Post Specification

Post Title: Research Fellow- Early Irish Manuscripts Post Status: Fixed term- seven months Department of History of Art and Architecture, School of Department/Faculty: Histories and Humanities Trinity College , the University of Dublin, College Location: Green, Dublin 2, Ireland Reports to: Dr Rachel Moss and Ms Susie Bioletti Appointment will be made at Point (01) of the IUA Level Salary: 2 Post-Doctorate Researcher salary scale i.e. € 37,750 gross per annum Closing Date: 12 noon Monday 30 November, 2015

Please note that the successful applicant must be available to commence in this post on 18 January, 2016

Post Summary

The TCD Gospel Books Post-doctoral Researcher will be a full-time appointment, starting 18 January 2016. The duration of the post is seven months, terminating 18 August 2016. The candidate will be based in the Department of History of Art and Architecture in , working under the direction of the project Academic partner, Dr Rachel Moss and Conservation partner Susie Bioletti in collaboration with the Manuscripts and Archives Research Library. The candidate will hold a doctoral degree in History of Art, Medieval History or closely related subject.

In collaboration with other members of the research group, the Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to the planning and delivery of the research project, including dissemination of research findings through the project blog, preparation of exhibition materials, delivery of conference papers and academic publication. Work will focus on the art historical interpretation of four gospel books, Codex Usserianus Primus (TCD MS 55), the Book of Dimma (TCD MS 59), the Book of Mulling (TCD MS 60) and the Garland of Howth (TCD MS 56) within the broader context of early medieval gospel illumination. The successful candidate will have the ability and willingness to work as part of a research team, an interest in the specific objectives of the project, practical experience in working with medieval manuscripts and historical sources, experience of following and adapting research methodologies, a willingness to systematically collect, and input, project data and excellent communication skills. Some experience of public engagement around historical research would be desirable.

Background to the Post

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The TCD Gospel Books project entails the treatment, technical examination, digitization and art historical study of four of Trinity College Dublin Library’s most important early medieval Irish manuscripts, MS 55 Codex Usserianius Primus, MS 56 The Garland of Howth, MS 59 The Book of Dimma, and MS 60 The Book of Mulling. These, along with the MS 58 Book of Kells, MS 57 the Book of Durrow and MS 52 the Book of Armagh, make up the preeminent collection of early Christian book art in Trinity College Library.

The focus of the project is the stabilizing conservation treatment of Usserianus Primus and the Book of Mulling. The project includes digital imaging of the manuscripts, so that digital copies can be provided for research, as well as pigments analysis using non-destructive techniques. The proposed study of these manuscripts will aim to build on recent significant materials analysis results achieved for the Book of Kells, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Armagh, using micro-Raman spectroscopy. In addition to this body of work, the digital imaging of the Books of Dimma and the Garland of Howth will enable further research into the text, images and production of this distinctive group of early Irish manuscripts. Research findings will inform new exhibitions of the manuscripts, both virtual and physical, and will be shared widely.

The four manuscripts in question are all gospel books produced in Insular scriptoria. The texts of the manuscripts have been the subject of scholarly study in the past, however, all have been relatively overlooked from a codicological and art historical perspective. The Garland of Howth, in particular is almost unknown to art historians. Together with conservation works to stabilize Usserianus Primus and the Book of Mulling, the project will enable researchers to re-address questions around features that distinguish Insular manuscripts in general, and pocket gospels in particular. The results of the analyses have potential to provide considerable new information on the materials used during the early medieval period and the iconographical sources of the manuscripts’ creators. It is expected that a body of information will emerge in which there will be widespread and popular interest and that ongoing work and findings will feed directly into the Library’s display of its collections, and to teaching at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels in the University’s Department of History of Art and Architecture.

Standard duties of the Post

 Conduct collaborative research as part of a project team  Plan and manage own research activity and research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning and delivery of the research project  Work with digital imaging staff in the formulation of metadata  Contribute conference papers and publications relevant to the project  Contribute to the formulation of interpretative materials for public display

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight the main tasks that the post holder will reasonably be expected to undertake.

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Funding Information This post is wholly funded through a Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Award

Person Specification

Qualifications  A doctoral degree in History of Art, Medieval History or closely related subject

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable) Essential  Proven experience in academic research, writing and publication  Good knowledge of Insular and early medieval art history  Good knowledge of paleography and codicology  Excellent communication skills  Ability to work to deadlines  Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable  Experience in cataloguing  Familiarity with the formulation of image metadata  Training and practical experience in applied historical and art historical research

Department Summary

The Department of History of Art and Architecture was established in 1966. Located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity is the ideal place in which to study the history of art, with the National Gallery, the National Museum, the , and the all situated close by, offering students a unique opportunity to study major works of art at first hand. The College itself, with its spectacular range of historic buildings, provides the perfect environment for the study of architectural history, an important component of the varied undergraduate course. Students also benefit from important collections of painting and sculpture held by the College itself, and by the presence of the college's own galleries: the Gallery dedicated to contemporary art, and the , which explores the connections between art and science.

The department has an international reputation for research in several fields of art history. Members of staff have been at the forefront of research into Irish art and architecture, a point recognised with the establishment in 2003 of the Irish Art Research Centre (TRIARC), housed in its own secluded and distinctive building. The department has also made important contributions to research on British, French and Spanish art.

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The teaching programme focuses on Western art from the early middle ages to the twenty-first century. Courses are also taught on non-western art, taking advantage of the major collections at the Chester Beatty Library and at the National Museum of Ireland, both in the vicinity of the College.

As part of the Two Subject Moderatorship (TSM), Art History is studied in parallel to another discipline chosen by the student, from a specific range of subjects. The wide-ranging programme is based around a system of small-group teaching and involves regular study visits both at home and abroad. At postgraduate level the department offers a popular masters course, the M.Phil in Irish Art History. There is also a vibrant group of research students reading for PhDs. The many successful graduates of the department are employed in galleries, publishing houses, art sales, teaching and journalism, as well as in a broad range of administrative, commercial and media-based professions.

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the older universities of Western Europe. On today’s campus, state-of-the-art libraries, laboratories and IT facilities, stand alongside historic buildings on a city-centre 47-acre campus.

Trinity College Dublin offers a unique educational experience across a range of disciplines in the arts, humanities, engineering, science, human, social and health sciences. As Ireland’s premier university, the pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education. TCD has an outstanding record of publications in high-impact journals, and a track record in winning research funding which is among the best in the country.

TCD has developed significant strength in a broad range of research areas including the 18 broadly-based multi-disciplinary thematic research areas listed below.

Sustainable Next Generation Identities in Environment Medical Devices Transformation

Smart and Sustainable Creative Technologies – International Cities Digital Media, Arts and Development Entertainment Cancer Neuroscience Immunology and Infection

Nanoscience Telecommunications Creative Arts Practice

Inclusive Society Mathematics of Intelligent Media and Complexity Human Communication Ageing International Integration Digital Humanities

Genes and Society Making Ireland

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Its current flagship interdisciplinary research institutes are in areas such as biomedical science, arts and humanities, neuroscience, international integration studies, and nanostructures and nanodevices. The construction of Ireland’s first purpose built nanoscience research institute, CRANN, was opened in January 2008, which houses 150 scientists, technicians and graduate students in specialised laboratory facilities.

The building also includes an innovative public venue, the Science Gallery. In 2011, it received the Shorty Award for Best Cultural Institution on Twitter globally and the Irish Web Award for Best Education and Third Level Website. These joined a list of awards that includes European Museum of the Year Award – Special Commendation 2010 and National IT award for best use of technology in education, 2009.

The recently opened Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) is an unprecedented development for Biomedical Research in Ireland, both in terms of scale and ambition. It provides a facility for TCD to continue its upward trajectory in both basic and translational research programmes, notably in the areas of Immunology, Cancer and Medical Devices.

The Library of Trinity College is the largest research library in Ireland and is an invaluable resource to scholars. In addition to purchases and donations accrued over four centuries, the College has had 200 years of legal deposit. By this right Trinity can claim a copy of every book published in Ireland the UK. The Library has over 4.25 million books, 22,000 printed periodical titles and access to 60,000 e-journals and 250,000 e-books. The Library’s research resources also include internationally significant holdings in manuscripts (the most famous being the Book of Kells), early printed material and maps. Its collections and services support the College’s research and teaching community of 15,000+ students and academic staff.

Trinity continues to attract intellectually strong students from Ireland and abroad. More than half of its incoming undergraduates have earned in excess of 500 out of a maximum 600 points in the national Leaving Certificate examination. The accessibility of a Trinity education to all students of ability is also very important. Trinity College was the first university in Ireland to reserve 15% of first year undergraduate places for students from non-traditional learning groups – students with a disability, socio- economically disadvantaged students as well as mature students. The College has met its target in this respect. There is also an exciting international mix of its student body where 16% of students are from outside Ireland and 40% of these students are from outside the European Union. TCD students also have an opportunity to study abroad in other leading European universities through Trinity’s partnership agreements.

Students also benefit from a scholar teacher model where they have the opportunity of being taught by world-leading experts in their field. Interdisciplinarity forms a key element in the College strategy in increasing Trinity’s international standing as a research-led university.

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Many of Trinity College Dublin’s alumni have helped shape the history of Ireland and Western Europe. They include author, Jonathan Swift, philosopher, George Berkeley, political philosopher, Edmund Burke, wit and dramatist, Oscar Wilde, historian, William Lecky, religious scholar, James Ussher, scientists, John Joly, George Johnstone Stoney, William Rowan Hamilton and physicians, William Stokes and Denis Burkitt.

Two of Trinity College’s alumni have won Nobel prizes – Ernest Walton for Physics in 1951 and Samuel Beckett for Literature in 1968. The first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde was a graduate as was the first female President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Trinity College Dublin is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit a cover letter together with a full curriculum vitae to include the names and contact details of 3 referees (email addresses if possible) to Dr Rachel Moss at [email protected]

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