Research Assistant/Associate - Ancient Roman Mathematics

Research Assistant/Associate - Ancient Roman Mathematics

Requisition ID: 27763

Location: Newcastle, GB

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Working Pattern: Part Time

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 25 November 2024

The Role

We are seeking to appoint a Research Assistant/Associate with a background and skills in classical languages and historical mathematics research, to work on an innovative project entitled the Agrimensores and Roman Mathematics, led by PI Dr Richard Marshall, and funded by UKRI.

Agrimensores and Roman Mathematics is an ambitious and innovative research project to establish a new textual basis and contextual framework for the study of the overlooked Roman mathematical tradition, producing the first complete critical edition, translation, and commentary of the collection of practical mathematical problems attributed to Epaphroditus and Vitruvius Rufus and related mathematical material.

Your role will focus on the collation of manuscripts belonging to the so-called Corpus Agrimensorum Romanorum, the transcription of diagrams, and translation and interpretation of relevant texts. Additionally, you will work creatively and collaboratively with project partners, including museums and educational providers, to help develop and deliver the project’s educational resources in support of the teaching of Roman numerals and of tactile mathematical activities based on ancient educational practices.

With support from the PI, you will be required to collaborate with a range of stakeholders and expected to take initiative in your work. You will be expected to attend regular online project meetings, and to participate in the research life of the School.

The project is hosted in the School of History, Classics & Archaeology, which has a vibrant and active research culture with particular strengths in interdisciplinary working and supporting the holistic career development of early career colleagues.

You will be provided with academic and pastoral support within the School, and training will be provided to develop your competences. You will benefit from access to the School’s mentoring scheme, extensive training opportunities including a bespoke personal development plan, and peer support from a cross-disciplinary cohort of talented postdoctoral and early career researchers. Newcastle University is a signatory to the Concordat to support researchers’ career development which entitles Researchers up to 10 days annually of personal CPD activities.

This is a part-time position, 18.5 hours per week on a fixed-term basis for the duration of 18 months.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking extensive manuscript collations
• Conducting extensive research in the practical mathematical tradition (utilising both Greek and Latin sources)
• Surveying the research literature and environment, understanding the research challenges associated with the subject area and the project
• Contributing to the development of a project website and font resources
• Developing and maintaining collaborations and relationships with key academic and non-academic stakeholders
• Supporting the delivery of an impact programme that uses ancient pedagogical practices to generate new methodologies for teaching Roman numerals and tactile mathematics
• Contributing to the design and delivery of public engagement events (e.g. learning resources, exhibitions, etc.)
• Producing high-quality publications, including (co-)authored journal articles, a (co-)edited collection, and a planned project monograph
• Presenting on aspects of the project at relevant conferences and seminars as agreed with the PI
• Performing other project-related tasks as agreed with the PI including administrative tasks (e.g. routine communications, event management and organisation, and budget and expenditure administration) and travel to libraries in the UK and Germany

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Research expertise and background which demonstrably aligns with the project (e.g. expertise in Latin, Classical Greek, and ancient mathematics) and the key accountabilities of the position
• Emerging/track record of presentations/research publications
• Knowledge of/ability to use philological and editorial methodologies
• Knowledge of/ability to use papyrological evidence
• Ability and willingness to travel to conduct research across the UK and Europe
• Experience of/strong interest in using creative research and working at the intersection between classics and the history of science
• Experience of designing and/or delivering academic/public engagement events
• The ability to use databases (e.g. MS Excel/Access/SQL databases)

Attributes and Behaviour

• Outstanding organisational abilities including: time management skills, ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines, and ability to work with initiative both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity and to diverse audiences, engaging the interest and enthusiasm of the target audience
• High level of analytical skill and problem-solving capacity
• Willingness and ability to work with both academic and non-academic audiences and partners with care and sensitivity

Qualifications

• Master's degree and PhD near completion (Assistant Level) or an awarded PhD (Associate Level) in Classics/Ancient History

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.