Project Summary
The project Translation as a Philosophical Lens on German-Jewish Thought (PHIL- TRAGEN) reconceptualizes translation as a central philosophical practice shaping German-Jewish intellectual history over two centuries. Rather than limiting attention to biblical translation, it explores translation as a cultural and political border phenomenon – mediating identity, belonging, and community. Special emphasis is placed on the neglected contributions of women translators, framing translation as both intellectual resistance and empowerment by “the minority of a minority”. Through an interdisciplinary methodology (philosophy, cultural history, gender studies, archival research), the project develops five work packages: (1) the philosophy of translation in German-Jewish thought, (2) gendered dimensions, (3) translation and identity/assimilation, (4) pedagogical and political roles, and (5) translation under extreme conditions such as Nazi concentration camps. Outputs include scholarly publications, digital databases, educational toolkits, and public exhibitions, with the aim of advancing both philosophical debates and contemporary reflections on identity, memory, and resistance.
The ERC project seeks to appoint one post-doctoral researcher with a strong profile in Holocaust studies and translation theory.
The post-doctoral position focuses on translation during the Holocaust. The post-doctoral researcher will examine translation as a practice of survival, communication, and identity under conditions of persecution and violence, drawing on archival materials, testimonies, and multilingual sources. A strong background in Holocaust studies, modern Jewish history, or philosophy is required. The successful candidate will be expected to work with multilingual archival sources, primarily in German and English, and also in Hebrew, Polish, and, where possible, Yiddish. Experience with archival research is essential, and familiarity with digital databases or interactive content development is an asset. This position contributes to the project’s ethical, historical, and methodological core. The post-doctoral researcher is expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals, contribute to collective outputs, and actively participate in project events and dissemination activities.
Main Duties
• Conduct independent, high-level research aligned with the objectives and work packages of the ERC project, with a focus on translation and the Holocaust.
• Carry out archival research at the Archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and other relevant archives, including the collection and analysis of documents and testimonies related to translation and multilingual mediation during the Holocaust.
• Contribute to the development and enrichment of the project database through the identification, classification, and analysis of archival sources.
• Produce high-quality scholarly outputs and participate actively in the intellectual, organisational, and dissemination activities of the project.
Contract Type: Part time (20 Hours per Week) for 1 year
Work Location: Barcelona
Start Date: 01/07/2026
Contract remuneration: approximately € 20.952,62 gross annual
Estimated duration: This contract is expected to run for one year, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027
Project and institution that finance the contract
European project ERC Research Project CoG PHIL-TRAGEN: Translation as a Philosophical Lens on German-Jewish Thought. Official number reference: (101230032)
Eligibility
• A PhD awarded by the contract start date in comparative literature, Jewish studies, intellectual history, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in Holocaust studies, modern Jewish history and translation studies.
• Proven ability to conduct independent, high-quality research, as evidenced by publications and/or advanced research outputs appropriate to career stage.
• Excellent command of German and English, knowledge of Hebrew, Yiddish and/or Polish is highly desirable.
• Not have been dismissed through disciplinary proceedings from the service of any public administration, nor be disqualified by final judgment for the exercise of public functions. In the case of being a national of another State, not be disqualified or in an equivalent situation, nor have been subject to disciplinary sanction or equivalent that prevents, in their State, access to public employment under the same terms. These participation requirements must be met on the last day of the application submission deadline, must be credibly accredited at any time during the selection process, and must continue to be met on the contract signing date.
Selection Criteria
• Research excellence, assessed on the basis of the candidate’s scholarly profile and publications (50%).
• Quality, originality, and coherence of past and ongoing research in relation to the project’s objectives (30%).
• Fit between the candidate’s expertise and the specific research tasks of the ERC project (20%).
The minimum score required to pass the selection process is 80 points. The Selection Committee may, if deemed necessary for the purposes of assessment, invite candidates to an interview or contact referees in order to clarify specific aspects of the candidate’s profile or curriculum vitae. However, where the documentation submitted allows for a sufficiently comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s merits, suitability, and alignment with the requirements of the position, the Committee reserves the right to complete the assessment without conducting an interview.
Selection Committee
The operation of the selection committees will be adjusted to the Regulations on the remote functioning of the sessions of the collegiate bodies of Pompeu Fabra University (Agreement of the Governing Council of December 9, 2020), always holding synchronous sessions. For matters not provided for in these regulations, Law 26/2010, of August 3, on the legal regime and procedure of the public administrations of Catalonia, will apply, without prejudice to the basic rules established in Article 17 of Law 40/2015, of October 1, on the legal regime of the Public Sector. In sessions where candidates must participate, the physical presence of the candidates and, at least, the Secretary of the Committee will be ensured. In the event that a candidate accredits residence outside of Catalonia or justified circumstances prevent their physical presence, they may request the Secretary of the Committee for remote participation. The Secretary may admit this, provided it does not affect the equal participation of the candidates in the performance of the tests and the assessments to be carried out by the Committee.
The Selection Committee will conduct interviews with shortlisted candidates as part of the selection process.During the interview, candidates’ proficiency in the required working languages will be assessed.
The Selection Committee will be composed of: PRESIDENT: Libera Pisano (UPF) (substitute: Santiago Zabala, UPF), MEMBER: Antonino Firenze (UPF) (substitute: Daniel Esparza, UPF), SECRETARY: José María Sánchez de Léon Serrano (UB) (substitute: Michela Torbidoni, University of Göttingen).
Processing Unit Humanities Management and Administration Unit
Application Materials
• Curriculum vitae, including a full list of publications.
• Cover letter outlining research interests, motivation, and relevance to the specific post-doctoral position applied for.
• Up to three representative publications or writing samples.
• Contact details of three academic referees.
• Photocopy of DNI/NIE/Passport
• Copy of the Doctoral degree (PhD)
Deadline for Submitting Applications
The deadline for submitting applications is 15calendar days from the day following the publication of the call on the Pompeu Fabra University website https://www.upf.edu/web/humanitats/convocatories-obertes
Applications are submitted through the Interfolio Platform, at the address that will be published on the Pompeu Fabra University website when the call is made public.
Publication of Administrative Acts of this Selection Process
All administrative acts of this selection procedure will be published on the Pompeu Fabra University website (https://www.upf.edu/web/humanitats/convocatories-obertes) and this publication will have the effects of notification, in accordance with Article 45.1.b) of Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations. Once the call has been made public, the approximate publication dates of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates will be published on this same website. Following the publication of the provisional list of admitted and excluded candidates, a period of 5 calendar days for submitting appeals opens, counting from the day following the date of publication of this provisional list. This list will become definitive if no appeals are presented after the established deadline. An appeal may be filed against the definitive resolution of admitted and excluded candidates, which exhausts the administrative process, before the social courts of Barcelona within two months from the day following the publication of this resolution on the Pompeu Fabra University website. The approximate publication dates of the Selection Committee's provision proposal and the award resolution of the Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Staff will be published on this same website.
Provision Proposal
Following the publication of the Selection Committee’s provision proposal, a period of 3 calendar days for submitting appeals opens, counting from the day following the date of publication of this provision proposal.
Award Resolution
The selection process will end with the award resolution of the Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Staff. An appeal may be filed against the award resolution of the Vice-Rector for Academic and Research Staff before the social courts of Barcelona within two months from the day following the publication of this resolution on the Pompeu Fabra University website. In the case of non-EU nationality, the formalization of the contract will be subject to obtaining the corresponding residence and work authorization
UPF promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.
