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The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) invites applications for a

Postdoctoral Researcher within the project “Museum Lab” (1.0 fte from 1st of August 2024 to 31st of October, 2025)

The Postdoc will work on a series of collaborations with Leiden faculty, museum curators, and students to develop and contribute to a robust laboratory of programs consisting of enquiry-based learning workshops, student and professional conferences on museum histories and their futures, and the publication of an edited volume on museums of modern art in the Netherlands. The Postdoc will also undertake some teaching of museum studies courses. The project is directed by Dr. Laurie Kalb Cosmo (University Lecturer in Art History and Museum Studies at Leiden University).

Museum Lab project
This project is intended to raise core conceptual questions about the ongoing value of museums in contemporary society. Through a robust range of projects, including enquiry-based (hands-on) learning workshops, an international conference entitled “Legacies: Why Museum Histories Matter,” and the publication of an edited volume on the Rise of museums of modern art in the Netherlands, the Museum Lab is designed to foster active learning practices for students and advance complex museological questions in innovative educational settings. With lively student workshops with curators, intellectual exchange at professional conferences, and the preparation of an edited book on museum histories and their futures, the “Museum Lab” presents an applied academic platform for deepened and engaged debate about current challenges facing museums, addressing such topics as nuanced solutions for restitution and decolonization, the ethical value of digital methods in museum display, links between academic research, artistic production, and museum stakeholders, and exhibition display. The “Museum Lab” provides an outstanding opportunity for a postdoc with interests in museum history and theory to work on projects that contribute to innovative and engaged debate about core conceptual questions regarding museum formations and histories and their practices.

Key responsibilities

• You will conduct historic and/or collections-based research on a museum history topic of your choice;
• You will publish an article in a peer-reviewed publication on some aspect of your research;
• You will edit chapters for an edited volume on The Rise of Museums of Modern Art in the 1930s Netherlands and create an index for the book;
• You will participate in the planning of an international conference “Legacies: Why Museum Histories Matter,” including the framing of the program and the invitation of speakers;
• You will present a paper at the conference “Legacies: Why Museum Histories Matter,” based on your research;
• You will participate in the intellectual life of LUCAS and contribute to the research profile of LUCAS;
• You will contribute to the organization of the events and outreach activities of the “Museum Lab”; You teach and/or co-teach courses in museum studies in the BA programme Arts, Media and Society (AMS) and MA programmes art history and museum studies;
• You teach and supervise BA and MA theses on such topics as Museum history and theory, curating collections, politics and ethics in the contemporary museum, and museum futures.

Your profile

• You hold a PhD with a specialisation in Art history, museum studies, cultural studies, or anthropology, awarded by the time of appointment, ideally on a topic related to museum history and/or museum theory;
• You have a personal affinity with museum studies and museum histories;
• You have experience with or are willing to learn about digital methods in museum presentation and ethical questions surrounding collecting and exhibiting;
• You have experience with working with archival sources and/or museum collections;
• You have a proven record of accomplishment in academic publications and public outreach;
• You possess analytical skills, and a clear and persuasive style of writing;
• You have full professional working proficiency in English (speaking, writing, reading); working knowledge of Dutch and/or another European language would be an added value;
• You have proven time-management skills;
• You are a team player and an independent thinker;
• In case of teaching duties: You are willing and able to meet the requirements for a Basic University Teaching Qualification (UTQ / BKO) within two years if you do not already possess a Dutch University Teaching Qualification;
• You live and are officially registered as resident in The Netherlands or are willing to relocate upon starting the position.
  

The organisation
The Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University is a unique international centre for the advanced study of languages, cultures, arts, and societies worldwide, in their historical contexts from prehistory to the present. Our faculty is home to more than 6,000 students and 800 staff members. For more information see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/humanities . The Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS) is one of the seven Academic Institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. The institute hosts a range of academic disciplines, clustered around a key research theme: the relationships between the arts and society. Our members study cultural production over the course of two millennia, from classical antiquity to our contemporary world, and teach in programmes ranging from Classics and Book History to Modern Literature, International Studies and Art History. Strengthened by our diversity, LUCAS members are uniquely placed to study the broad concept of the arts, with its rapidly changing ideas, aesthetics, and theories of cultural production. Through research, teaching and outreach, the Institute aims to deepen our understanding, both inside and outside academia, of the cognitive, historical, cultural, creative, and social aspects of human life. As an academic community, we strive to create an open and welcoming atmosphere, stimulating everyone to get involved and contribute, and connecting scholars from different fields and backgrounds.

We offer
We offer a 1.00 FTE position as postdoctoral researcher, starting 1st of August (or earlier, if possible) and ending on the 31st of October that combines research, publishing, and administrative responsibilities with teaching in the BA programme of Arts, Media and Society and the MA departments of Art History and Museum Studies. The appointment will start as soon as possible but no later than 1 August 2024. The salary is in accordance with the collective salary agreement of the Association of Dutch Universities (CAO) and depending on qualifications and experience. The gross monthly salary is € 3,877,- (scale 10.4) to € 4,332,- (scale 11.0) for a full working week. Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. For more information, see https://www.workingat.leiden.edu/.

In case of teaching duties: UTQ

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ / BKO). If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain the UTQ within two years.

Diversity & Inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Enquiries can be made to the PI of the project, Dr. Laurie Kalb Cosmo (l.k.cosmo@hum.leidenuniv.nl). Questions about the procedure can be directed at Jennifer Dijkman (im-lucas@hum.leidenuniv.nl). Information about LUCAS can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/geesteswetenschappen/centre-for-the-arts-in-society and about Leiden University at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en.

Application
Please submit your application via the online recruitment system, via the blue button at the top of this page, latest 21st of June. Applications received via e-mail will not be considered. Your application should include:

• A letter of motivation (max. 2 A4)
• A (short) CV including education, employment history, publications, and organisational experience (max. 2 A4)
• A proposal for a case-study to be undertaken in the subproject (max. 1 A4)
• Names, positions, and email addresses of two referees (no reference letters); please list these on your CV rather than filling them out separately in the system.

(Online) interviews will take place in the first half of July 2024.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated

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