Postdoctoral Research Associate in Papyrology (Coptic Papyri)

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Papyrology (Coptic Papyri) to support the work of Dr Chiara Meccariello in the Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology. The post is available on a fixed-term basis for two years from 1 October 2025.

The successful applicant 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.

The postholder 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. The postholder will be responsible for the Coptic material. As well as populating the platform with editions of papyri, ostraca and tablets, the postholder will also produce original research on ancient education based on this material, with particular focus on the development of new contexts and methods of education in late antiquity. The postholder will also be expected to co-organise and take part in project-related events and activities.

About you
Applicants 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. They will be able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in Papyrology and associated methods and techniques to work within established research programmes. Applicants will have linguistic proficiency in Coptic and experience working with a range of ancient sources, including papyri and related materials.

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

Further information
For further information please contact Dr Chiara Meccariello at c.meccariello@exeter.ac.uk.

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