The Association intends to make up to three research awards of £16,500 for the academic session 2008–09. These awards will not be made to individuals as such, but to established corporate projects such as dictionaries, textual editions, bibliographies, or other major scholarly enterprises, within the field of medieval and modern European languages and literatures. The awards are designed to hasten the completion of projects of special importance through the provision of part time research assistance. The awards will normally be for one year only, but applications will be considered from projects which have previously held an Associateship.
An award will be made solely for the employment of a researcher, normally
post-doctoral, to be selected and appointed by the project in consultation
with the Association, and bearing the title of ‘MHRA Research Associate’.
Since another important aim of the awards is to provide an interim academic
position to younger scholars who have not yet obtained a permanent academic
post, the appointment should not exclude a limited amount of remunerated teaching
in the host institution, or other approved work. The final details of the
contract will be agreed between the MHRA and the institution concerned.
The Modern Humanities Research Association exists to encourage and promote
advanced study and research in the field of the medieval and modern European
languages and literatures. English and the Slavonic languages are included
in this definition. History, library studies, education and pedagogical subjects,
and the medical application of linguistics, are excluded.
Seven copies of applications for awards should be made by
directors of established projects only to Professor David
Gillespie, Honorary Secretary, Modern Humanities Research Association, Department
of European Studies and Modern Languages, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY,
to arrive not later than 31 January 2008. A full description of the project,
and of the planned role of the Research Associate, should be supplied, together
with an indication of any external funding already received and of the availability
of part-time teaching. It is important that the application clearly states
the intended role of the Research Associate. Applicants should arrange for
up to two independent referees to supply references in support
of their projects, and for the references to be sent direct to the Honorary
Secretary, MHRA, at the address indicated, before the closing date. There
is no special application form. The Association may require the directors
of the successful project or projects to advertise for the Research Associate
and to interview suitable applicants. It is assumed that the whole sum awarded
will be devoted to the Associateship, after allowance for salary overheads
such as the employer's share of National Insurance contributions, and that
the host institution will bear the cost of any further overheads which may
be deemed necessary. In the event of the Research Associate being appointed
to a full-time position, whether of an academic nature or otherwise, during
the tenure of the Associateship, the Project Director undertakes forthwith
to refund the Association in respect of the period from which the employment
commences.
Applications should be made on A4 paper using one side of the page only. Applications will not be accepted by fax or by electronic media. It is not envisaged that the Associateships will be used as a pump-priming exercise, and applications will not be considered from the directors of projects which have not yet been established, nor from prospective Research Associates on their own behalf, nor from individual scholars seeking a personal research assistant. Applications are welcomed from those who have applied for MHRA Research Associateships on previous occasions, whether successfully or otherwise. Applications must include a clear statement of all previous funding received, with a list of dates, sources and sums awarded.
Further enquiries should be directed to the Honorary Secretary at the address
below, or by telephone (01225-385404) or email (d.c.gillespie@bath.ac.uk):
Professor David Gillespie
Honorary Secretary
Modern Humanities Research Association
Department of European Studies and Modern Languages,
University of Bath,
Bath BA2 7AY