‘Decadence in Translations: Translating for, and in French and British Periodicals, 1880-1914. Corpora, Translators, and Translational Aesthetics’

This PhD project will explore the publication of translations in French and English literary periodicals from 1880 to 1914 in relation to the concept of Decadence. As well as a final written project of around 100k words, the successful candidate is expected to contribute to: 

• the creation of a database of translation material in 1000 French and British periodicals;
• the establishment of a prosopography; 1 interactive map of translators including women and targeting scholars and students; 
• and the production of criteria for decadent translation designed to enrich translation studies and upskill translators’ competencies. 

Supervision for this project will be split between University Bourgogne Europe (Bénédicte Coste) and the University of Glasgow (Matthew Creasy) and the successful candidate will be expected to split the period of their studies between France (2025/6-2027) and Britain (2028-2029). The project includes two periods of secondment at IMEC (Abbaye d’Ardennes) and Cadenza Academic Translations (Exeter, UK), where the successful candidate will receive additional training and support. 

This project is part of the DECADOCS network, involving 10 Universities across Europe. In addition to local supervision and support, the successful candidate will also benefit from an extensive programme of doctoral training and access to an interdisciplinary network of scholars and researchers exploring different aspects of Decadence from the nineteenth century to the present. This includes opportunities for presentation at conferences and the publication of scholarly outputs.

Although priority will be given to applicants who already have strong reading and writing skills in both English and French languages, The University of Glasgow and University of Bourgogne Europe are keen to encourage a wide range of applicants from different backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Global Majority students currently underrepresented in doctoral student cohorts.

About the Research

It has long been recognised that Decadence was a translinguistic and interlinguistic phenomenon in France and Britain at the fin de siècle. This project contributes to general work on the meaning and understanding of Decadence from the nineteenth century to the present day by exploring the role of translation in the circulation and spread of ideas associated with this concept. Specifically, this project considers the role of literary periodicals in the dissemination of Decadence in translation and builds on recent developments in digital humanities. 

As increasing numbers of periodicals are digitised and made available online and elsewhere, this project will survey the presence of works in translations from English to French and from French to English within literary periodicals between 1880 and 1914. Whilst the presence and valence of translation in periodicals will be central to the doctoral thesis produced at the end of the period of study, it will be equally important to create a database of these translations, accompanied by a prosopography of translators and interactive map of their location which will allow other researchers to generate their own lines of inquiry. A preliminary study of the aesthetics of translations in periodicals is also expected.

Your duties:

As a PhD student working on this project, you will contribute to research into Decadent translations within French and English periodicals during the period 1880-1914. Your tasks will include:

• Research to locate translated material in French and English periodicals from 1880-1914
• Translation and digitalisation of archival material
• The creation of databases to record archival and periodical findings
• Compiling research findings into scientific presentations, publications, and a PhD thesis

Requirements

Essential

We are looking for a candidate with:

• An MA degree in the humanities, including literature, history, translation or digital humanities

• Near native knowledge of English and French (other languages are a plus)
• Availability to work in Dijon and Glasgow, as well as at in Exeter and Caen
• Strong research and writing skills
• Affinity and interest in interdisciplinary research
• Strong background in late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century history and literature including periodical literature
• Exceptional curiosity, problem solving skills
• Willingness to engage with non-academic audiences 
• Strong digital skills

Desirable

• Experience in archival research
• Experience in the creation of digital databases

The EU provides support for each recruited researcher in the form of

• a living allowance
• a mobility allowance
• if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances

As the doctoral project will be carried at the University of Glasgow, applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, should note that the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training) 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0

• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted

Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

• TOEFL 

100 overall with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27

Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL.

ELIGIBILITY:

Researchers funded by MSCA Doctoral Networks

• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
• can be of any nationality
• should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project
• should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date

Where to apply and what to send:

• a cover letter stating your motivation to apply for the position and your key competencies relevant for this position
• an up-to-date CV, including details of your BA and MA degrees
• copies of your diplomas and transcripts of records (BA and MA)
• evidence of proficiency in academic English (a sample of academic writing from your MA)
• the names and contact details of two referees
• proof of ID (passport, identity card);
• a declaration of Honour stating that you fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Our selection procedure is merit-based and follows the guidelines of the recruitment of European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for researchers: 

Applications are received until 20 October 2025 

Interviews will take place online from 17 to 22 November 2025.

UBE hosts some 40,000 students includng 3,000 international students and testifies to its European identity by its membership of the FORTHEM university alliance (Fostering Outreach within European Regions, Transnational Higher Education and Mobility). 

The MSH's platform ADN (archves, documentation, numérisation/digitalization) host many digital humanities projects and provides taylored assistance and service. 

The successful applicant will have access to an office as well as to all necessary amenities needed for the completion of the two-year hosting at UBE. 

Please, note that this MCSA fellowship is a cotutelle PhD between UBE and the University of Glasgow where the fellow is expected to spend the 2 final years of the 48-months funding.

We are looking for a candidate with:

• An MA degree in the humanities, including literature, history, translation or digital humanities

• Near native knowledge of English and French (other languages are a plus)
• Availability to work in Dijon and Glasgow, as well as at in Exeter and Caen
• Strong research and writing skills
• Affinity and interest in interdisciplinary research
• Strong background in late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century history and literature including periodical literature
• Exceptional curiosity, problem solving skills
• Willingness to engage with non-academic audiences 
• Strong digital skills

Desirable

• Experience in archival research
• Experience in the creation of digital databases

As the doctoral project will be carried at the University of Glasgow, applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, should note that the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training) 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0

• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted

Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme

• TOEFL 

100 overall with Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27

Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL.