Application deadline: 15 August 2026 Midnight, Central European Summer Time
The École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL-University in Paris, France, is inviting candidates for a Post-Doctoral/Research Engineer position in the field of Hebrew Paleography and Manuscript Studies. The successful candidate will join the team led by Professor Judith Olszowy-Schlanger in the framework of the ERC Synergy project MiDRASH (Migrations of Textual and Scribal Traditions via Large-Scale Computational Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts in Hebrew Script). The candidates will work on the implementation of the palaeographical annotations of the digital Hebrew Paleography Album (HebrewPal) (https://www.hebrewpaleography.com/) and contribute to a collective monograph on the methodology of Hebrew Palaeography. They will attend one weekly research seminar at the EPHE, PSL, Paris and attend regular MiDRASH project meetings and conferences. They will be affiliated with the research cluster EA 4116 – SAPRAT-Savoirs et pratiques du Moyen Âge à l’époque contemporaine (https://www.saprat.fr/).
Founded in 1868, EPHE, PSL is a leading French institute of advanced studies. Its Humanities’ sections include ancient and medieval Jewish Studies. The EPHE is a pioneer and a leader in the fields of Hebrew paleography and codicology.
ERC-Synergy programme MiDRASH is composed of four teams led respectively by Daniel Stökl Ben Ezra (EPHE, PSL), Judith Olszowy-Schlanger (EPHE, PSL/Oxford), Nachum Dershowitz (Tel Aviv-University), Avi Shmidman (Bar Ilan University), in collaboration with the National Library of Israel and Haifa University. Its overall aim is to advance our understanding of the literary, textual and manuscript production processes in Ancient and Medieval Judaism by applying computational methods to transcribe and analyse thousands of medieval Hebrew manuscripts. For a brief presentation of the project please check https://escripta.hypotheses.org/500
Length
1 years with the possibility of extending for further 1 year.
Place
Paris, France. The researchers will benefit from shared MiDRASH office space at the Campus Condorcet. They are expected to be physically present in the office for at least one day a week.
Grant amount
Conditions of remuneration for post-doctoral researchers by the decree of 4 November 2021, which can be consulted at: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000044293348 – for research engineers according to experience.
Start date
1 October 2026
Qualifications
Essential qualifications:
PhD (doctorate) in Hebrew / Jewish studies of the medieval period (to be completed before the start of the position)
Required competencies:
– Excellent knowledge of Hebrew
– Excellent writing skills in English and preferably knowledge of French
– Some experience with / knowledge of databases
– Excellent organisation and sense of responsibility
– Capacity to work in a team
– Previous experience in working with medieval Hebrew manuscripts
How to apply and Selection Process
Send (as a single PDF file with your name and MiDRASH) the following documents:
– Covering motivation letter (1 page maximum)
– List of publications (if any)
– Official proof of a doctoral degree
– Sample of a written work (c. 15 pages)
– Two letters of recommendation from senior academic figures in the field of medieval Jewish Studies
To: Judith Olszowy-Schlanger at the address: judith.schlanger@ephe.sorbonne.fr and to Athina Boleti at the address: athina.boleti@ephe.psl.eu by 15 August 2026 Midnight, Central European Summer Time at the latest.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview (in person or by Zoom) in September 2026.
Contact
For further information, please contact Judith Schlanger, judith.schlanger@ephe.sorbonne.fr