Job description

The Faculty of Theology invites applications for a position as Researcher in Digital Humanities within the ERC-funded research project Storyworlds in Transition: Coptic Apocrypha in Changing Contexts in the Byzantine and Early Islamic Periods (APOCRYPHA), based at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo.

The APOCRYPHA project aims to provide the first systematic study of Coptic apocrypha covering the entire timespan of Coptic literary production. It will investigate the contents, development, and functions of apocrypha over time, as they were copied, adapted, and used in changing socio-religious contexts in monasteries across Egypt (for more information on the project, see here. The project is funded by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (grant agreement no. 865971).

The Researcher is expected to work in close collaboration with the PI of the APOCRYPHA project (professor Hugo Lundhaug) to develop and implement digital tools and methods for the analysis of Coptic apocrypha, and their development and use over time. This includes the development and implementation of a PostgresSQL database and the analysis of its data using Gephi, R, or similar tools. The project will use these tools and methods to analyze from the perspective of material philology the development, use, and function of apocryphal texts and traditions on the basis of their attestation in Coptic manuscripts.

The appointment is a part-time position (20 %) for a period of four years, starting 1st August, 2021. It is part of the APOCRYPHA project, and the applicant is expected to be physically based in Oslo for the duration of the appointment. The successful applicant will work closely together with the PI of the APOCRYPHA project and will also be expected to collaborate with the rest of the APOCRYPHA research team, and to represent the project at relevant seminars and conferences.

Qualification requirements

• A PhD in informatics, digital humanities, data science, or similar.
• Experience with the development and use of relevant digital humanities tools and methods
• Basic proficiency in Coptic.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

Experience in the following areas will also be taken into account in the assessment of the applicants:

• Knowledge representation and ontology engineering
• Network analysis
• Text mining and semantics
• Other relevant experience

Personal skills

The following personal skills are highly desirable:

• The ability to work closely together with other researchers in a team
• A commitment to work towards the project’s common goals
• An open mind towards new methodological approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration
• High personal motivation for scholarship
• The ability to meet deadlines

We offer

• Salary NOK 575 000 - 643 000 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as Researcher (position code 1109)
• A professionally stimulating working environment as part of a highly qualified research team
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement, in addition to Oslo’s family-friendly environment with its rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

How to apply

The application must include

• Cover letter (statement of motivation and research interests). Please list relevant technical skills.
• CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work)
• Copies of educational certificates (academic transcripts only)
• A complete list of publications and academic works
• List of reference persons: 2-3 references (name, e-mail and phone number, relation to candidate)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”. International applicants are asked to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language).

When evaluating the applications, emphasis will be given to the quality and relevance of the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal potential to carry out the project within the stipulated time frame. As a general rule, only relevant, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Formal regulations

According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.

The University of Oslo is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply for this position, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

Contact information

• Professor: Hugo Lundhaug, + 47 22850317, e-mail: hugo.lundhaug@teologi.uio.no
• Senior Adviser: Rigmor Smith-Gahrsen, + 47 22850311, e-mail: rigmor.smith-gahrsen@teologi.uio.no

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