Postdoctoral Research Associate in Papyrology (Demotic Papyri)

This full-time post is available for two years from 1 October 2025 to support the work of Dr Chiara Meccariello in the Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology.

The post
You will join the research team of the project Education in Graeco-Roman Egypt: An Intercultural Approach (EduGRE), directed by Dr Chiara Meccariello and funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant. The project will comprehensively collate and analyse all school artefacts from Graeco-Roman Egypt, including Egyptian, Greek and Latin material, to set Graeco-Roman education in its specific Egyptian context and explore the interplay of cultural traditions in educational practices as well as the connection between education and evolving political and religious landscapes.

You will collaborate with the other team members on the creation of an online platform which will house born-digital editions of papyri and related material in Greek, Latin, Demotic and Coptic, as well as images and 3D reconstructions of relevant artefacts. You will be responsible for the Demotic material. As well as populating the platform with editions of papyri, ostraca and tablets, you will also produce original research on ancient education based on this material, with particular focus on its relationship to earlier phases of Egyptian education and on Graeco-Egyptian cultural interactions. You will also be expected to co-organise and take part in project-related events and activities.

About you

You will:

• Possess a relevant PhD (or be nearing completion) or an equivalent qualification/experience in Egyptology, Classics, Ancient History or a related field of study.
• Will be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in Papyrology and associated methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Will have linguistic proficiency in Demotic and experience working with a range of ancient sources, including papyri and related materials.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) for full details of this role.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research.
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly.
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development.
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career.
• A multitude of staff benefits including sector leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a Fertility Treatment Policy.
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

Further information
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr Chiara Meccariello at c.meccariello@exeter.ac.uk.

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