2-3 Postdoctoral Positions in Ancient Near Eastern Empires, University of Helsinki, Finland (2017)

The Centre of Excellence in “Ancient Near Eastern Empires” (ANEE) at the University of Helsinki will run from 2018-2025 and is directed by Dr. Saana Svärd. ANEE asks: How do changing imperial dynamics impact social group identities and lifeways over a millennium? ANEE covers the Neo-Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian, Persian, Hellenistic, and early Roman / Parthian Empires. ANEE engages with methodologically varied yet integrated research on the long-term processes by which social group identities and lifeways were negotiated. Taken together, the innovations of ANEE are the integrated longue durée approach; and the methodological innovativeness of each team (both separately and in collaboration). There will be several recruitment calls for fixed term positions during ANEE’s lifespan (doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and university researchers).

ANEE is recruiting members for three teams which investigate identity-building processes. Each team has a methodologically specific approach yet collaborates on four work packages.

Applications are invited for

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHERS (2-5)

for a fixed term of 2-3 years, preferably starting on 1 January 2018 to work in the University of Helsinki. The successful candidates’ research projects will focus on the goals of a team or teams. The applicant should indicate to which team she/he is applying. The appointed postdoctoral researchers will have proven expertise in one of the areas of interest of ANEE. Their main duties will include full-time research in their respective fields. As ANEE is deeply multidisciplinary, competence in more than one field and/or proof of successful scientific collaboration will be considered an advantage. The post will require both independent and collaborative scientific publishing.

Team 1 “Digital Humanities Approaches” develops digital humanities approaches (especially social network analysis and language technology), using these to supplement the more traditional Assyriological approaches. Team 1 is looking for applicants with a solid background in Assyriology or a related field (preferably within the chronological scope of ANEE) and/or skills in Digital Humanities that can be put to use in relation to ANEE’s goals. Team 1 is led by Saana Svärd (saana.svard@helsinki.fi).

Team 2 “Social Scientific Theory & Applications” tests and refines theoretical models from the social sciences for ancient evidence, integrating anthropological approaches to archaeology with sociological readings of textual and archaeological evidence. Team 2 seeks sociologists with expertise in migration, forced labor, and/or elite identities, and ancient historians of any of the relevant empires with similar profiles. Willingness to work with future PhD candidates and for multiple work packages is desirable. Team 2 is led by Dr. Jason Silverman (jason.silverman@helsinki.fi).

Team 3 “Material Culture & Community Heritage” investigates the impact of each empire on ancient local communities inhabiting the imperial fringes and provides a sustainable future for this heritage. This it does through an archaeological field survey program in the ancient imperial fringe zone of southern Jordan and by developing a local community outreach program there. Our work in Finland revolves around promoting an understanding of Ancient Near Eastern heritage and culture by developing a touring museum exhibition on the ancient Near East. The team also aims to collaborate with the Finnish authorities to further develop the policies and legislation regarding the trade in illicit antiquities. Team 3 seeks applicants with expertise in community archaeology and/or cultural heritage studies. Previous research/work experience in the Near East is not required. Team 3 is led by Dr. Antti Lahelma (antti.lahelma@helsinki.fi), who is also the vice-director of ANEE.

Further details:
http://academicpositions.eu