ERC programme “NOSCEMUS – Nova Scientia: Early Modern Science and Latin” – Call for postdoc (PhD) funding applications
Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck
ERC programme “NOSCEMUS – Nova Scientia: Early Modern Science and Latin”
Call for postdoc (PhD) funding applications
The ERC Advanced Grant programme “NOSCEMUS – Nova Scientia: Early Modern
Science and Latin” on the role of Neo-Latin literature in early modern science,
led by Martin Korenjak (Univ. of Innsbruck), is now accepting applications for
up to four five-year postdoc (PhD) positions (01/10/2017 – 30/09/2022).
The application deadline is 15th of June 2017.
Project description
Fundamental
changes occurred in the study of nature between the late 15th and 18th
centuries, leading to the emergence of natural science as we know it today.
This process would have been impossible without Latin as the scientific lingua
franca of the era, just as today's science is hard to imagine without
English. At present, the crucial role of Latin has been insufficiently
acknowledged, and the hundreds of thousands of scientific texts written in
Latin have largely remained neglected. This severely limits the scope of
research into the history of early modern science, an otherwise thriving field.
The
present project intends to decisively advance our understanding of the
interrelation of Latin and science in early modern times. By applying the
methods of Latin philology, yet at the same time reaching out to historians of
science, it will establish early modern scientific literature in Latin as an
interdisciplinary research field. This will be accomplished
(a)
by examining and classifying the formal variety and range of content of this
literature to create an overall picture
(b)
by analysing its function as a medium of communication within and beyond the
scientific community.
To
realise the first of these objectives, a tripartite database for authors, early modern texts, and secondary
literature will be compiled and a sourcebook
with a selection of digitally searchable texts put together, both of which will
be made available online. A monograph will provide a general overview
structured according to the literary genres of early modern scientific
literature in Latin. The second objective will be achieved through a series of
interlinked monographs, whose analyses will build on the system of ancient
rhetoric, the most important communicative paradigm of the early modern age. On
this basis, four key functions of
Latin scientific texts will be assessed: naming
new phenomena; describing and explaining them; convincing others of the views
expressed; promoting science.
Context and working conditions
Successful applicants will
work in a team based in Innsbruck and consisting, besides the principal
investigator, of four postdoc (PhD) researchers and one information scientist. Together
with the principal investigator, they will work collectively on the database
and the digital sourcebook. They will also participate in the organisation of
five workshops (one per year). Their main task will however consist in writing an
interpretative monograph on one of the four topics mentioned at the end of the
project description, which should constitute a second book (or a PhD
thesis). Publications should be written primarily in
English. Working languages can be English, German, Italian and French.
Gross salaries will be at least € 3636,60 and € 2731.– per month (14 times)
for postdocs and PhD students respectively.
Requirements
Candidates must have excellent
Latin and experience in Neo-Latin studies. Expertise in the rhetorical
tradition and the history of science is requested. For the monograph on naming,
a background in linguistics is desired. A degree in the history of science or
in the natural sciences will be an additional asset. Candidates must be fluent
in English in word and writing.
Although this job advertisement
is primarily directed at postdocs, exceptionally good PhD students may also
apply.
Candidates are asked to send their application together with
– a CV
– a
publication list
– and a
writing sample,
but WITHOUT a letter of recommendation
by email to Martin Korenjak (martin.korenjak@uibk.ac.at). The application should specify whether the applicant is interested in one
specific, several or all of the four posts.