Postdoc in Wording Repair: Digitally Unveiling the History of Reparative Justice in the Words of a Forgotten Diary – Utrecht University

Utrecht University is seeking a highly skilled and motivated individual to join the project of Dr. Lorena De Vita as a part-time Postdoctoral Researcher in the field of Digital Humanities.

This position is available for a fixed term of 8 months at 0.4 FTE (full-time equivalent), with a desired starting date of 1 October 2023. The successful candidate will be appointed by Utrecht University.

Would you like to help connect the field of digital humanities to historical research on twentieth-century German history? Then consider joining us for an interdisciplinary research venture! The position is funded by a grant awarded to dr. Lorena De Vita, and will be carried out at the Department of History and Art History at Utrecht University. You will work in a team aiming to digitise, transcribe, and analyse a large corpus of hand-written texts.

This project aims to examine the history of reparations following mass human rights abuses through the utilisation of digital tools. It will analyse the personal diaries of a German jurist who dedicated a significant portion of his professional career to seeking reparations for Holocaust survivors. These diaries, previously inaccessible to researchers, contain meticulous daily notes. By employing and advancing handwritten-character recognition (HCR) technology, the Wording Repair project will provide valuable bottom-up insights that will contribute to the development of the emerging field of historical reparations studies.

As part of our team, your responsibilities will be to:

• conduct original research in the field of Digital Humanities, with a focus on the analysis and interpretation of historical documents written in old German handwriting (Sütterlin);
• employ advanced digital tools and methodologies (Transkribus) to transcribe, analyse, and annotate historical texts, contributing to the development of new approaches in the field;
• collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to advance knowledge and understanding in the field(s) of German History and Digital Humanities;
• collect and curate relevant historical data, ensuring accuracy and quality in data management practices;
• contribute to the dissemination of research findings through academic publications, conference presentations, and other appropriate channels;
• contribute to the supervision and mentorship of junior researchers and students, providing guidance and support in their research activities.