Postdoctoral Position (2 years, 1.0 fte) at Leiden University on Hellenization, Hellenism and things
Anchoring WP 8: ‘Hellenization’ and ‘Romanization’ in Ptolemaic Egypt, Central & Western Asia and Greece and WP 9: Experience, intermediality, mediation: embedding global diversity in Hellenistic Rome (323 BCE – 31 BCE)
Main Supervisor: Prof. dr Miguel John Versluys; additional supervision by Prof. dr Ineke Sluiter
Salary Range: Pay scale for postdoctoral researchers, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, salary scale 10 or 11, depending on education and experience
Project Description
The occurrence of “things Greek” outside the Aegean has traditionally been interpreted in terms of the spread of Greek culture and called Hellenization or Hellenism. Recent discussions within the field, however, have clearly shown the limitations of this view. Hellenization makes Hellas into the main agent of change and thus ignores the agency of individuals or groups with what is probably better understood as a process of (active) appropriation and embedding. It is debated, moreover, to what extent these elements were understood as being “Greek” in their ancient context; and what that concept then meant. Also, it is an open question if this (supposed) “Greekness” is responsible for the remarkable spread and development of these elements in the first place.
For new elements (ideas, objects, practices etc.) to be adopted, relevant social groups must somehow be able to effectively integrate and accommodate them in their conceptual categories, values and beliefs. This happens if they manage to connect what is perceived as new to what they consider familiar, known or already accepted: a process or activity called anchoring. This concept, developed within the framework of the wider research program Anchoring Innovation, of which this project is part, allows for a radical rethinking of the question of Hellenization whereby the perspective shifts from spreaders and spreading to anchoring. What allowed “things Greek” to be anchored in so many different contexts for such a long period of time. What, in other words, can explain their remarkably, large-scale success? And how and in what way did many of them manage to become anchors themselves subsequently?
In answering these questions, the focus should be on objects and the possibilities for action (‘affordances’) these objects provided. Does the study of objects and their impact on people and societies provide a new perspective to help in reconceptualizing the study of Hellenization and Hellenism?
We are looking for an ambitious postdoctoral researcher to investigate these issues in a theoretically sophisticated way, for instance within the framework of material engagement theory, both through theoretical explorations as well as case studies. These studies should also serve to add to the conceptualisation of the idea of anchoring from the perspective of objects and their agency.
We invite you to submit a research proposal of 1500 words for this project (excluded are the bibliography and (if appropriate) an appendix containing a description of sources (together max. two pages A4)) and dealing with the ideas formulated above. Feel free to be creative with different ideas of your own on how to implement research on the theme of ‘hellenization and things’.
More information about the Anchoring Innovation research agenda of OIKOS can be found on the website (https://www.anchoringinnovation.nl) and in an article by
Ineke Sluiter, entitled “Anchoring Innovation: a Classical Research Agenda”.
Host Institutions
The Faculty of Archaeology at Leiden is the leading academic institute for Archaeology in the Netherlands, and one of the largest in the world. The Faculty is an international front-runner, in the top ten of the QS World University Ranking, at subject level. The Faculty has more than 100 staff (around 50 permanent) and about 600 students (400 BA students and 200 (research) MA students). The Faculty also boasts around 50 PhD students and 20 postdocs. Our members come from every corner of the world.
The Faculty of Humanities of Leiden University is an international center for the advanced study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. Our faculty is home to over 6,000 students and 800 staff members. The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is one of the seven Research Institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. LUCAS is dedicated to ground-breaking research that explores the multifaceted relationships between the arts and society.
Terms and Conditions
Postdoc project, 2 years (1.0 fte, 38 hrs per week), starting date to be agreed upon, with a preference for September 1, 2025. Initially the employee will receive a one-year contract, with extension for the following year on condition of a positive evaluation. Salary range depending on education and experience, salary scale 10 or 11, pay scale for postdoctoral researchers, in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. This includes medical and pension benefits. If desired, the position may be held part-time and thereby extended in length.
Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3%), training and career development. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, please visit https://www.workingat.leiden.edu/.
Please note that if the successful candidate is not already registered as living in the Netherlands, it is required that the candidate will officially relocate to the Netherlands on the starting date of the contract at the latest.
- Tasks of the PD candidate will include
- Completion of at least two substantial articles within the contract period;
- Contributing to the organization and publication of a conference on the (wider) subject;
- Participation in meetings of the Anchoring innovation program;
- Presentations of intermediate research results at workshops and conferences;
- Participation in staff meetings and the intellectual life of the research groups involved.
Requirements
- A PhD in a relevant field, and some postdoctoral experience;
- Demonstrable experience with the debate on Hellenism and Hellenisation as well as post anthropocentric theories and perspectives within the SSH;
- Demonstrably excellent research skills and ambitions;
- A strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
- Excellent command of English.
Diversity
The Anchoring Innovation program is strongly committed to diversity within its team and especially welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Information
Enquiries about the position can be addressed to Prof. dr Miguel John Versluys ([email protected]). Questions about the procedure can be directed to Marieke van Egeraat or Lisanne Hofman, the program coordinators of the Anchoring innovation program ([email protected]).
Application
In order to be admissible, applications must include the following information (in the same order), in one PDF file (not zipped):
- Cover letter;
- CV, including a list of publications and contact details of two academic referees;
- Transcript of records (i.e. a certified copy of your BA and MA courses and results);
- Research proposal of 1500 words (see above)
- Copy of PhD diploma.
Please submit your complete application to the coordinators of the Anchoring-program via [email protected] before MAY 26. Interviews with selected candidates will take place on June 23 (online).
