DISSINET is looking for a research assistant

1 Sep 2020

Collection of historical data for DISSINET project,
at the Centre for the Digital Research of Religion,
Masaryk University

The Dissident Networks Project (DISSINET) seeks a short-term research assistant with competence in Latin language and in historical research. The team member will work for a period of 3–6 months (potentially extendable) on the digital collection of historical data essential to our computational study of medieval dissident religious networks and inquisition: in particular the transcription of place name indices, the identification of locations based on secondary literature and Latin sources, and assigning locations with geographic coordinates through an online application. The successful candidate will also provide assistance with other research support tasks, such as bibliographic searches and the scanning of literature. The role would be suitable for a Ph.D. student in a related discipline, but postdocs and advanced M.A. students keen to gain or enhance their experience within the digital humanities are also invited to apply.

The DISSINET project is based at Masaryk University’s Centre for the Digital Research of Religion (Faculty of Arts, Department for the Study of Religions).

• Salary: 60,000 CZK gross in total (ca. 2,300 EUR) for ca. 270 hours of work (“DPČ” temporary contract under the Czech law; taxes make up ca. 15%).
• Duration: 1 October to 31 December 2020, very likely extendable under a new contract for an additional 60,000 CZK until ca. 30 April 2021.
• Non-residential position: Distance working from any country through Google Drive, Slack and Zoom is possible.

We offer:

• Career-enhancing research experience – participation in an innovative research project in the digital humanities, involvement in an excellent interdisciplinary team of researchers.
• Opportunity to work on unique historical data related to medieval heresy and inquisition. 
• Opportunity to extend the collaboration.
• Flexible working hours.

We expect:

• Experience with historical research.
• Secure command of English (B2 or higher).
• Decent knowledge of Latin.
• Computer-friendly mindset.

Desirable but not required:

• Background in medieval studies or interest in medieval Europe.
• Knowledge of other relevant languages (e.g. French, Italian, German).
• Experience in structured data (spreadsheets, databases...).

Attachments to the application:

• Cover letter (email) with a short expression of interest.
• CV, including a statement on the level of competence in various languages and other competences mentioned in this call.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a test consisting of (1) a short translation of an inquisition record extract from Latin to English and (2) assigning geographic coordinates to a set of c. 10 place names. Then, potentially after another round of shortlisting, the shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview through Zoom.

Please send your application (a short expression of interest and CV) to Dr. David Zbíral, david.zbiral@mail.muni.cz before 15 September 2020, 23:59 Central European Summer Time.