Overview
The Research and Innovation Associate will assist in the research and publication of two major books on the twentieth-century poet Elizabeth Bishop: a trade book of her picture postcards for Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and a scholarly book, provisionally titled An Art of Looks: Elizabeth Bishop and Visual Culture, for Harvard University Press. Alongside these book publications, there will be the opportunity to help organise two new exhibitions of Bishop’s postcards in Paris and Sheffield, as well as an international symposium on Poets and Postcards at the Sorbonne.
The appointment is funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Catalyst Award for the project “An Art of Looks: Elizabeth Bishop and Visual Culture.” The Research and Innovation Associate appointed will become part of a large interdisciplinary, international team, comprising two project leads, and eleven advisory board members.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
* Assist the project team to contextualise and transcribe Elizabeth Bishop’s postcards and other visual material, including photographs and paintings.
* Liaise with archivists at various institutions to supply high-resolution images for book reproduction.
* Manage data collection and storage on a day-to-day basis.
* Acquire editorial knowledge of literary and visual arts publishing.
* Liaise closely with other academics, advisers and administrators relevant to the project.
* Assist the project team in developing new interdisciplinary methodologies.
* Undertake archival training provided by the Smithsonian Museum and an online Heritage Interpretation course run by GEM (Group for Education in Museums).
* Assist in the curation of two international exhibitions of Elizabeth Bishop’s Postcards.
* Assist with the organization of an international symposium on Poets and Postcards at the Sorbonne Libraries, Paris.
* Assist in the organization of creative writing workshops taking part as part of the symposium that combine image and text.
* Read and review primary and secondary material as appropriate.
* Assist in the establishment of a project website, blog, and social media presence.
* Contribute to conference presentations and workshops, as well as assisting in the running of them.
* Attend regular project team catch-ups and bi-annual advisory board meetings.
* Support project reporting requirements, for example in relation to research project progress, finance, etc.
* Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Essential
* PhD (or equivalent experience) in twentieth-century poetry and/or modern/contemporary visual arts
* High degree of accuracy and consistency in a research context
* Ability to assess, organise and plan activities and deliver to specific deadlines
* Ability to undertake the research and development necessary to achieve the aims of the project
* Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
* Experience of archival research and transcription
* Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues and others in the University and beyond
* Ability to work independently and seek guidance where appropriate
* Publications upon or in a field related to twentieth-century poetry and/or modern/contemporary visual culture.
* Desirable
* Experience of exhibition curation and/or organisation of conferences and creative writing workshops.
Further Information
Grade: 7
Salary: £38,784 pro rata
Work arrangement: Part Time - 0.5FTE
Duration: 24 months
Line manager: Dr Jonathan Ellis, School of English
Direct reports: None
Our website: School of English
For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Jonathan Ellis, Reader in American Literature and Project Lead: on j.s.ellis@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process: It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 13 October. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage the week commencing 29 September 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Fiona Thring on f.thring@sheffield.ac.uk.
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