Assistant Professor in Turkish Cultural History

Yunus Emre Enstitüsü - School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies

Post Status 3 years fixed-term contract

Reports to Head of Department and Head of School

Interviews May 2026

Proposed Start Date August 2026

Post Summary

The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies invites applications for the post of Yunus Emre Institute Assistant Professor in Turkish Cultural History. The post is intended to strengthen teaching, research, and public engagement in Turkish and Ottoman studies within the Department and across the wider School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies.

Applications are welcome from candidates whose work lies in Turkish cultural history, Ottoman history, or closely related fields, particularly where that work demonstrates a strong social, cultural, intellectual, or interdisciplinary dimension. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute both to broad survey teaching and to more specialised, research-led teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The postholder will also be expected to contribute to the further development of Turkish studies at Trinity more broadly, including through public-facing activity, collaboration with colleagues across the Department and School, and, where appropriate, curricular innovation that connects historical expertise with wider thematic and comparative debates.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Teach Turkish Cultural History and related subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Develop new modules and contribute to existing modules in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies and, where appropriate, across the School.
• Provide research-led teaching that is inclusive, intellectually rigorous, student-centred, and responsive to current best practice in higher education.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations and contribute to student support and academic guidance.
• Maintain an active individual research profile and contribute to collaborative research activity, publication, and applications for external funding, as appropriate to career stage.
• Contribute to the organisation of public events, outreach activities, and other initiatives connected with Turkish history, culture, and language, in consultation with the Head of Department and the Yunus Emre Institute.
• Undertake administrative and collegial duties appropriate to the role.

Further Information

Informal enquiries about this post may be directed to Dr Murat R. Şiviloğlu, Head of Department (sivilogm@tcd.ie).

Person Specification

Qualifications

• PhD completed in Turkish history, Ottoman history, Middle Eastern history, or a closely related discipline.
• Evidence of a developing or established research profile appropriate to career stage.
• Ability to teach and work professionally through the medium of English.

Knowledge and Experience - Essential

• Demonstrable expertise in Turkish Cultural History, Ottoman history, or a closely related field.
• Experience of university-level teaching, or clear evidence of the capacity to deliver high-quality teaching at undergraduate level and, where appropriate, postgraduate level.
• Evidence of scholarly publication, or equivalent evidence of research achievement, appropriate to career stage.
• Ability to teach both survey material and more specialised modules in the candidate's area of expertise.
• Capacity to contribute to an interdisciplinary academic environment and to work collegially within a department and school structure.

Knowledge and Experience - Desirable

• Competence in Turkish and, where relevant to the candidate's field, Ottoman Turkish or other research languages.
• Experience of curriculum design, module development, or programme administration.
• Experience of supervising student research projects or dissertations.
• Experience of public engagement, cultural programming, or partnership activity relevant to Turkish studies.
• A record of, or clear potential for, securing external research funding.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication, presentation, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a demanding workload effectively and to meet academic and administrative deadlines.
• Commitment to research-led, innovative, and inclusive teaching methods.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing positively to collective academic life.
• Capacity to represent the Department and the University professionally in academic and public settings.

Application Information

To assist the selection process, candidates should submit the following materials in PDF format via the 'Apply' button above (e: trinity@yee.org.tr):

• Cover letter (maximum 2 A4 pages) addressing the essential and desirable criteria for the post.
• Full curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the names and contact details of 3 referees.
• Research statement (maximum 2 A4 pages) outlining current research and the candidate's proposed research agenda for the next 2 years.
• Teaching statement (maximum 2 A4 pages) outlining teaching experience, pedagogical approach, and areas of teaching competence.
• Brief statement (maximum 2 A4 pages) outlining how the candidate would contribute to the promotion of Turkish history, language, and culture at Trinity College Dublin.

Candidates should ensure that their application materials address the requirements of the post directly and clearly. The interview process may include a presentation and may include an assessment of practical teaching or communication skills.

About the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies

The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies at Trinity College Dublin offers research-led teaching on the societies and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, while also providing specialist pathways in Jewish and Islamic civilisations. Students may engage with many periods and societies across the region and may study languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Sumerian, Akkadian, and Middle Egyptian hieroglyphs.

The Department combines disciplinary breadth with a strong commitment to public outreach, postgraduate research, and interdisciplinary collaboration. It is also home to the Al Maktoum Centre for Middle Eastern Studies and the Herzog Centre for Jewish and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures.

About the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies

The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies is one of the largest schools in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It comprises seven departments - French, German, Hispanic Studies, Italian, Irish and Celtic Languages, Near and Middle Eastern Studies, and Russian and Slavonic Studies - and supports a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral activity across languages, literatures, cultures, and area studies.

The School's tradition in modern languages dates back to 1776, and it combines long-established disciplinary strength with an active commitment to research excellence, widening participation, and international engagement.

About the Yunus Emre Institute

The Yunus Emre Institute is affiliated with the Yunus Emre Foundation and supports the promotion of Turkish language, culture, and the arts internationally. Its activities include Turkish-language teaching, cultural programming, academic collaboration, and support for Turkish studies in universities and research environments outside Turkiye.

The Institute's partnership with Trinity College Dublin supports the continued development of Turkish studies and the wider promotion of Turkish cultural history in Ireland.

Useful Links

Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies: https://www.tcd.ie/nmes/

School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies: https://www.tcd.ie/langs-lits-cultures/

Yunus Emre Institute: https://www.yee.org.tr/en