Student Research Assistant - New Digital Methods

Job Description

Student Research Assistant – New Digital Methods for Understanding

The Impacts of Early Women Writers on the Development of Science and Philosophy

Position Overview

Discipline: Not applicable. This is a research assistant position working on the (interdisciplinary) Tier 1 Program award project ‘New Digital Methods for Understanding The Impacts of Early Women Writers on the Development of Science and Philosophy’. The Principal Investigators are in Philosophy.

Faculty: Not applicable. This research post is funded by a Northeastern University FY25 TIER 1 Program award.

Location: London, Moretown (St Katherines Dock)

Term: Part-time; Fixed term – Spring Semester 2025.

Salary Range: £14.74 per hour (inclusive of Holiday Pay)

Direct Reports: None

Reports to: Brian Ball (and Peter West)

Benefits: The University supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offer flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.

Start: January 2025

The Role

Northeastern University London wishes to appoint a Research Assistant on the Tier 1 FY25 Program award funded project ‘New Digital Methods for Understanding The Impacts of Early Women Writers on the Development of Science and Philosophy’ (project description below). The appointee will serve as the point of contact between this project and the Polygraphs Project (and co-PI of both projects, Brian Ball).

We wish to appoint a student research assistant with an interest in how digital humanities methods might inform and develop our scholarly understanding of the influence of early women writers – especially Margaret Cavendish – on natural philosophy (especially the work of the Royal Society) in the early modern period. The candidate will be required to undergo some training in digital humanities methods and computer simulations of social networks.

Core duties will include: Working with co-PI Brian Ball to determine how best to use the skills and expertise of the Polygraphs Project and computer simulations of social networks to inform our understanding of the influence of early women writers on early modern natural science; helping in the production and dissemination of outputs of the project including visualisations of the social networks of key players (such as Margaret Cavendish and members of the Royal Society) and any scholarly/ popular publications; serving as a point of contact between the Polygraphs Project and other members of the ‘New Digital Methods’ team, including research assistants in Boston.

Research Project Description:

This project will examine and highlight the impacts of early women scientists and natural philosophers on the development of these disciplines during a formative period of the Enlightenment. The project will use Margaret Cavendish's engagements with the Royal Society as a case study in the relation between early women’s writing and early institutional science.

The project will draw on the resources and expertise of The Women Writers Project (WWP), the NULab for Texts, Maps, and Networks, and the PolyGraphs project at NU London and, in doing so, provide a feminist and recovery-orientated large-scale text analysis project in the digital humanities. It will also present a novel synthesis of expertise in philosophical research and DH methods.

The project will also address a wider, societal need for public awareness of women in the history of philosophy and science. By using digital methods, we will both enable novel research into this seminal period and provide new tools for raising the public visibility of women and the sciences, helping to show that women have contributed to scientific and philosophical disciplines since before the beginnings of modernity. Ultimately, the project will demonstrate the many ways that women have always belonged in science.

Discipline/ Faculty

This interdisciplinary research project brings together philosophers from NU London, the Polygraphs Project at NU London, NULab for Texts, Maps, and Networks, and the Women Writers Project at NU Boston. The project PIs are Peter West (Philosophy, NU London), Brian Ball (Philosophy, NU London & the Polygraphs Project), Sarah Connell (NULab and the Women Writers Project), and Julia Flanders (NULab and the Women Writers Project).

About the University

Founded in 2012, Northeastern University London (formerly known as New College of the Humanities) has established itself as a prestigious higher education institution based in the heart of London. Northeastern University London is part of Northeastern University’s Global Campus Network. Positioned as top ranking in the USA, Northeastern has campuses in Arlington, Boston, Charlotte, Miami, Oakland, San Jose, and Seattle in the USA, and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.

After becoming part of Northeastern University’s global network in early 2019, the University has undergone a period of rapid growth, having been granted Taught Degree Awarding Powers in February 2020 and moved to a new, state-of-the-art campus in 2021.

Northeastern University London offers a vibrant, collegiate community delivering broad and academically rigorous degree programmes, designed to equip graduates with the combination of skills and knowledge that are increasingly desired by organisations, employers, and society. It offers state of the art audio visual technology in its teaching and meeting spaces across the organisation.

Person Specification Criteria

To undertake this role, the following should apply – should you not have the experience below, please do highlight where transferrable skills would assist with you undertaking the role.

• Current undergraduate or postgraduate student at Northeastern University London, ideally with an interest in history of philosophy/ history of science/ early women writers/ digital humanities.
• Willingness to take on training and develop skills in computer network simulations.
• An interest in the application of graph computing techniques to humanities and social science research
• An interest in the application of digital humanities methods to the history of philosophy.

Additional Information

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Brian Ball (brian.ball@nulondon.ac.uk). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application Process

Applications should be made by Monday 2 December 2024. Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.

Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role (including teaching and research where appropriate), and a full Curriculum Vitae.

Please note this role may require a Basic or Enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.