Expressions of interest: Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship in History of Ancient Atomism

Expressions of interest: Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship in History of Ancient Atomism at the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology

Start date: any time during the period from July 2025-May 2026

Duration: 1-2 years.

Kind of employment: Full-time scholarship; under request, the candidate can teach and/or support Dr. Piergiacomi’s courses in the history of philosophy of science.

Deadline for the expression of interest: July 24.

Deadline for Fulbright Program: 16 September.

Eligibility criteria:
• U.S. citizenship (permanent residency is not sufficient);
• Ph.D. awarded no earlier than July 2020;
• Must not have resided outside the United States for five or more consecutive years during the six-year period preceding the application date;
• Must not be an employee or an employee’s relative (i.e., spouse or dependent child) of the U.S. Department of State or any public or private organization under contract with the U.S. Department of State.

Applications are invited for expressions of interest for one (1) postdoctoral fellowship at the Humanities & Arts Department at Technion, Israel Institute of Technology (Haifa, Israel), under the Postdoctoral Fulbright Program. The successful candidate will join the research laboratory directed by Dr. Enrico Piergiacomi and conduct independent and collaborative research under the project Digital Atomism: Democritus and the Democritean Tradition.

The goal of the project is to conduct cutting-edge research on the earliest phase of atomism, namely Leucippus, Democritus, and the Democriteans (including but not limited to key figures like Anaxarchus, Metrodorus of Chios, and Nausiphanes), as well as in its subsequent reception. These thinkers not only laid the groundwork for the atomistic theories of Epicurus and Lucretius, but also served as a source of inspiration for corpuscular theories espoused by influential figures such as Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, and Pierre Gassendi. Their ideas also exerted a pervasive influence on various seemingly disparate intellectual strands, including scepticism (exemplified by Pyrrho and Sextus Empiricus), alchemy, libertinism, and even Marxism.

Additionally, the project seeks to create a digital platform that will host a new collection of evidence on the ancient atomists and edit/translate texts of the Renaissance/early modern period that were directly influenced by these thinkers. An example is Giovanni Magneno’s Democritus reviviscens sive de atomis (Paris 1646). A list of desirable texts to be studied can be provided in advance.

The research focus is open, insofar as it is established a clear connection between ancient atomism and the candidate’s area of interest. Broadly conceived, the successful candidates will foster interdisciplinary collaborations that link the humanities to science and technology. Preferences will be given to students/scholars who have a good command of Greek and Latin, as well as who can work on both the ancient period and the Renaissance/early modern period.

The ability and desire to conduct independent research are essential. A publication record in a pertinent field is highly desirable.

Stipend: $95,000 ($47,500 per academic year), plus travel and relocation allowance up to $1,700, (U.S. – Israel, under the Fly America act) for Fulbright fellows (and spouses).

The application for the expression of interest (in English) should include:
• CV, including a list of publications (up to 6 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins);
• One writing sample;
• A research proposal (2-3 pages, bibliography excluded – see below);
• Names and contact details of two expert referees (actual letters will be requested only from shortlisted candidates; up to 3 pages, preferably on letterhead and signed).
The winner of the selection process will then have to submit through the Fulbright site the following application material:
• CV and list of publications as described above;
• Two letters of recommendation as described above;
• One short essay explaining why you chose to apply to the Technion (2000 characters), your career trajectory (1500 characters), and your familiarity with the host culture (2000 characters);
• A separate reference list on the project that you will submit (up to 3 pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins).

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Please send applications by July 24 to Enrico Piergiacomi (enrico.p@technion.ac.il) with CC to Anat Glass (anatg@technion.ac). Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview near the end of July. Their referees will be requested to submit the recommendations by that time.

Candidates who are not selected might be invited to visit the Technion for 2 to 12 months. Informal inquiries can be sent directly to enrico.p@technion.ac.il. Information on the Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship program can be found here