UKRI Research Fellow in Syriac astronomy and related sciences

Job title:

UKRI Research Fellow in Syriac astronomy and related sciences

Company

University College London

Job description

About usContext: the UKRI Frontier Research ProjectThis Research Fellowship is part of a five-year project on ‘Astronomy, calendar, and related sciences in Near Eastern cultures, third-eighth centuries CE’ (NEAstr), funded by a UKRI Frontier Research grant (ERC Advanced Grant funded by UKRI). The Principal Investigator is Professor Sacha Stern (UCL Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies).NEAstr investigates the history of astronomy, calendar computation, and related sciences (astrology, cosmology, chronology) in the Near East from the third to eighth centuries CE. This period has been marginalised by falling between two periods of Near Eastern pre-eminence in these sciences: ancient Mesopotamia before it (cuneiform ceased in the first century CE), and after it, the Arabic scientific renaissance under the Abbasids. Yet in the intervening period, astronomy and calendar sciences thrived and continued developing in local Near Eastern languages, in a variety of religious and cultural traditions.The research focuses on a still poorly known body of literature in Syriac, Aramaic, Hebrew and Armenian, mainly in the Christian and Jewish traditions, and also extends to old Arabic, Middle Persian, and Mandaic. The project will produce historical studies, critical editions and translations, and a purposely constructed, open-access website incorporating a database and a multi-lingual scientific glossary.NEAstr evaluates the extent to which astronomy and calendar sciences in Near Eastern cultures preserved the earlier, Mesopotamian astronomical tradition, drew on contemporary Hellenistic scholarship, and impacted the later rise of Arabic astronomy. As a multi-disciplinary team, we investigate the fluid, trans-disciplinary relationship between these sciences, their broader cultural impact, and how they transcended, in the late antique and early medieval Near East, the boundaries of languages, religions and cultural difference.About the roleDuties and responsibilitiesThe Research Fellow will be responsible for the Syriac body of literature within this project. Research tasks will include: * Update and expand the inventories of Syriac astronomical and astrological texts and manuscripts in Villey (2012, 2018) and Rudolf (2018), to include in addition (1) astronomical and astrological texts embedded in other, non-scientific works; (2) texts on related sciences, especially calendar computation, which hitherto have not been given much attention; (3) Syriac manuscript collections outside the main European ones, which have not yet been comprehensively searched.

• Produce and publish critical editions (with translation and commentary) of unedited texts, or texts in need of critical edition, such as George bishop of the Arabs’ treatise on chronology, the Syriac Book of Medicine, and the Hexaemeron of Jacob of Edessa.
• Investigate edited works of Syriac astronomy and related sciences in the third-eighth centuries CE.
• Contribute to the construction of the multi-lingual scientific glossary.
• Participate in person at weekly team meetings and at the project workshops, and collaborate with team members on the overall research questions of the project.
• Publish three peer-reviewed articles (in addition to the critical editions)

The appointed researcher will be mentored by the PI and reside in or near London. S/he will informally collaborate with Prof. Emilie Villey and Dr Olivier Defaux (Paris) and their current research especially on Severus Sebokht.The appointment will start from 1 February 2025 for five years until 31 January 2030. The appointment is at Grade 7 (currently starting from £42,099 per annum including London allowance).About youPerson specificationEssential requirements:

• A PhD (or PhD thesis submitted) in Syriac or a related field
• Excellent knowledge of Syriac
• Experience of reading Syriac scientific literature, and a demonstrable interest in researching Syriac astronomy and related sciences.

• Relevant project administrative experience and good organisational skills
• Excellent oral, written and visual communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a dynamic project
• Ability to manage own day to day workload and play a full role in supporting the delivery of the project
• Ability to actively follow policies such as those relating to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Fire and Health & Safety regulations, data governance and risk assessment procedures.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Syriac astronomical, calendrical, and/or related scientific literature.
• Knowledge of Arabic, Garshuni, and/or Mandaic.
• A strong record of peer-reviewed academic publications.

Please submit the following additional documentation as a single PDF file: * A CV (maximum 2 pages), including the contact details of two referees.

• A letter of application (maximum 3 pages) explaining the reasons for your interest in the post and outlining why you are well qualified for it.
• A writing sample (one research-based chapter or article, max. 15,000 words). Please send a published piece if possible; if not, a chapter of your PhD thesis.

What we offerWhat we offerAs well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below.Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Immigration loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionOur commitment to Equality, Diversity and InclusionAs London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people of Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.Available documents

Expected salary

£42099 per year

Location

North West London

Job date

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 04:51:04 GMT

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.