As a postdoctoral researcher you will be responsible for one of the three subprojects within the NWO project ‘Making a martyr in medieval Iberia (589-1080)’. This project studies how martyr cults were created through a variety of media in early medieval Iberia. The area was home to a widespread and very active devotion to indigenous Christian martyr saints, as well as the emergence of new martyrs in the ninth and tenth centuries. The project goes beyond hagiography to focus on the ritual commemoration of martyrs, looking at how the Old Hispanic liturgy (a unique tradition practiced only in Iberia) communicated the ideal of martyrdom throughout the peninsula, but always in connection with material expressions of religious piety.

You will study the music of the Old Hispanic liturgy for the commemoration of martyr saints, as it survives in a number of manuscripts. Deciphering the music in these manuscripts is complicated by the fact that the notation is written without indication of pitch. You will nevertheless receive training in working with this notation from Professor Emma Hornby at the University of Bristol whose groundbreaking work is opening this tradition up to study, remaining in Bristol for up to six months towards the beginning of the project. This training will include learning to work with bespoke transcription and analysis software, helping you to identify melodic characteristics of the chants under investigation. You will then collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator to investigate how music and text worked together in this liturgical tradition to create unique identities for martyr saints.

Your findings should be presented in at least three articles in international scientific journals (at least one co-authored), as well as conference papers and book chapters. Additionally, you are expected to contribute chant data to the online transcription and analysis software, and to the Spanish Early Music Manuscripts database, which is linked to the CANTUS Index. You will also contribute to the organisation of scientific meetings related to the project and the wider communication of the project’s results.

• A completed PhD degree in Musicology, or a relevant field (at least a manuscript approved by the board of examiners by 15.04.2020).
• An excellent research and publication record in relation to the career stage.
• An excellent command of written and spoken English.
• A working knowledge of Latin and Spanish.
• Demonstrable experience in the field of musicology, more specifically with:
  • Undertaking musical analysis, preferably of medieval music, monophonic song, or liturgical chant.
  • Working with musical notation, preferably neumes.
  • Working with medieval manuscripts, preferably liturgical.
• A strong willingness to collaborate as part of a research team.
• Willingness to travel regularly for training, archival research and to attend international scientific meetings.

Fixed-term contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended with another 2 years.

• Employment: 30 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 4.978 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 11).
• The exact salary depends on the candidate's qualifications and amount of relevant professional experience.
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: You will be appointed for an initial period of 12 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended with another 2 years.
• The intended start date is 1 September 2020.
• You will be able to make use of our Dual Career Service: our Dual Career Officer will assist with family-related support, such as child care, and help your partner prepare for the local labour market and with finding an occupation.
• Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions?

Radboud University

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Faculteit der Letteren

The Faculty of Arts employs over 500 academic and support staff in the fields of history and art, languages and cultures, linguistics and communication. Research is embedded in two faculty research institutes: the Centre for Language Studies (CLS) and the Radboud Institute for Culture and History (RICH). The faculty currently enrols some 2,400 students, in three departments: the department of History, Art History and Classics, the department of Modern Languages and Cultures, and the department of Language and Communication. We want to be a diverse and inclusive organisation, which is why we aim to create a culturally diverse staff.