As a postdoctoral researcher you will be responsible for one of the three subprojects within the European Research Council (ERC) funded project ‘Patristic sermons in the Middle Ages. The dissemination, manipulation and interpretation of Late Antique sermons in the medieval Latin West’ (PASSIM). This project studies the medieval reception of the Latin sermons preached by the Early Church Fathers, through the first large-scale analysis of the formation and spread of patristic sermon collections in medieval Europe (500-1500). The project is developing a digital network of manuscripts containing collections of patristic sermons. Building on this network, PASSIM pursues three lines of inquiry: the customisation of standard liturgical collections as indicative of individual purposes and contexts, the dynamic between transmission and popularity of patristic sermons, and pseudo-epigraphic sermons as revelatory of medieval perceptions of the Church Fathers. 
You will investigate the dynamic between the transmission and impact of patristic sermons and sermon collections in medieval contexts, mainly the period prior to the 13th century. This investigation will also address questions regarding the construction of authority and compilation techniques. The main focus should be on three topics: (1) The sermon collections of Caesarius of Arles and factors in the transmission that steered or influenced their circulation; (2) Individual Augustinian sermons that occur in numerous collections and whether or not popular sermons existed in fixed (liturgical, exegetical, polemical) contexts; (3) Which of Gregory’s Gospel homilies broke away from the original collection and were incorporated into multi-author collections.

Your findings should be presented in three peer-reviewed articles in international scientific journals. Additionally, you are expected to contribute to the wider communication of your research through conference papers, take part in the organisation of scientific meetings related to the project, and contribute to the substantive development of the project as a whole.

• A PhD in a relevant field (or the assurance that this degree will have been obtained by the time of appointment).
• An excellent research and publication record in relation to the career stage.
• Excellent knowledge of Latin.
• Demonstrable experience in the field of manuscript and transmission studies.
• Familiarity with the field of patristic literature and/or medieval sermon studies is considered an asset.
• A strong willingness to collaborate as part of a research team.
• Willingness to travel for archival research and to attend international scientific meetings.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years with a 2-month trial period.

• Employment: 32 hours per week.
• A maximum gross monthly salary of € 4.402 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 10).
• 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: 2 years with a 2-month trial period.
• The intended start date is 1 January 2021 but negotiable.
• 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?

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