Research Associate, Iconography & Scriptures

About the Role

NIRU India, an initiative under the NIRU Group, is seeking a Research Associate to conduct rigorous research on Iconography and Scriptures. This role involves partnering with the Research Project Manager, fellow researchers, and Creative and Design teams to identify, verify, organize, and present authentic source material in a clear, accurate, and meaningful format. A strong emphasis is placed on Sanskrit as a foundational language for understanding ancient Indian wisdom.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Source Work

• Conduct in-depth research on iconography and Sanskrit scriptures, including Purāṇas, Upaniṣads, kāvya, stotras, śilpa texts, dharma texts, and related traditional literature.

• Find primary Sanskrit references relevant to assigned research topics.

• Provide original Sanskrit text where available, ensuring authenticity.

• Provide accurate translations and explain immediate textual context for use by research, design, and storytelling teams.

• Trace ideas across multiple Sanskrit sources.

• Research deities, iconography, stories, philosophical concepts, symbols, flowers, colors, gemstones, sacred objects, rituals, and motifs.

• Verification & Accuracy

• Record exact sources, text names, khaṇḍa, adhyāya, sections, and śloka numbers.

• Verify quotations, references, translations, and online claims.

• Distinguish between direct textual statements, traditional interpretations, commentarial interpretations, and modern interpretations.

• Compare different textual versions of the same story or concept and identify the strongest references, in consultation with the Research Project Manager.

• Documentation & Knowledge Base

• Maintain well-organized research notes, source files, citations, and bibliographies.

• Present research in a structured format for easy team interpretation.

• Contribute findings to the shared knowledge base, ensuring consistency and navigability.

• Collaboration & Team Support

• Support fact-checking of presentations, stories, design concepts, and research documents.

• Participate in peer reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions, offering and receiving constructive feedback.

• Collaborate with Creative and Design teams to translate source material into design and storytelling.

• Flag open questions, gaps, and conflicting sources to the Research Project Manager.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Sanskrit proficiency is essential.
• Ability to read and work with Sanskrit texts.
• Good understanding of Sanskrit literature and Indian knowledge traditions.
• Familiarity with Purāṇic literature, philosophy, mythology, and iconography.
• Ability to locate reliable primary and secondary sources.
• Strong citation and reference discipline.
• Ability to verify Sanskrit verses and textual references.
• Ability to compare multiple sources carefully.
• Good written English for research summaries and translations.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Patience and persistence in working through large texts.
• Intellectual honesty.
• Collaborative working style.

Qualifications

• MA, MPhil, PhD, or advanced academic training in one or more of the following:
• Sanskrit
• Indology
• Indian Philosophy
• Ancient Indian History
• Religious Studies
• Hindu Studies
• Indian Art History
• Manuscript Studies
• Classical Literature
• Strong independent researchers with equivalent knowledge and experience may also be considered.