Research Assistant II (Non-Lab), Heroic Epic Project

About the role

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University, home to Harvard’s undergraduate program and all of Harvard’s Ph.D. programs, as well as Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education.

This role involves locating and collecting relevant data in the Milman Parry Collection of Oral Literature and other folklore resources in the Harvard library system, working under the guidance of Prof. Joseph Nagy for his Heroic Epic Project.

Responsibilities

• Transcribe oral performances and recordings of relevant epic texts from archival audio sources available in the Parry Collection, including any "side" comments made by the singers, and comments made or questions posed by the collectors and assistants.
• Translate source materials from Serbo-Croatian and related dialects into English, applying anthropological and folkloristic standards for translation of materials collected in fieldwork.
• Provide necessary social and cultural contextualization of transcriptions/translation, and contribute to comparative analysis of epic, ballad, and oral narrative traditions by noting any relevant ATU tale-type numbers and motifs as listed in the Motif-Index of Folk Literature.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications include a college background in Anthropology, Folklore, or related research, and two years of relevant work experience.

• Writing and reading knowledge of Serbo-Croatian language and dialects is highly preferred.
• Masters or PhD in Anthropology or Folklore is preferred.
• Familiarity with the holdings of the Parry Collection is preferred.

Working Conditions

Research takes place in the libraries of Harvard University.

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes generous paid time off, medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage, retirement plans, wellbeing and mental health resources, support for families and caregivers, professional development opportunities, and commuter benefits.

Pay and Schedule

This is a part-time, 6-month term position with a possibility of renewal based on available funds, working 17.5 hours per week. The position is salary grade level 053, with a corresponding salary range available on Harvard's Salary Ranges page.