Research Associate (Ingénieur d’études) – Latin Palimpsests (ERC PALAI), CNRS / Centre Léon Robin, Paris
The Centre Léon Robin (UMR 8061, CNRS / Sorbonne Université) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month position as Research Associate (CNRS grade: Ingénieur d’études) within the ERC Consolidator Grant project PALAI (PI: Victor Gysembergh).
Start date: 1 January 2027
Duration: 12 months, full-time
Location: Paris (5e)
Required degree: PhD
Salary: EUR 2,572–3,817 gross per month, depending on experience; 44 days of annual leave
Application deadline: 22 October 2026
The successful candidate will contribute to the decipherment and edition of the so-called „Autun Gaius“ palimpsest, the codex unicus of a Latin legal commentary from Late Antiquity. The standard edition was established without the benefit of modern imaging; the multispectral images of the manuscript already captured by the PALAI team offer the prospect of a significantly improved text. The post-holder will also take part in the study of other palimpsests in the project’s corpus.
Main activities:
– decipherment and transcription of the lower text of the Autun Gaius from processed multispectral images; contribution to its critical edition and translation
– participation in the study of other palimpsests within PALAI
– contribution to imaging campaigns
– publication of results (articles, conference papers)
– liaison with holding institutions (in particular the Bibliothèque patrimoniale d’Autun) and project members
– documentation and management of research data
Required: excellent Latin; good knowledge of Ancient Greek; training in Latin palaeography (Late Antique and early medieval scripts).
Desirable: experience in deciphering palimpsests; good knowledge of Roman law.
PALAI (ERC, 2026–2030) develops multispectral and synchrotron imaging methods for the non-invasive reading of palimpsests and damaged manuscripts. The team’s work has led to the recovery of remains of Hipparchus‘ star catalogue, Ptolemy’s Treatise on the Meteoroscope and the so-called „New Apuleius“.
Applications must be submitted via the CNRS job portal (reference UMR8061-VICGYS-013):
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR8061-VICGYS-013/Default.aspx?lang=EN
Contact: victor.gysembergh@cnrs.fr
Victor Gysembergh
Directeur de recherches au CNRS
Responsable scientifique du programme « Palimpsestes et imagerie multispectrale » et du projet ERC PALAI
Centre Léon Robin de recherches sur la pensée antique (UMR 8061)
Sorbonne Université
1 rue Victor Cousin
75230 Paris Cedex 05
Tél.: 06 03 48 29 76