UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
DEPARTMENT OF CLASSICS AND PHILOSOPHY

Special Scientist (PhD Studentship)
Title: Special Scientist (Assistant Researcher)
No. of Position(s): One (1)
Category: 1 year contract (with possibility of renewal until the end of the 4-year PhD Studies)
Location: Department of Classics and Philolosophy, University of Cyprus, Nicosia

The ERC Starting Grant project GROUPMINDS of the Department of Classics and Philosophy, University of Cyprus (UCY), announces one full-time 4-year PhD studentship position with highly competetive salary available from October 2024. The research programme GROUPMINDS, acronym for “Group Minds in Ancient Narrative”, is funded by the European Union in the frame of the ERC (European Research Council) Starting Grants (GA no. 101115022). The project is coordinated by its Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor, Dr Chrysanthos S. Chrysanthou.

The project’s overall objective is to build a bridge between narrative theory and the phenomenological experience of cognition as socially extended and distributed among a set of individuals, in order to give new answers as to the fundamental question of narrative’s function in humans’ understanding of the social world. Ancient literature offers precious material for such an approach. The research hypothesis is that Greek and Latin narratives thematise processes of group cognition in ways hitherto undetected, and that a detailed analysis of these processes offers new insights over the way narrative cognitively affects both reading experience and real-life experience of intersubjectivity. In order to be able to test this hypothesis, the project adopts an interdisciplinary methodology that brings together structuralist narratology, cognitive narrative studies, and research on social cognition in philosophy, psychology, and the cognitive sciences. It envisages the following objectives: (1) to analyse the techniques by which group minds and intermentality are narrativised, and thus offer the first narratology of collectives; (2) to investigate the cognitive responses which are evoked in the audiences during story reading; and (3) to illuminate the ways and extent that thinking about collective narrative minds feeds into thinking about human minds, cognitive interaction, and intersubjectivity in the real (contemporary) world.

QUALIFICATIONS
The candidate is expected to be a highly-motivated individual with the capability to work in a multidisciplinary research environment, eager to be actively engaged in the demanding activities of this large-scale, European-funded research project and collaborate efficiently with the Principal Investigator and the other researchers of GROUPMINDS. A background in cognitive narrative studies, narratology or literary theory will be considered as an advantage.
1. Degree in classics or related fields
2. Masters in classics or related fields
3. Excellent knowledge of both ancient Greek and Latin
4. Excellent knowledge of the English language both verbal and written
5. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Optional, but will be considered as an advantage, any of the following:
1. Expertise or strong interest in the ancient Greek and/or Latin novel

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for an engaged individual with expertise in ancient Greek and/or Latin literature to examine the narrative performance of couples and other groups, including the way(s) in which the reader is drawn to construct mental images of characters as situated within the webs of their interpersonal relationships, in ancient Greek and/or Latin novels.
Comparisons with historiography are suggestive of whether the fictional or factual status of a work influences its construction/reception of consciousness. Moreover, the study of the ancient Greek and/or Latin novel offers a historical perspective to those interested in the novels of later periods.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS
Special Scientist positions are offered on a 12-month contract basis with the possibility for extension for the 4-year foreseen duration of the PhD studies. Employment should begin in October 2024.The monthly gross salary for full time employment (140 hrs/month) is equal to €1700 to €1900 (according to qualifications and previous experience). From this amount employee contributions to the various Government Funds will be deducted. The position allows for an additional grant of up to €2000/year for travel or other research expenses.
The position does not include a 13th salary bonus. The successful candidate will be registered for Ph.D. in the Department of Classics and Philosophy of the University of Cyprus and enjoy all benefits of this status.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit by Friday, 24th November 2023 the following items as a single PDF file, via e-mail to chrysanthou.s.chrysanthos@ucy.ac.cy with subject title “GROUPMINDS PhD_NOVEL_APPLICATION”:
(1) Letter of motivation (maximum 1 page with a minimum of 10pt font size)
(2) CV indicating the applicant’s education
(3) List of publications (if any)
(4) 1 Sample of Work (it can be either a published article/chapter or unpublished essay or part of postgraduate dissertation, maximum 10000 words including references and bibliography)
(5) Research proposal (maximum 2 pages with a minimum of 11pt font size, conforming to the details given above in “duties and responsibilities”)
(6) Contact details of at least two referees
(7) Copies of degrees and transcripts

THE PROCESS
The best three candidates that satisfy the required qualifications will be interviewed by a 3-member Committee. Candidates shall be informed of the result of their application by the relevant entity.
The University of Cyprus shall collect and process your personal data according to the provisions of the General Regulation on Personal Data 2016/679 (EU).
The University of Cyprus (UCY) is committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equality, as well as the elimination of all forms of discrimination in order to provide a fair, safe, and pleasant environment for the entire university community, where students and staff members will feel supported both in their professional and personal development, within and beyond their multiple identities. To this end, UCY seeks to create the necessary conditions that will encourage and respect diversity and ensure dignity both in the workplace and society at large. Moreover, UCY has adopted specific policies to promote equal opportunities, as well as respect and understanding of diversity, while it is committed to promoting and maintaining a working, teaching, and learning environment, free from any form of discrimination, whether direct or indirect.
For more information please contact: Dr Chrysanthos S. Chrysanthou (Assistant Professor of Ancient Greek Literature, chrysanthou.s.chrysanthos@ucy.ac.cy)