Post-doctoral Fellowship at the School of Humanities, University of Iceland
The University of Iceland invites applications for a post-doctoral fellowship at the School of Humanities (Institute of Literature and Visual Arts) in connection with the research project ‘Emotion and the Medieval Self in Northern Europe’, funded by RANNÍS, the Icelandic Centre For Research. The post is fixed-term for 2 years with an estimated starting point of 1 September 2019.
Field of work
This project’s hypothesis is that medieval selfhood, or a sense of self, can be located through textual evidence, more particularly through its representation via emotive performativity in medieval literary texts. The performance of emotion is viewed as both a conventionalised (social and cultural) gesture and as evidence of a perception of selfhood, as instances of emotive performance by definition suggest a presumed self that is capable of experiencing and sustaining emotion. The concept of emotive performativity – the gestural, vocal or metaphorical staging of emotions – thus serves as a theoretical bridge to explore questions of selfhood, interiority and the history of emotion across Northern Europe.
The project combines a linguistic and literary approach to enable a more holistic understanding of textual emotions – as both linguistic and literary phenomena – and of how their staging may generate or mediate a sense of self. The intent is to establish cross-cultural evidence of a medieval sense of selfhood – represented via the performance of emotions – that may be culturally, linguistically or generically contingent.
The project leader is Sif Ríkharðsdóttir, Professor of Comparative Literature at the University of Iceland, with an international research team consisting of Carolyne Larrington at the University of Oxford, Frank Brandsma at Utrecht University, Þórhallur Eyþórsson at the University of Iceland and Massimiliano Bampi at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. A minimum of 70% of the working time will be spent at the University of Iceland to facilitate the collaboration of the team (the University will assist with applications of visa permits if needed for non-EU or EEA applicants).
The post-doctoral fellow will collaborate with the research group at the University of Iceland. The tasks of the post-doctoral fellow include undertaking research relevant to the project goals, prepare research publications, present papers at appropriate scholarly conferences and meetings and assist with the administration of the project. The research focus of the post-doctoral fellow will be on tracing cultural transmissions of emotive performativity ranging from the Plantagenet dynasty to the Hanseatic cultural networks. The post-doctoral fellow will additionally collaborate with the PI on refining models of the interface between socio-historical emotions and literary emotionality.
Qualification requirements
Applicants who have completed a doctoral degree within 5 years from the beginning of the fellowship in a relevant field of the research project (extensions of eligibility window will be considered for career breaks relating to illnesses, maternity or paternity leaves and other related events).
Excellent English skills (spoken and written) are a requirement.
Preference will be given to those scholars whose research background relates to the research focus of the project.
Application process
A shortlist of applicants will be called for an interview in May via skype.
The application should include:
CV
Statement of purpose (1 ̶ 2 pages)
Certificates of Education (BA/BS and MA/MSc degree)
Two reference letters with contact information
All applications will be answered and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications may be valid for six months.
Salaries follow the standardised wage agreements between the Association of University Teachers (Félag háskólakennara, www.fh.hi.is) and the Ministry of Finances.
Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Egual Rights Policy of the University of Iceland.
The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy.
Specialized assistance and practical support is offered to all incoming international staff and their families on various issues related to moving to Iceland. More information can be found at the University of Iceland website, International Staff Service.
Further information
For further information please contact Eirkur Smári Sigurðsson, Director of Research, School of Humanities, esmari@hi.is
Application deadline
Application deadline is 1 April 2019 (at 11:59 GMT).
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://english.hi.is/vacancies