Research Fellow I - Arabic Literary Theory

Job Purpose

The Department of Modern Languages seeks to appoint a postdoctoral research fellow to work on the ERC-funded project ‘Global Literary Theory: Caucasus Literatures Compared (GlobalLIT)’ led by Professor Rebecca Gould. The project investigates Islamic rhetoric (‘ilm al-balagha) from its inception to the modern period, taking into account the radical variance in timescales for the development of different literary traditions. Expertise in the position’s specific literary tradition (Persian, Arabic, and Turkic) is as important as knowledge of critical theory and the ability to situate premodern Islamic literary traditions within the contemporary discipline of Comparative Literature.

 

Summary of Role:

• Advance the research agenda of the Global Literary Theory project
• Develop a research project pertaining to premodern Arabic literary theory that will result in significant scholarly publications (including a monograph)
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results in genres suitable for scholarly dissemination
• Assist with organisation of events and with publications within the framework of this project

Main Duties:

• Engage in research leading to a monograph on Arabic literary theory or criticism, to be completed in a timely manner
• Contribute to the overall agenda of the project by engaging with other team members, helping to organise events, and co-authoring and/or providing feedback on scholarship by others within the framework of the project
• Assist with compilation of anthology on Global Literary Theory
• Undertake management/administration arising from research, such as providing logistical support for workshop organisation
• Gather texts and manuscripts and assist with translation (in collaboration with professional translators)
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to public engagement/impact activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, under supervision of a project leader
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, present at conferences
• Solicit and curate material for the project website; contribute to a social media presence
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Person Specification

• PhD in Arabic literature and/or Comparative Literature with an emphasis on Arabic literature
• A publication record of research in peer-reviewed journals
• Knowledge of (or interest in) classical Arabic literary criticism (please specify which texts you have worked on and/or would like to work on)
• Reading fluency in Arabic; speaking fluency preferable
• Knowledge of Comparative Literature as a discipline and related domains of critical theory
• Organisational skills and experience in project management
• Knowledge of other literatures and languages (particularly Persian and/or Turkic literatures) would be an asset
• Ability to think transregionally and comparatively in ways that will advance the aims of the project
• Interest and expertise in digital humanities may also be helpful (and should be specified in the application materials) but is not required