Research Associate Post at the University of Cambridge
Applications are invited for the post of Research Associate in Medieval German History, in the Department of German and Dutch, working with Professor Christopher Young and Dr Mark Chinca. The vacancy has been created in the context of an AHRC-funded project on “Kaiserchronik: Literature and History in the German Middle Ages”.
The project
The Kaiserchronik (c.1150) is one of the great monuments of medieval literature. Chronicling the reigns of Roman and German kings and emperors, from the earliest times to the twelfth century, it projects a magnificent historical sweep in which the German-speaking peoples and their rulers feature as actors on the stage of ancient history and heirs to the legacy of Rome as capital of the Christian West. It is the first verse chronicle to have been written in any European vernacular. Yet despite its importance for literary and historical studies alike, it has been surprisingly neglected. This project is intended to yield a complete understanding of the extraordinary cultural resonance of the Kaiserchronik, and offer a transformative reassessment of the place of history-writing in the development of German literature in the Middle Ages.
The project has attracted funding of c.£950,000 from the AHRC. The team is based in Cambridge and assembles experts in the fields of medieval literature, language and history, with special collaborations with the University of Marburg and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Over its lifetime, the project will produce the first-ever complete edition of the Kaiserchronik, accompanied by English translation, full introduction and commentary.
In addition, the project will research the historical and literary background to the chronicle: the twelfth-century context from which it emerged, and the reasons for its enduring appeal over the following four and a half centuries. The results will be presented through major events in Cambridge, international conferences, and special issues of academic journals.
The role of the Research Associate
The successful candidate will be expected to carry out specified assignments in support of the project. Principally this will involve primary historical research which will feed into the commentary. It will also include organizing and participating in conferences and panels, preparing and contributing to publications, and communicating with an international steering committee of distinguished literary scholars and historians.
Qualifications
Candidates will normally be expected to have completed a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the time of appointment. Essential skills include: a fluent knowledge of German and English, an ability to work with primary historical sources and the relevant secondary material, and good bibliographical skills, including relevant IT skills (or the willingness to acquire these). Good organizational skills and ability to work as part of a team are also essential. An ability to read texts in medieval Latin would be an advantage. An ability to read Middle High German is not essential, as the Research Associate will have access to the already completed English translation of the full text by the project leaders.
You will be based in a thriving research community in German Studies at Cambridge, with opportunities to participate in German, history and cross-disciplinary seminars throughout the University. There will also be opportunities to contribute to teaching within the Department, supervising and examinations.
Completed applications, including a form CHRIS/6 (Parts 1 and 3 only, (http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/forms/chris6/), a cover letter, a detailed curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and the names and addresses of two referees who are familiar with your work in the relevant field, should be sent to The Secretary of the Appointments Committee, Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA or preferably by e-mail to [log in to unmask] by 8 February 2013. Referees should write directly to The Secretary of the Appointments Committee by the same date.
Please submit one chapter- or article-length sample of your recent scholarly writing (which could be work in progress or a PhD chapter).
Salary for this post will be in the range of £27,578 to £35,938 pa. The appointment will run from 1 October 2013 (or as soon as possible thereafter) for 36 months, and is subject to satisfactory completion of a probationary period of six months.
Further particulars can be found at http://www.mml.cam.ac.uk/jobs/index.html.
You are welcome to seek further information by contacting Professor Christopher Young, e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Quote Reference: GL24052
Closing Date: Friday 8 February 2013
Interview Date: Thursday 7 March 2013
The University values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.
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