Research Associate

The role

The Department of History invites applications for a Research Associate (RA). The RA will join the AHRC/ DFG project, ‘Global Bibles: British and German Bible Societies Translating Colonialism, 1800-1914’ (AH/X001881/1).

This historical project will examine how Bible Societies in German and English speaking lands came together to translate the Bible into all the languages of the world – a global bible. The project seeks to explore the scale and ambition of the global bible, explaining how it was funded, planned and delivered and its relationship to the missionary movement. Our questions include: how were new bible translations printed, distributed and financed? What was the role played by Indigenous people in the new translations? What was the impact of missionary printing presses on creating new literacies and colonial dependencies in tribal territories? And what effect did the arrival of indigenous translations of the Bible on tribal, national and imperial identities.

The Research Associate will collaborate with Professor Hilary Carey and the project partners, who include Cambridge University Library and the archive of the British and Foreign Bible Society. They will conduct research on archival records of the British and Foreign Bible Society at the University of Cambridge. They will collaborate on a case study relevant to their own expertise in an Arctic, Australian Aboriginal, or Oceanic language and community.

What will you be doing?

The Research Associate will have expertise in a relevant Inuit, Australian or Oceanic Language and/or community, will (1) conduct research on bible society and mission archives in the UK (2) author and upload data for the project database from UK archives (3) write and present two conference papers (5) co-author one article for the special issue of a journal; (6) solo author another journal article for a specialist journal of their choice (7) with HC, commission artistic works, and (8) lead on the Global Bible conference.

You should apply if

Applications are invited from candidates with an interest in historical research, particularly related to missionary linguistics, bible translation, religious history, and the colonial history of Indigenous communities. They should have doctoral experience in history or in a field related to the project’s themes. Candidates should have the desire to work collaboratively with a project team and partners and to convey research findings through creative public engagement activities.

When submitting their application, applicants should submit a proposal outlining 1) how their research and experience contributes to the project themes 2) their experience in, or vision for, conveying research to a non-academic audience 3) their previous experience working with archives, oral history and non-textual sources.

Additional information

Contract type: Open-ended (fixed funding for 18 months)

Work pattern:Full-time

Grade:I/2a

Salary:£35,333 - £39,745per annum

School/Unit:School of Humanities (Historical Studies)

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week

For informal enquiries about the project, contact Professor Hilary Carey: hilary.carey@bristol.ac.uk.

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 13/03/2023

Available documents

• ACAD106643 - Research Associate - JD.pdf
• Further particulars -School of Humanities.pdf