The Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures and the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Chicago invites applications for Postdoctoral Researcher at the Rank of Instructor at the Tablet Collection. The Tablet Collection houses over 6,000 inscribed objects from Mesopotamia, including many tablets from its excavations at Nippur. Under the leadership of curator Susanne Paulus, it serves as a research and teaching collection with a team of undergraduate and graduate student researchers.

The selected candidate will be pivotal in the Nippur Tablet Project, which aims to research, digitize, and publish the inscribed materials from our excavations in an object and content-sensitive database. Core responsibilities include developing and populating the database in cooperation with existing and emerging resources at ISAC, including the Integrated Database, as well as researching, cataloging, digitizing, and publishing selected tablets in collaboration with the team of the Tablet Collection. The candidate will advance the scholarly mission of the Tablet Collection through their research and publications and the organization of a conference or workshop in collaboration with its curator. They will also participate in outreach activities such as talks, tours, and social media engagements. In addition, they will teach two quarter-length courses a year in the Cuneiform Studies program.

Candidates must have completed all requirements for receipt of a Ph.D. in Cuneiform Studies (Assyriology, Sumerology, or a related area) prior to the start of the appointment. Applicants should have an active research agenda in Cuneiform Studies. Ideal candidates will have experience in Digital Humanities and teaching at the University level.

Application materials must be submitted no later than 10:59pm Central Time / 11:59pm Eastern Time on January 31, 2025 through the University of Chicago?s Academic Recruitment site at apply.interfolio.com/160845. Only complete applications can be considered.

•  a two-page cover letter addressing fitness and motivation for the position
•  Curriculum Vitae
• a one-page statement outlining their research agenda
• a one-page teaching statement including courses they would like to offer
•  one writing sample
•  Name and contact information (including email addresses) of three (3) referees from whom letters of recommendation may be requested.

Inquiries can be directed to Sarah Hill ([email protected]) with the subject heading ?Tablet Collection Postdoc.? 

This position is contingent on final budgetary approval.

All University departments and institutes are charged with building a faculty from a diversity of backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints; with cultivating an inclusive community that values freedom of expression; and with welcoming and supporting all their members.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University?s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email [email protected] with their request.

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