Postdoctoral Research Assistant

The Durham Department of Classics & Ancient History is a large and successful department. We consistently rank as one of the top Classics and Ancient History Departments in the UK for research and teaching. We came joint 4th in the 2021 REF in Classics, and 13th in the 2022 QS World University Rankings. We regularly attract postdoctoral research fellows to the Department, either through the fellowship scheme administered by the University's Institute of Advanced Study, or with funding from national and international research councils and foundations. Four interdisciplinary research centres are based in the Department: the Centre for the Study of the Ancient Mediterranean and the Near East; the Centre for Language and Writing Systems; the Durham Centre for Classical Reception; the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy.

The Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant position in Classical Reception on the Leverhulme-funded research project Aristotle Beyond the Academy: The Reception of Aristotle in Britain and Ireland 1660-1922.

The aim of this project is to ask how and why Aristotle has made cultural appearances outside university circles in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales since the Restoration, focusing on ethics/politics, rhetoric, and natural science.

The post-holder will specialize in the reception of Aristotle’s science and report to the Principal Investigator, Professor Edith Hall, in weekly meetings.

Essential requirements for the post include a PhD in a classical subject relevant to this project. The ideal candidate would have specialist experience in ancient Greek philosophy and/or science and in Classical Reception, although dedicated training in appropriate methodologies will be given. High motivation and organisational skills are essential.

The post-holder will examine the non-academic reception of Aristotelian works on natural science including the Peripatetic Problems, treatises on animals, Physics, De Caelo, De Generatione et Corruptione, De Mundo, and the Parva Naturalia. These are (mis)quoted, illustrated and epitomised in works on zoology, health, reproduction, gynaecology, and more occult matters. The post-holder will write four articles, including one for publication in the proceedings of the project’s closing conference.

The post-holder will also help organize and host virtual workshops and the conference. They will contribute to the design and maintenance of the project’s website; competence in IT would be an advantage.

The post-holder will be a member of the Department of Classics and Ancient History, the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy and the Durham Centre for Classical Reception.

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