Postdoctoral researcher in Codicology for the ERC Consolidator Grant project "QurCan"

Postdoctoral Researcher in Codicology for the ERC Consolidator Grant Project "QurCan"

The Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) is looking for a

Postdoctoral researcher in Codicology for the ERC Consolidator Grant project “QurCan -- The Canonization of the Quranic Reading Traditions”

Project Description
The canonisation of the Quranic reading traditions (qirāʾāt) goes back to the 10th c. scholar Ibn Mujahid who established the canon. Up until recently, it was thought that his work functioned as our historical horizon— everything we can know about the pre-canonical situation is filtered through his choices and thinking. However, there are hundreds of Quranic manuscripts from the time preceding the canonisation stretching back at least to the beginning of the 8th c. that make use of diacritics to instruct the reader. These pre-canonical reading traditions provide a vista into the pre-history of Quranic recitation, yet they have so far gone almost entirely unstudied. The ERC Consolidator grant project QurCan aims to mine these rich historical sources to understand what Quran recitation was like before Ibn Mujahid, how the reading traditions developed, and how this led to the crystallized canon that we know today. The project collects a database of vocalised manuscripts, and aims to analyze their linguistic features and their relationship to the canonical reading traditions and to one another.

Key Responsibilities

• The tasks of the Postdoctoral researcher focus on the codicological study of the vocalised Quranic manuscripts, by comparing different clusters of codicological features and analysing these clusters against the features of the reading traditions present in the manuscripts to discover meaningful patterns or correlations. The aim is to reconstruct patterns of manuscript production and their relationship to the reading traditions so as to develop a more detailed picture of when and where manuscripts were produced, and in this way reconstruct various local practices of manuscript production, vocalisation and Quran recitation.
• The researcher will work with a large database of vocalised Quranic manuscripts transcribed in machine-readable format, which will also enable the annotation of codicological information to further examine its details.

Selection Criteria

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., codicology, Islamic studies, Quranic studies).
• Demonstrable experience in codicology and/or palaeography of middle eastern medieval manuscripts
• A good command of English is required and a command of Classical Arabic is considered a plus.
• Demonstrable experience in digital humanities as applied in philological disciplines is considered a plus.
• Knowledge of the Quranic manuscript tradition and the Quranic reading traditions is considered a plus.

Our Organisation
Leiden University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL) is one of seven Institutes that falls under the Faculty of Humanities. With over 120 linguists working at the Institute, it is a rich research environment that prides itself on fostering scientific excellence. At LUCL we offer extensive research support to our researchers. For example, a communications advisor is on hand to assist you in publicising your research.

LUCL has a longstanding tradition in the study of the world’s languages and features unique linguistic expertise. Current theoretical insights are combined with modern experimental methods in its research profile area ‘Language Diversity in the World’. Researchers from our six umbrella research groups are experts in their respective fields but equally find innovative ways of collaborating with other fields and disciplines.

The Faculty of Humanities is rich in expertise in fields such as philosophy, religious studies, history, art history, literature, linguistics and area studies covering nearly every region of the world. With its staff of 995, the faculty provides 27 master’s and 25 bachelor’s programmes for over 7,000 students based at locations in Leiden and in The Hague.

Terms and Conditions
We offer a fixed term appointment of one and a half years and for 1.0 fte.

The starting salary will be between € 4,060.- and € 4,227.- for a full appointment (salary scale 10.4 – 10.5). The starting date is as soon as possible. You are expected to work in Leiden.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break.

Diversity
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Enquiries can be made to Dr. Marijn van Putten, e-mail: m.van.putten@hum.leidenuniv.nl, or on practical matters Maarit van Gammeren, email m.s.k.van.gammeren@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Dr. Marijn van Putten, Researcher