CLOSED – Postdoctoral Researcher – Translation, religion and print history

School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Ref: University of Galway 049-23

The University of Galway is recruiting a full-time, fixed term Postdoctoral Researcher for 36
months. The successful candidate will join a diverse and international research team on the
PIETRA Project led by Professor Anne O’Connor, School of Languages, Literatures and
Cultures.

The position is funded by a European Research Council Consolidator Grant awarded to
Professor O’Connor and is available from April 2023 to contract end date of March 2026 (36
months).

The project
PIETRA is the first, large-scale, multilingual study of the translation products and processes
that underpin communication in global religion. The project focuses on translation practices
in the institution of the Catholic Church and the multilingual communication of religious
messages against a background of technological change. It poses key research questions
relating to consistency of message in a large multilingual institution across different
languages, cultures and communicative formats. PIETRA analyses the translation processes
and products of the Catholic Church across three different media (print, web and social
media) and in two different time periods to advance understandings of how multilingual
dissemination intersects with technological change and institutional ideology. PIETRA
combines the latest advances in empirical translation research, data capture and analytics,
with sociological and ethnographic investigations to form a model for the analysis of the
products and processes of large-scale multilingual dissemination.

The place
This post will be based in the Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social
Studies, located in the Hardiman Research Building at the University of Galway. The
researcher will work with the other members of the research team and will benefit from
dedicated training, mentorship and networking activities. The research team will comprise of
the PI, 2 postdoctoral researchers, 2 Research Assistants and 3 doctoral students.

Job Description:
The Postdoctoral Researcher (PDR) will conduct archival research relating to the Catholic
publishing industry in the nineteenth century. The researcher will create datasets on the
translation of Catholic religious works in European countries and beyond, analysing
bibliographical trends and conducting data trawls through catalogues. The PDR will study the
paratexts of religious translations, publication processes and changes in print
industrialisation. The PDR will be involved in the dissemination of project findings. This will
include co-authoring and presenting conferences papers; co-authoring peer-reviewed
articles; co-ordinating social media communications, and co-creating and organising
dissemination events.

Duties include:

– Developing datasets on religious translations in the nineteenth century
– Quantitative research, data gathering and data input of multilingual sources.
– Analysing translation patterns and media of communication in the nineteenth century
– Analysing related elements such as economics, paratextuality, audience, translators.
– Contributing to the project website, social media outputs
– Preparation of research work for publication, individually or in collaboration with
research team, and dissemination of results as appropriate (peer-reviewed publications,
conference presentations)
– Promotion of the project including project website and social media.
– Contribution to project progress reports and day to day running of the project.
– Building collaborative relationships with researchers
– Attending core meetings

Essential Requirements:

Suitable candidates must meet the following criteria:
– PhD in Translation History/Religious History/Digital Humanities or related area
(submitted before interview date)
– Excellent writing and communication skills
– English proficiency plus proficiency in at least two additional languages (preferably
including one of the following: Polish, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese).

Desirable criteria:
– Familiarity with religious translation/religious contexts
– Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
– Good evidence of quantitative research skills and/or experience working with
multilingual corpora/large data sets
– Peer-reviewed publication record
– Evidence of strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Salary: €41,209 per annum pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts (public sector pay
policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply).

Start: April 2023

Continuing Professional Development/Training:
The University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all
researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond
academia. Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre
(RDC) upon commencing employment – see www.universityofgalway.ie/rdc for further
information.

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research
at University of Galway.

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie.

Further informal enquiries concerning this position may be made by contacting Professor
Anne O’Connor: anne.oconnor@universityofgalway.ie.

To Apply
Applications should include a covering letter outlining the applicant’s suitability for the role,
a sample of academic written work (e.g. published article, thesis chapter), a CV, and the
contact details of two referees. Applications should be sent as one pdf file via email to
mooreinstitute@universityofgalway.ie. Please put the relevant reference number University of Galway 049-23 in subject line of email application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm, March 24 2023.

Interviews are planned to be held online the week commencing 4 April 2023.

We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post. The University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer. All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment