Alchemies of Scent – Reconstructing the Practices of Ancient Greco-Egyptian Perfumery: An Experimental Approach to the History of Science is a new, 5-year interdisciplinary research project that seeks to deepen our understanding of our olfactory heritage and of the connections between art and science in the ancient world. Over the next five years, the project’s team of historians, Egyptologists, philologists and organic chemists will experimentally replicate the recipes of five Greco-Egyptian perfumes.

As part of this new initiative, a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Egyptology beginning October 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter is being offered. Scholars who will submit their PhD no later than 1 October 2021 are eligible to apply.

The successful candidate will be part of a novel interdisciplinary team working together to produce a historical and lexical survey of the ingredients and methods of the art and science of perfume production in Greco-Roman Egypt, and to replicate, test and analyze the techniques of ancient perfumery in a controlled laboratory setting. The candidate will focus on perfumery in Egyptian sources (hieroglyphs, Hieratic, Demotic), in particular on documentary, medical and magical papyri of the relevant period(s).

The position offers an opportunity to be part of ground-breaking research applying philosophical, philological, historical, and contemporary scientific methods (organic chemistry and experimental replication of ancient recipes), as well as offering creative opportunities for digital research dissemination and outreach. The Postdoctoral Fellow will work closely with other team members from the fields of the history and philosophy of science, classics, Egyptology, archaeology, organic and bio-chemistry, botany, and olfactory and sensory history. She / he will participate in the project’s colloquium, workshops, and its other activities and is expected to contribute to the project’s collaborative outputs and produce project-related publications.

Outstanding candidates will be invited for an online interview and informal meetings, which will take place during August and September 2021.

Candidates must have:

-Proven academic excellence

-Excellent skills in relevant Egyptian languages and scripts (e.g., hieroglyphs, Hieratic, Demotic, Coptic is an advantage)

-Proven experience in studying ancient documentary and medical papyri (previous work with inscriptions is an advantage)

-Ability to participate in academic discussions in English

-An interest and ability to work in a team

Ideal candidates will have:

-Interest in integrating experimental replications into her / his research

-Familiarity with archaeological and archaeometric methods and techniques (GC/MS, XRF) related to perfume (spices, oils, production facilities, endemic flora)

-Familiarity with methods of perfume production in Egypt

-Familiarity with the social context of perfumery and scented oils (seven sacred oils, mummification, offerings, festivals, everyday life)

-Knowledge of trade relationships between Egypt and other regions

-Knowledge of Egyptian medicine

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents (in one PDF file):

-Introduction Letter describing your academic experience and motivation for participating in the project (not more than 2 pages)

-Curriculum vitae

-Research Proposal (2–5 pages)

-Abstract of the PhD dissertation

-A Writing Sample: dissertation chapter or a paper that has been published or accepted for publication (no more than 30 pages)

Please send the requested materials electronically in one PDF file by 14 September 2021 to Ms. Mai Havrdová Fathi at havrdova (at) flu.cas.cz.

In addition, please arrange for up to two Letters of Reference addressed to Search Committee, Alchemies of Scent, Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences and sent directly to havrdova (at) flu.cas.cz.

For additional information about the position, the project, the application procedure, The Czech Academy of Sciences, and life in Prague, please contact havrdova (at) flu.cas.cz.

For details please visit https://www.alchemiesofscent.org/postdoctoral-fellowship-in-egyptology