Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Digital Humanities Postdoctoral Research Associate in African Language Technologies

The Center for Digital Humanities (CDH) and the African Humanities Colloquium at Princeton University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate, or more senior researcher, in African Language Technologies.  

We seek an innovative, multidisciplinary scholar to join the Princeton community and contribute to data-driven and computational humanities initiatives on campus. The scholar will spend 50% of their time on their own digital humanities research project. During the other 50% of their time, they will participate in a new multidisciplinary initiative to create data and tools for machine learning for African languages. Candidates with a background in linguistics, natural language processing, and/or computational humanities, and competence in at least one African language, are encouraged to apply. Scholars will be embedded in the CDH and will have the chance to participate in Center initiatives and activities - such as colloquia, discussion groups, and events - that align with their skills and interests.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate may have the option to teach one or two courses per year during their appointment, subject to sufficient enrollments and with the approval of the Dean of the Faculty. If teaching, they will carry the additional title of Lecturer, and their project-related responsibilities will be reduced accordingly.

A successful candidate must show expertise in their disciplinary field, have a broad knowledge of the methods, tools, and trends in digital humanities, and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of how the emergence of new technologies intersects with humanistic inquiry. Promising candidates must show commitment to teaching, and must have skill and interest in supporting students and colleagues in computational or data-intensive humanities work. They must have the ability to work collaboratively, and have excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. 

The term is anticipated to start on or about July 2023. Appointments are for one year with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. This appointment will be processed through the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS).


Candidates should have or expect to have a Ph.D. by the start date. Untenured scholars with fewer than four years of postdoctoral experience are eligible to apply.

Please contact cdh-info@princeton.edu with any questions about this position.

Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/29802 

Applications submitted by May 7, 2023 will receive priority. All applications should include: (1) a cover letter; (2) the title and summary (200 words) of your proposed independent digital humanities research project; (3) a curriculum vitae; (4) a sample syllabus for an undergraduate data-driven or computational humanities course in your field; and (5) three letters of reference. This position is subject to the University's background check policy.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.


Requisition No: D-23-LIB-00010