Doctoral Candidate, European Literature in Transnational Perspective

Based at: University of York campus (with some remote working options available)

Interview date: TBC, late January 2023 

Department

The University of York’s Centre for Women’s Studies and Department of English & Related Literature are recruiting for 1 Doctoral Candidate to work on the “Translational genres: genre/gender crossings in translation and creative practice” research strand on EUTERPE: European Literatures and Gender in Transnational Perspective, an international, collaborative Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks project, funded by Horizon Europe and UKRI and involving a consortium of 7 European universities, working with non-academic Associate Partners. The recruitment calls for all EUTERPE strands can be found here.

Role

The York Doctoral Candidate will develop an original doctoral thesis that should:

• Build on the notion of the “born-translated” novel, or the blending of gender and sexuality studies with migrant/multilingual literary, in order to interrogate and reimagine the definition of translingual, border-crossing writing not merely as an aesthetic effect in transnational literatures but as a genre in its own right.
• Deepen understandings of how multilingual and migrant writing shapes and is shaped by nuanced intersections of gender, language, culture, race, class, sexuality, and/or disability.
• Experiment with practice-led research methods, using translation and/or various forms of creative practice (e.g. creative writing, performance, mixed-media artforms), alongside social science methods (e.g. interviews, focus groups), in order to develop innovative interdisciplinary methods for approaching border-crossing artworks that challenge and question existing conventions in literary scholarship.

They would also:

• Engage in an industry internship with our Associate Partner, Comma Press Manchester, and a 6-month secondment based at the University of Bologna, as part of the candidate’s bespoke Employability Enhancement Plan.
• Actively collaborate with other researchers within the network towards the EUTERPE objectives and outputs, including the Dictionary of Transnational Women’s Literature in Europe, Digital Podcast Library, and network events. 
• Support the York PI and CI in the organisation, coordination, and delivery of the York-based EUTERPE school, project conference, and relevant public engagement and dissemination activities. 

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• A 2nd Level Master Degree (120 ECTS + 180 ECTS in a bachelor degree) or a Single Cycle Degree (minimum 300 ECTS), or a comparable university degree (Second Cycle qualification), in literary studies, translation, gender studies, and/or related fields post-1800, completed by November 28^th, 2022.
• Knowledge in and/or professional, activist, artistic, or related experience in literary multilingualism, multi-/transculturalism, migration, and/or gender studies. 
• Knowledge of a range of research techniques and methodologies, including translation, literary, and/or artistic methods
• Research expertise or equivalent experience in an area that will complement and enhance the project’s research strategy and goals
• Proven fluency in English, as per York’s English language criteria for research degrees. Fluency in any languages other than English and/or experience of working multilingually would be an asset.
• Highly developed communication skills to engage effectively with a wide ranging audience, both orally and in writing, using a range of media

Please see the job description for further requirements.

For informal enquiries: Please contact the Primary Investigator at York, Dr. Boriana Alexandrova, at boriana.alexandrova@york.ac.uk.

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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