Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11
80539 München
http://ptolemaeus.badw.de

In Zusammenarbeit mit

Julius-Maximilians- Universität Würzburg

 

15. Januar 2018

 

Call for Applications

 

One post-doctoral position (3-5 years) for a latinist for preparing the critical edition of a major Latin Ptolemaic text

 

The Project Ptolemaeus Arabus et Latinus (PAL) is dedicated to the edition and study of the Arabic and Latin versions of Ptolemy’s astronomical and astrological texts and related material. These include works by Ptolemy or attributed to him, commentaries thereupon and other works that are of immediate relevance to understanding Ptolemy’s heritage in the Middle Ages and the early modern period up to 1700 A.D.

The Project is hosted by the Bavarian Academy of Science and Humanities in Munich for a period of 25 years from 2013 to 2037. It is supervised by Prof. Dr. Dag Nikolaus Hasse (University of Würzburg) and carried out by five scholars, namely two research
leaders, Dr. David Juste and Dr. Benno van Dalen, two post-doctoral researchers and one doctoral student.

Applications are open for one post-doctoral position (no age limit):

– One full-time position for a period of 3 years, with possible extension up to 5 years pending positive evaluation and budget leeway. The position is expected to commence on 1 October 2018, or as soon as possible thereafter.

– The monthly salary range is € 4.075-5.378 liable to deductions for tax, social security benefits and retirement provisions. The salary will be dependent on relevant academic experience (German pay scale TV-L E13).

– The postdoctoral researcher will have office facilities at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Munich, together with the other Project members, and is expected to work there full time. The contract will be with the University of Würzburg. The first 6 months of the contract are a probation period.

– Qualifications and skills: applicants must hold a PhD in an area relevant to the Project, have an excellent knowledge of Latin philology as well as experience with editing Latin texts, an excellent command of written and spoken English (the primary language of the Project) and, preferably, research experience in line with PAL objectives, in particular in the history of science. Knowledge of Greek and/or Arabic is an advantage.

– The main task of the successful candidate will be to prepare the critical edition of a major Ptolemaic astronomical or astrological text in Latin. Candidates willing to work on a critical edition of the Almagest in Gerard of Cremona’s translation (twelfth century) are especially encouraged to apply.

– The post-doctoral researcher is expected to be an active member of the research team and to take part in the various aspects of the Project. One typical task associated with this position is to transcribe further Latin Ptolemaic texts to be published online (see Project Outline, §4.2). These additional tasks are expected to take up no more than 25% of the working time of the postdoctoral researcher.

– The successful candidate should agree to publish the result of their work in the PAL book series (Brepols) and on the PAL web interface. All contributions by members of the research team are published under their own name, and authorship is duly acknowledged in every collaborative output, including online publications.

– Applications should be sent in English to Prof. Dr. Dag Nikolaus Hasse by email (applications@ptolemaeus.badw.de) no later than 15 March 2018. Applications should include a complete CV with a list of publications; a letter of motivation, in which the applicant is asked to address the above description and qualifications and to propose a starting date if different from 1 October 2018; and the names and contact details of two academic referees who may be contacted by the Project leaders.

Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged.

The outcome of all applications will be notified by email as soon as decision is made.

Short-listed applicants may be invited to an on-campus, phone or Skype interview.

Information on the Project, including the Project Outline, can be found on our website (http://ptolemaeus.badw.de).

For further enquiries, please contact David Juste (djuste@ptolemaeus.badw.de).