liefvoort, the coordinator of the Anchoring-program via anchoring@let.ru.nl before April 24, 2022. Interviews will take place in the week of 30 May – 3 June 2022 and will possibly be held online.