Research Assistant in Legal History

Internal Applicants Only

Deadline: 12 February 2023

Dr Ciara Kennefick is looking for a research assistant to help with an article on ‘The Roman Law of Nicholas Bernoulli’s Mathematics'.

The project aims to appraise properly the contribution to law of Nicholas Bernoulli, one of the most significant figures in the development of the mathematics of probability. It will examine in depth the legal sources in his doctoral thesis which he wrote in 1709 (in Basel).

Tasks for the Research Assistant

• Using the thesis written by Bernoulli in 1709, identify the relevant passages in several (circa thirty) treatises (mainly from the seventeenth century) which he cites.
• Reproduce them (by scanning) for Dr Kennefick.

Duration and hours

Working hours: a total of up to 30 hours across the duration of the project, to be agreed with the Supervisor.

Start date: 17th February 2023

Date by which the work must be completed: 31st March 2023

Reporting

The Research Assistant will report to Dr Kennefick

Requirements

• Some knowledge of Roman law and/ or continental legal history is essential.
• The following language skills are essential: Latin.
• The following language skills are desirable: French and German (as some of the sources contain some text in those languages).
• Some familiarity with the early modern history of continental Europe is desirable.

Almost all of these treatises are in Latin and are available in hard copy in libraries in Oxford. It may be possible to do the work elsewhere in the UK where you have access to a good library and internet. Meetings with the supervisor will be held in Oxford or held online.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to current graduate students in the Faculties of Law, History and Classics, and the hours are in line with the restrictions on working hours for students within the Law Faculty.

It is expected that the work will be undertaken in the UK. 

Rate of Pay

The work will be paid at £16.49 per hour (including the exceptional non-consolidated uplift for 2022-23), which equates to University Grade 6, point 1, on the basis of completed and approved timesheets, which must be submitted to payroll@law.ox.ac.uk by the last Friday of each calendar month for payment on the last working day of the following month.

In addition, paid annual leave will be assumed to be taken in the month in which it was accrued.

Funding

This opportunity is funded by a Law Faculty Research Support Fund award.

How to Apply

A short CV and cover letter (including the name of your supervisor) should be sent by email to ciara.kennefick@law.ox.ac.uk by 12th February 2023. Please explain how you meet the requirements for the role, and give details of your availability. Supervisors may be asked for a reference. 

Enquiries about the project are welcome, and may be addressed to Dr Ciara Kennefick (ciara.kennefick@law.ox.ac.uk). General queries, e.g. about the appointment process, or eligibility, may be addressed to research@law.ox.ac.uk.