Postdoctoral position on Arabic manuscripts (Jabirian corpus)

1 Postdoctoral position at the UCLouvain (Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium) as part of the FNRS Incentive Grant for Scientific Research “Prisca Alchimia. The Beginnings of Arabic Alchemy in the East (8^th-10^th centuries) and its Transmission to al-Andalus and to the Latin World” conducted by Prof. Sébastien Moureau.

Prisca Alchimia is a two-year F.R.S.-FNRS project to start in January 2022 at the UCLouvain (UCL) under the supervision of Prof. Sébastien Moureau. This research project focuses on the history of the Arabic alchemy of the first centuries (8^th-10^th centuries) approached as the starting context of the alchemical ideas that were transmitted to al-Andalus in the 10^th century and then to the Latin West in the 12^th and 13^th centuries. The aim is to study the first of the three stages in the transfer of alchemy from the Arab-Muslim East to the Latin world through al-Andalus. In order to do so, research will be oriented towards the sources of alchemical literature of al-Andalus and Latin Europe.

As part of this project, a postdoc position of two years (to start before 1 July 2022) is offered for the second sub-project, i.e. a profound re-evaluation of the manuscript tradition of the corpus of alchemical texts attributed to Jābir b. Ḥayyān, the creation of an inventory of witnesses and the acquisition of copies of the most important manuscripts. This position will involve numerous stays in countries where little or poorly catalogued Arabic alchemical manuscript collections are found (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, etc.).

The qualifications required are:

• a PhD in Islamic Studies, in Middle Eastern Studies, or related fields, granted within the last 6 years (i.e. after 1/7/2016);
• an excellent command of Classical Arabic;
• excellent skills in codicology, Arabic paleography, and manuscript tradition studies;
• a first-rate track record and research experience;
• publications of articles in peer-reviewed international journals or monographs with recognised academic publishers;
• academic writing and presentation skills in English;
• the ability to work both individually and as part of a team.

This postdoc position is full-time equivalent. It is offered initially for a period of 12 months, renewable for another 12 months (two years in total) upon good performance. The postdoc retained will be required to reside in Belgium for the whole period of the fellowship, with many trips and stays abroad, and will be asked to contribute to the intellectual life of the project and of the UCLouvain.

How to apply?

Applications should be made via PDF files and contain the following:

1. a cover letter setting out the candidate’s qualifications and motivation for applying for the position (maximum 2 pages);
2. a curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages);
3. a list of publications;
4. two samples of published work (articles, chapters) in pdf (preferably in English or French);
5. a transcript of grades and/or copy of the PhD certificate;
6. the name (with title, affiliation and email) of three people having accepted to be contacted as potential referees.

Applications should be made electronically (PDF files only) and sent to the following address:

sebastien.moureau@uclouvain.be

The application deadline is 28 February 2022.

Candidates selected for the interviews will be contacted by March 4 and asked to write a short research design on a topic to be announced at that moment.

Online interviews will be arranged between 14 and 18 March 2022.

Employment must become effective before 1 July 2022.