Call for Applications: 3 years PhD position in the history of late medieval astronomy in Europe
ALFA is an ERC funded project (2017-2022, 60 month, Consolidator grant 2016 agreement 723085, PI Matthieu Husson) dedicated
to the study of Alfonsine astronomy which flourished in Europe from the
second half of the 13th century to the middle of the 16th century.
Relying
on approaches from the history of astronomy, history of mathematics,
and history of manuscript cultures to study astronomical tables,
instruments, theoretical and mathematical texts, ALFA’s main objectives are to:
· Retrace
the development of the corpus of Alfonsine texts from its origin in the
second half of the 13th century to the end of the 15th century by
following, on the manuscript level, the milieus producing and using
these codices;
· Analyse
Alfonsine astronomers’ practices, their relations to mathematics, to
the natural world, to proofs and justification, and their intellectual
and social contexts and audiences;
· Build
a meaningful narrative showing how astronomers in different milieus
with diverse practices shaped, also from Arabic and Hebrew materials, an
original scientific scene in Europe.
ALFA works in a deeply collective manner. Around Matthieu Husson (PI, CNRS-SYRTE Observatoire de Paris PSL), José Chabás
(Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona) and Richard Kremer (Dartmouth
College, USA) constitute the project advisory board. A local team of 3
post-docs, 3 PhD students and a digital humanities IT expert, based at
the Paris observatory, will work with a team of international
collaborators comprised of 10 specialists of the history of late
medieval astronomy in Europe. Finally a team of external experts from
neighbouring fields will consult with ALFA in order to enrich its methodological and theoretical dimensions and to help design the digital tools.
ALFA invites application for a 3 year doctoral position expected to start, if the position is filled, on October 1, 2018
or as soon as possible thereafter (CNRS-contract, according to CNRS
policy 1758 Euros gross per month). This position will be hosted at the
Observatoire de Paris (ED 127) inside the history of astronomy team of
the SYRTE Laboratory (dir. Michela Malpangotto, UMR 8630). The PhD will
be co-directed by Matthieu Husson and Christian Bracco (SYRTE
Observatoire de Paris PSL).
The successful candidate
will work as part of the local team and will spend most of his/her
working time on his/her research project in the context of this
collective, international project. The candidate is expected to
participate in the publications of the project and will be encouraged to
take part in the scientific activities relevant to his research
(workshops and seminars). He or she will have also dedicated research
funds especially for travel to relevant European libraries.
In line with ALFA’s
objectives this PhD project should enhance our understanding of the
formation and development of Alfonsine astronomy. Different approaches
are possible to achieve this aim. They rely on a range of competences
and we thus encourage candidates with different skills and training
background to apply. These potential approaches include by order of
priority for this call:
1. Candidates
with a strong background in Latin and a fair knowledge of codicology
and palaeography might choose to edit key works of Alfonsine astronomy
(like the various Canons written on the Alfonsine or related tables or
texts on planetary theory [theorica]). Such a research would make new
texts available and enhance our understanding of the perceptions of
Alfonsine astronomy held by late medieval actors.
2. Candidates
with a more scientific background could choose to analyse and edit
other kinds of documents in the Alfonsine corpus such as texts on
instruments or specific sets of tables. These types of research would
bring new sources into discussion and would enhance our understanding of
the mathematical and astronomical practices of the actors.
3. Candidates
with a background in medieval history could analyse and study from a
range of potential sources specific milieus or individuals that fostered
Alfonsine astronomy or were particularly relevant for its development.
Such research would produce new sources and contribute to an
understanding of the social and intellectual contexts in which Alfonsine
astronomy was embedded.
To qualify for the position,
candidates are required to have completed their Master’s degree in
either sciences, history of sciences or medieval history. During the PhD
it will be possible for the successful candidate to enhance her/his
training according to his/her needs in Latin philology, codicology,
palaeography, history of astronomy and history of mathematics. Acquired
competences in these domains will be appreciated. A good control of
spoken and written English is also important in order to be able to
interact fruitfully with the international team of the project and to
participate in its publications.
Applications should be sent no later than May 31, 2018 to Matthieu Husson (matthieu.husson@obspm.fr).
They shall include: a short CV (2 p. max), contact information for two
possible externals referees (name, institution, email contact), a
written sample of academic work (e.g. Master thesis and/or a recent
paper), and a short letter of application (2 p. max). In the latter, the
candidate should position him or herself with respect to the above
briefly described potential topics for the PhD and/or should present an
original topic that he or she could study within the context of ALFA’s
general objectives.
Review of applications will start on June 1, 2018 and the result will be published on June 30, 2018.