Senior Researcher for the Dictionary of Old Norse Prose

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), Denmark, invites applications for a position as editor (senior researcher) at The Dictionary of Old Norse Prose to be filled by 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics (NorS) provides the setting for international research and education from BA to PhD studies within linguistics and language technology, literature, media, culture and gender studies. At NorS we do research, dissemination, and teaching in the areas of Nordic cultural heritage and in modern sociolinguistic and technological approaches to language. We work with philological disciplines such as manuscript and literature studies, with name research, language change, computational cognitive modelling, and human language technology.

The successful candidate will contribute to The Dictionary of Old Norse Prose (ONP) at The Arnamagnæan Collection. The dictionary is a historical dictionary of the prose language of medieval Norway (up to c. 1370) and Iceland (up to c. 1540). It will eventually define every Old Norse word in both Danish and English. ONP is funded by the Arnamagnæan Commission. 

Job content 
The successful candidate will join the dictionary editorial team, which consists of a total of five dictionary editors. 

The dictionary is a long-term project and editing is around 60% complete. It is expected that the successful candidate will actively work towards the long-term finalisation of the dictionary.

The primary task of the position is to produce dictionary articles for ONP in English and reviewing existing articles already defined in Danish.

Other tasks include contributing to the editing and management of the Dictionary’s data and collections, the writing of scientific articles and other publications in the fields of Old Norse philology and lexicography, and the promotion of the Dictionary and its research.

The candidate is expected to contribute actively to the research environment at The Arnamagnæan Collection, see also: https://research.ku.dk/

The ideal candidate will have:

• A solid research profile in Old Norse philology with international anchoring in the form of research networks etc.
• Fluency in English or Danish at a very high level (the candidate is expected to produce dictionary articles in English and/or Danish) and/or fluency in modern Icelandic at a very high level, together with advanced fluency in English and/or Danish sufficient for writing definitions in those languages.
• Experience of digital methods in working with older texts and languages.
• Knowledge of Danish.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern Icelandic will be an advantage.
• Experience with long-term, large-scale research projects characterised by a high degree of research collaboration, including insight into long-term sustainable research. infrastructures.
• Willingness to actively promote the dictionary project.

Qualification requirements
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or its equivalent within the area advertised.

Documented competences in these main fields of activity, particularly the ability to read, understand and interpret Old Norse, as well as the ability to reflect on them, will be weighted in the assessment process (see further below).

Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on the following academic and personal qualifications:

1. Research qualifications, which will be assessed in relation to the period of active research, the degree of originality, and academic output, e.g., number of quality publications published in internationally recognized, peer-reviewed journals or in comparable high-ranking series published with internationally recognized publishing houses.
2. The applicant’s scientific record, academic breadth and depth, rigour, thoroughness, and accuracy.
3. Experience and qualifications with regard to dissemination of research, knowledge-sharing and engagement with the wider public, media and politics.
4. Documentation of administrative qualifications.

Applicants must be able to document the following:

1. The ability to investigate language at the lexical level.
2. High quality, peer-reviewed publications in recognised journals and/or books or anthologies.
3. Experience in digital methods relating to pre-modern languages and texts.
4. Participation in relevant and strong Danish and international academic networks.
5. Good citizenship: interest in and commitment to the maintenance and enhancement of a collegiate community and an academic environment in which approaches to the development of research and external contacts are based on solidarity.

All of the above-mentioned criteria must be met. It is also an advantage if applicants have experience of obtaining external funding, alone or together with colleagues.

The criteria can be found here: Criteria for recognising merit – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk) and here The criteria for associate professors, the last of which are comparable to the criteria for senior researchers.

For further details about the qualification requirements for senior researchers, please read more in the job structure for academics at the universities (under the comparable category of associate professors) here.

Within a reasonable period of time (3-6 years), non-Danish-speaking appointees are expected to acquire proficiency in Danish sufficient to be able to interact with colleagues and students.

Assessment of applicants will consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research as well as documented administrative and technical qualifications. Applicants’ outreach qualifications, including the ability to attract external funding, will also be considered.

Contact information
For further information about the position, please contact Head of Department, Anne Jensen, email: [email protected].
Information about the recruitment process is available from HR, e-mail: [email protected], please refer to ID number: 211-0078/24-2P #1.

Application
Submit the application online in Adobe PDF or Word format. Please click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page.

The application must be written in English and must include the following:

1. Application letter/cover letter
2. Curriculum vitae (with applicant’s e-mail & telephone number)
3. Documentation of qualifications (examination certificates/PhD diploma, etc.)
4. Complete and numbered list of publications. The enclosed publications must be marked with *
5. Research plan, including a short description of previous research and a plan for the coming years that includes an account of involvement in organizing research, establishment of research seminars, symposia and congresses, etc.
6. Teaching portfolio. Documentation of teaching qualifications and research dissemination (organization of classes, materials, courses and other forms of teaching). For more information regarding the expected contents of the teaching portfolio, applicants are encouraged to read the University guidelines for teaching portfolios when appointing academic staff at the University of Copenhagen : https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/
7. Publications. Applicants may choose a maximum of five publications for assessment, of which at least three must have been published within the five years immediately preceding the deadline for applications. Publication dates must be clearly marked on the publication list. The publications selected must be uploaded as attachments and named from 1 to 5.

Should any material submitted consist of work with named co-authors, or work that is otherwise the result of collective academic endeavours, the extent of the applicant’s contribution to the work must be clearly stipulated. The faculty may ask for a signed statement from the co-authors stipulating the extent and nature of each individual’s contribution.

Only material in English, German, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic will be assessed.

Appointment procedure
After the application deadline, the head of department selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Appointment Committee. All applicants are notified whether their application has been accepted for assessment. The Dean subsequently appoints an expert assessment committee tasked with carrying out an assessment of the selected applicants for the specific post. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee. Applicants are ultimately offered the opportunity of commenting on the part of the assessment relating to themselves before the appointment is finalized.

Applicants will be continuously informed about the progress of the procedure by e-mail.

An Equal Opportunity Workplace
University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their personal backgrounds. For more information on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Research, see  HR Excellence in Research – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

Salary and conditions of employment
Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).

The salary range for Senior Researchers starts at DKK 44,900 (EUR 6,000) per month + a 17,1 % contribution to the pension scheme.

It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis.

The Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) have further agreed on a protocol that makes it possible for international researchers employed by the University to achieve a pension exemption, whereby the pension contribution will be paid out as salary.

International applicant?
The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here:  For international researchers at the University of Copenhagen – University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)

UCPH wishes to encourage everyone interested in this post to apply, regardless of personal background.

The closing date for applications is 27 May 2024 at 23:59 CEST

Applications or supplementary material received thereafter will not be considered.