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Job Details

Digital Humanities Project Assistant: Dura-Europos Archive
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Job ID	17331
Employer	Library - (Research Services & Collections)
Employer Type	On Campus
Category	Computer/Technical (Non-Web)
Job Type	On-Campus Jobs
Job Description	ABOUT THE PROJECT: The International (Digital) Dura-Europos Archive (IDEA) is a major Digital Humanities initiative funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Council of Learned Societies, and aimed at digitally re-integrating dispersed collections and discipline-specific knowledge related to the important cultural heritage site of Dura-Europos (Syria). IDEA is currently developing digital archival methods and content to improve the intelligibility and accessibility of archaeological knowledge related to a specific site for global scholars and the general public. This work advances a practical conversation about how to make most ethical use of technology to enhance multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural data-sharing and reuse for the (global) public good. ABOUT THE JOB: In consultation with the IDEA project directors, project assistants will take leadership on archival research related to a body of Durene material. Assistants will work as part of a team to learn to contribute the products of their research into the open knowledge ecosystem that drives IDEA’s access and inclusion efforts. (Students need no technical experience and will be trained by the IDEA team.) Depending upon the strengths and existing skill sets of the successful candidate, the IDEA assistant may: Assist with the data-modeling and metadata enrichment of archival photograph, building, and artifact records from Dura-Europos in Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and the Pleiades Gazetteer Assist with data-collection, translation, and/or digital publication related to inscriptions/graffiti from Dura-Europos Project assistants will benefit from a number of opportunities over the course of their work: Experience with Linked Open Data (LOD) methods; LOD is the emerging best practice in data management for galleries, libraries, archives, and museum (GLAM) collections. Students considering GLAM career paths would be especially well-served by the opportunity. Professional networking with an international team of experts (epigraphers; archaeologists; Classicists; experts in community outreach and oral history) Publication and conference presentation opportunities Students with an interest in ancient languages can opt to be trained in XML and Epidoc, the core methods for digitization of inscriptons/texts Archival research experience and improve data- and information-literacy skills Exposure to pressing ethical issues with broad impact, including information privilege and digital colonialism
Job Requirements	This position is open to current Yale undergraduate students from any discipline. Candidates will work remotely and will be expected to commit 10-15 hours per week to the project during the academic year, including weekly Zoom check-ins on Fridays. Candidates are not required to have existing technical knowledge and will be trained by the IDEA team. However, each should have 1) an interest in historical/archaeological research related to the ancient Mediterranean and/or Western Asia/Middle East, 2) excellent research skills (archival research experience a plus), 3) excellent organization, time-management, and professional communication skills, 4) and the ability to juggle multiple small tasks and achieve deadlines. Also a plus (but not required): facility with ancient Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Hebrew or Middle Persian; knowledge of other modern foreign languages (Arabic and French are particularly useful); some knowledge of (or willingness to learn): Python, Wikidata, website-building platforms (ex: Wordpress, etc.), ArcGIS/QGIS
Compensation	$16.50/hour
Job Level	CY25: Level I
Hours	10.0 to 15.0 hours per week
Primary Contact	Kayla Shipp
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