Postdoctoral Research Associate: Late Antique Literature; GREEKWEST – Grade 7

Overview

University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

The University of Liverpool is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Late Antique Literature as part of the European Research Council (ERC) funded project “Greek in the West:
Language Communities, Migration and the Transformation of Society in Western Europe (GREEKWEST)”. The project is led by Dr Alison John and is based in the Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology within the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The GREEKWEST project explores the presence and significance of the Greek language in Western Europe during Late Antiquity, approximately between 300 and 700 CE. The research investigates how Greek was used, transmitted, and understood within various communities in the late antique West, examining who used Greek, which social groups were involved, and how Greek knowledge and education were maintained or transformed within Western societies.

The project combines approaches from philology, sociolinguistics, prosopography, and epigraphy to reconstruct the linguistic and cultural landscape of the period.

The project will build a comprehensive four-part database addressing the project’s main thematic areas:
Literary Culture and Education;
Political and Religious Networks between East and West;
Material Culture, Migration and Non-Elite Bilingual isms; and Translation. These datasets will support four regional case studies focusing on Calabria and Sicily, Carthage, the southern coast of Gaul, and Gallaecia. The overall project will result in a series of collaborative publications including three edited volumes and a monograph.

• The successful candidate will primarily contribute to Theme 1:
  Literary Culture and Education. The role involves examining the use, teaching, and transmission of Greek in literary and educational contexts in the late antique West.
• Responsibilities include analysing literary texts and documentary evidence, contributing to the development and management of the project’s research database, collaborating with project team members, and producing high-quality scholarly research outputs related to the project’s objectives.

The position is designed to support the professional development of early-career researchers. In addition to collaborative research responsibilities, the successful candidate will pursue their own research aligned with the project themes and will have opportunities to participate in training, networking, and professional development activities. Funding is available to cover visa costs for applicants from outside the United Kingdom. The post is offered on a fixed-term basis for 36 months starting from 1 September 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place online via Microsoft Teams in early May.

• Applicants should hold a PhD in Classics, Late Antique Literature, Ancient History, or a closely related discipline. Candidates who are close to completing their PhD may also apply but will initially be appointed at a lower grade until their doctorate is formally awarded. Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic background and research experience relevant to Late Antique literary studies.
• Strong research background in Late Antique literature or related fields.
• Excellent knowledge of Ancient Greek and Latin.
• Demonstrated experience working with literary sources from the ancient or late antique world.
• Interest in the cultural, linguistic, and intellectual history of Late Antiquity.
• Familiarity with philological methods and interdisciplinary approaches to historical and literary research.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary research team and contribute to large-scale research initiatives.

Salary details: £39,906 to £46,049 per annum (Grade
7). Candidates who have not yet been awarded their PhD will initially be appointed at Grade 6 (Spine Point 30) until confirmation of their doctoral award, after which the salary will increase to Grade 7 (Spine Point 31).