Curious Cures in Cambridge Libraries is a two-year project funded by the Wellcome Trust that will make approximately 8,000 unedited medical recipes in over 180 medieval manuscripts discoverable to researchers worldwide. We are looking for three Project cataloguers (two full time, one part time) to work to develop a groundbreaking resource that will transform the ability of health researchers and historians to access and analyse a corpus of texts that document and reveal the daily practice of medicine in the medieval period. The Project cataloguers will situate the manuscripts in their intellectual, cultural and material contexts through the preparation of detailed catalogue descriptions and transcriptions, which will accompany cover-to-cover digitisation.
The project will be led by and based at Cambridge University Library, capitalising on the Library’s world-class infrastructure and expertise, and building on the success of recent large-scale cross-collection digitisation projects.
Three Project Cataloguer posts are available (two full-time, one part tim e), with responsibility for researching, cataloguing and transcribing manuscripts at Cambridge University Library, the Fitzwilliam Museum and twelve college libraries in Cambridge. They will produce catalogue descriptions in TEI format and following guidelines drawn up in collaboration with the Bodleian Library ( https://msdesc.github.io/consolidated-tei-schema/msdesc.html), and prepare them for publication on the Cambridge Digital Library ( https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/). The Project Cataloguers will use Transkribus ( https://readcoop.eu/transkribus/)to produce hyperdiplomatic transcriptions of the recipe texts in TEI/XML. There will also be the opportunity to experiment with Transkribus’s Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) capabilities for selected manuscripts. In addition, the Project Cataloguers will be responsible for disseminating project results via a range of outreach initiatives.
Applicants should hold a post-graduate qualification in a relevant field, preferably a doctorate, and have a proven ability to read and catalogue manuscripts in Latin and Middle English. Knowledge of palaeography and codicology is essential. Research skills in the History of Science or Medicine and familiarity with medieval recipes and medical culture would be an advantage. Applicants must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, IT skills, and have the ability to work both on their own and as part of a team. Experience in using TEI to create catalogue records would be an advantage, though training in TEI, XML and Transkribus will be provided.
We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part-time working or other flexible working arrangements.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from a BAME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our institution.
To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit:
http://www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/32395.
Informal enquiries are welcomed by Dr James Freeman, Principal Investigator and Medieval Manuscripts Specialist, 01223 333140, e-mail: jaf50@cam.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is 2nd January 2022.
These posts are available from March 2022 for two years from the date of appointment. Working patterns for the full time and part time positions can be discussed at interview stage.
Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 17th January 2022.
Please quote reference VE29025 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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