1 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Institute for Mediterranean Studies

The Institute for Mediterranean Studies is recruiting a post-doctoral researcher for the ERC Consolidator Grant 2017 project titled “GHOST: Geographies and Histories of the Ottoman Supernatural Tradition: Exploring Magic, the Marvellous, and the Strange in Ottoman Mentalities” (Action number: 771766), funded by the European Research Council and led by Dr. Marinos Sariyannis. Candidates must hold a PhD degree in Ottoman history or literature, and have a strong interest in the topic of occult sciences, practices and beliefs in the Ottoman Empire. The position will start on 1st July 2019 at the earliest or upon agreement. Tasks include academic and administrative assistance, and production of academic papers. The researcher will join a research team working on aspects of Ottoman occult and natural sciences, Ottoman philosophy and theology, and beliefs concerning nature, preternatural and supernatural phenomena in Ottoman culture. S/he will be working at the Institute of Mediterranean Studies in Rethymno (Crete, Greece) and will receive a monthly net salary of ca. 1,500€ (plus social security costs etc.), depending on their personal situation, plus funds covering research trips and conference participations. The duration of the post will be 36 months, with a possibility of further extension according to resources.

The post-doctoral fellow will be involved in primary research concerning Ottoman beliefs on natural and occult phenomena before the Tanzimat period, focusing in a sub-issue to be specified after the needs of the project and her/his own interests (e.g.: uses and theory of magic; treatises on divination, astrology, or alchemy; views on nature and natural laws in Ottoman scientific works; and so forth), finally producing a monograph, as well as at least one paper in English and/or French. S/he is also expected to locate and study unpublished manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish. S/he will also assist in the administration of the project through the organisation of a workshop and the future publication of its proceedings.

Requirements:
The potential candidate should have:
1. A PhD in Ottoman History and/or Literature (or similar thematic topic), preferably specialized in cultural and intellectual history.
2. Participation in a number of research projects or previous experience in archival research, with an emphasis to the study of manuscripts; applicants should read fluently Turkish and English; knowledge of other major languages (French, German) will be appreciated
3. A significant publication record in peer-review international journals and or conferences.
4. Experience of working with Islamic manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish language; knowledge of Arabic and/or Persian will also be appreciated. The candidate should also have a proven ability to write fluently in English

For information and questions regarding the application and selection procedure, candidates are asked to contact the IMS secretariat (info@ims.forth.gr), tel. +30 28310-27281.

Further details:
1 Postdoctoral Fellowship, Institute for Mediterranean Studies