CLOSED – Postdoctoral Researcher in translation, religion and print history – PIETRA

School of Languages, Literatures & Cultures

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Celtic Studies

 Ref No: University of Galway 279-22

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 1 January 2023 to contract end date of 31 December 2025 (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. There will be a particular focus on Vatican-approved devotional texts. The PDR will study the paratexts of religious translations in the period and the control structures embedded in the translation process. The researcher will analyse how the Catholic Church adapted to changes in print industrialisation and how multilingual religious communication was facilitated on a global scale through print. 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 or Religious History or related area (submitted before interview date)
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Evidence of strong organizational and interpersonal skills

Desirable criteria:

  • Familiarity with religious translation/religious contexts
  • English proficiency plus proficiency in at least two additional languages (preferably including two of the following: Polish, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese).
  • 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

Salary: €39,523- €41,940 per annum (public sector pay policy rules pertaining to new entrants will apply)

Start: 1 January 2023

Continuing Professional Development/Training:

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

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. 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 https://www.universityofgalway.ie/rdc/ for further information.

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 reference number University of Galway 279-22 in subject line of e-mail application.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm, 27th October 2022

University of Galway reserves the right to readvertise or extend the closing date for this post.

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer.

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment.