Postdoctoral Researcher, TiNT Project, Level 1

Research Centre: School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music 
Post duration: 36 months from 1st September 2020

Introduction 

Dublin City University (www.dcu.ie) is a research-intensive, globally-engaged, dynamic institution that is distinguished by both the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit. DCU prepares its students well for success in life, and in the workplace, by providing a high-quality, rounded education appropriate to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. As Ireland’s University of Enterprise and Transformation, DCU is characterised by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and a track-record of effective engagement with the enterprise sector, including commercial, social and cultural enterprises. Excellence in its education and research activities has led to its consistent position in the rankings of the world’s top young universities (e.g. QS top 50 Under 50; THE top 100 under 50). DCU has a strong track record in attracting both Irish and European Union funding under FP7, Horizon 2020, Marie Curie Actions and Erasmus. We offer a dynamic and internationally focused environment in which to advance your academic career.

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music in Dublin City University is a dynamic and interdisciplinary School located in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The academic study of religion in DCU is pursued through the complementary disciplines of Theology and Religious Studies, offering students, on a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, an understanding of the historical and contemporary significance of religious faith and religious traditions. The School offers excellent opportunities for staff to teach within their own areas of research expertise and to pursue funding for their own research projects. The School is committed to high quality research and supports its staff in such work.

The Project

The Titles of the New Testament: A New Approach to Manuscripts and the History of Interpretation (TiNT) project is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement n° 847428). The project seeks to digitally edit every form of every title in every non-lectionary

Greek manuscript that preserves part of the New Testament, using this data to contribute to new research related to six research questions:

1. the diachronic development of paratextual traditions;
2. the provenance of New Testament works;
3. the relationship between bibliography and canon;
4. the design and artistic features of manuscripts;
5. scribal identities; and
6. traditions of textual segmentation.

The data produced by the project will also raise new research questions and be publicly available. The objectives of the project are to rethink the critical value of manuscripts beyond the purely textual concerns of traditional textual criticism and to explore titular traditions as expressive modes of communication and as aspects of reception history. The Principle Investigator (PI) and team members will work together to produce titular profiles for each manuscript, using this information to inform innovative research on specific research topics.

Research Career Framework

As part of this role you will be required to participate in the DCU Research Career Framework http://dcu.ie/hr/ResearchersFramework/index.shtml. This framework is designed to provide significant professional development opportunities to researchers and offer the best opportunities in terms of a wider career path.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the PI, the postdoctoral researcher will:

• Assist the PI in designing, testing, and finetuning the digital editorial tools used to produce project data, including the production of transcription templates and project transcription guidelines. 
• Produce high-quality original research pertaining to one of the project’s six research questions. 
• Disseminate the outcomes of the research in which she/he is engaged, through international conference presentations, publication in high quality peer-reviewed journals of international standing, or book publication.
• Disseminate project research to the public via social media or other platforms.
• Organise, along with the PI, the project’s workshops, selecting and inviting visiting scholars, managing their travel arrangements, and co-editing publications. 
• Be engaged with the broader research culture of the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Mentor doctoral students working on the TiNT project, including research formation and training on the project’s editorial tools. 
• In cooperation with the PI, liaise with internal and external TiNT project partners on issues of technical development, budget management, and reporting obligations. 
• Contribute to broader outreach and engagement activities relevant to the project, such as organising technical meetings, outreach to interested parties, and public dissemination. 
• Engage in appropriate training and development opportunities as required by the PI, Head of School, or the University.

Mandatory Training

The post holder will be required to undertake the following mandatory compliance training: Orientation, Health and Safety and Intellectual Property and Data Protection training. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

Minimum Criteria

Applicants should have a PhD in a discipline relevant the project, like New Testament studies, classics, early Christianity, Byzantine studies, art history or manuscripts studies. Excellent knowledge of Koine Greek is essential, and familiarity with other relevant languages (esp. Latin) is ideal. Basic computer competence is required and familiarity and experience with digital editorial or philological tools is expected.

In addition, it is desirable that a candidate has skills in:

• Ability to design and execute research projects
• Manuscript literacy, demonstrated through past record of publication and research;
• Relevant linguistic capability
• Familiarity with digital editorial tools 
• Creativity in research
• Demonstrates through publication and other forms of research dissemination significant knowledge of recent research on Greek manuscripts, editorial praxis, and other manuscript cultures 

Candidates will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Discipline specific knowledge and Research skills – Demonstrates knowledge of a research discipline and the ability to conduct a specific programme of research within that discipline
• Understanding the Research Environment – Demonstrates an awareness of the research environment (for example funding bodies) and the ability to contribute to grant applications
• Communicating Research – Demonstrates the ability to communicate their research with their peers and the wider research community (for example presenting at conferences and publishing research in relevant journals) and the potential to teach and tutor students
• Managing and Leadership skills - Demonstrates the potential to manage a research project including the supervision of undergraduate students.

Salary:  €37,874 - €40,221 (IUA PD Researcher Scale Level 2 pt.1-pt.3) *

*Appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience will be made on the appropriate point of the salary scale, in line with current Government pay policy.

Closing date:  1^st December 2019

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries to: 

Dr Garrick Allen, School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, DCU All Hallows, Grace Park Road, Dublin 9, Ireland

E-mail: Garrick.allen@dcu.ie

Phone: +353 (0)1 700 7052

Please do not send applications to this email address, instead apply as described below.

Application Procedure

Application forms are available from the DCU Current Vacancies (open Competitions) website at http://www.dcu.ie/vacancies/current.shtml and also from the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Tel:+353 (0) 1 7005149.

Applications should be submitted with a full CV and Cover Letter by email to hr.applications@dcu.ie or by Fax: +353 (0)1 7005500 or by post to the Human Resources Department, Dublin City University, Dublin 9.

Please clearly state the role that you are applying for in your application and email subject line: Job Ref #RF1284 Postdoctoral Researcher, TiNT Project (Level 1)

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to promoting gender equality reflected in its attainment of the Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Information on

a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available at www4.dcu.ie/policies/policy-starter-packs.shtml