About the role
This Research Fellowship is part of a five-year project on ‘Astronomy, calendar, and related sciences in Near Eastern cultures, third-eighth centuries CE’ (NEAstr), funded by a UKRI Frontier Research grant (ERC Advanced Grant funded by UKRI). The Principal Investigator is Professor Sacha Stern (UCL Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies).
NEAstr investigates the history of astronomy, calendar computation, and related sciences (astrology, cosmology, chronology) in the Near East from the third to eighth centuries CE. This period has been marginalised by falling between two periods of Near Eastern pre-eminence in these sciences: ancient Mesopotamia before it (cuneiform ceased in the first century CE), and after it, the Arabic scientific renaissance under the Abbasids. Yet in the intervening period, astronomy and calendar sciences thrived and continued developing in local Near Eastern languages, in a variety of religious and cultural traditions.
The research focuses on a still poorly known body of literature in Syriac, Aramaic, Hebrew and Armenian, mainly in the Christian and Jewish traditions, and also extends to old Arabic, Middle Persian, and Mandaic. The project will produce historical studies, critical editions and translations, and a purposely constructed, open-access website incorporating a database and a multi-lingual scientific glossary.
NEAstr evaluates the extent to which astronomy and calendar sciences in Near Eastern cultures preserved the earlier, Mesopotamian astronomical tradition, drew on contemporary Hellenistic scholarship, and impacted the later rise of Arabic astronomy. As a multi-disciplinary team, we investigate the fluid, trans-disciplinary relationship between these sciences, their broader cultural impact, and how they transcended, in the late antique and early medieval Near East, the boundaries of languages, religions and cultural difference.
About you
The Research Fellow will be responsible for the Hebrew and Jewish Aramaic body of literature within this project. Research tasks will include (1-3 are in order of priority):
1. Prepare a critical edition, translation, and commentary of Baraita de-Shemuel and Baraita de-Mazzalot.
2. Prepare a critical edition, translation, and commentary of Pirqei de-Rabbi Eliezer, chapters 6-8.
3. Compile a comprehensive inventory of relevant Hebrew and Aramaic texts from the Palestinian and Babylonian Talmudim, other early rabbinic literature, liturgical poetry, and Genizah and other manuscript sources. Edit and investigate a selection of the sources.
4. Contribute to the construction of the multi-lingual scientific glossary.
5. Participate in person at weekly team meetings and at the project workshops, and collaborate with team members on the overall research questions of the project.
6. Publish two peer-reviewed articles (in addition to the critical editions)
The appointed researcher will be mentored by the PI and reside in or near London.
The appointment will start from 1 February or as soon thereafter as possible, for three years until 31 January. The appointment is at Grade 7 (currently starting from £43, per annum including London allowance).
**As a part of your application - Please use the 'Cover letter upload' option to provide a detailed response on how you meet the criteria set out in the person specification and detailed in the job description.
Please attach the following additional documentation as a single PDF file:
7. A CV (maximum 2 pages), including the contact details of two referees.
8. A letter of application (maximum 3 pages) explaining the reasons for your interest in the post and outlining why you are well qualified for it.
9. A writing sample (one research-based chapter or article, max. 15, words). Please send a published piece if possible; if not, a chapter of your PhD thesis
**The job description and person specification can be accessed in the attached Candidate Pack. To apply please click the 'Apply Now' button.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below.
Please visit to find out more:
10. 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
11. Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
12. Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
13. Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
14. Immigration loan
15. Relocation scheme for certain posts
16. Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
17. Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
18. Discounted medical insurance