Postdoctoral researcher Visualizing the Unknown - Huygens Instituut

Location: Amsterdam
Max hours per week: 40,00
Max salary: 6.148
Duration of agreement: 2 jaar
Apply until: 09/30/2024

Visualizing the Unknown is a NWO-funded research project hosted by the Huygens Institute (Amsterdam) and the Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History (Rome).

The project www.visualizingtheunknown.com examines the emerging study of the micro-world in the seventeenth century, with a focus on the manner in which images came to be used in scientific observation, representation and communication.

We are currently searching for a new team member in the form of a postdoctoral researcher. This two-year position aims at providing a wider context to the processes and results of microscopic observation in the form of drawings, printed images, and other art media. This postdoctoral project will go beyond the uses of images only, and will compare two-dimensional representations to objects as in for example taxidermy, herbaria, life-casts and nature prints, as well as scale models. In this way we hope to frame discussions about images in a wider context of ad vivum, abstraction, and objectivity.

The postdoctoral researcher will physically be based at the Huygens Institute in Amsterdam, in the department Knowledge– and Art Practices. The researcher will  takeup a central role in the interdisciplinary and international research team of Visualizing the Unknown. Our partnership with the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge (UK) will give the candidate the opportunity to spend up to six months of their research time in Cambridge working with the paintings, drawings, and prints collections in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Special Collections at the University Library, and the collections at the Cambridge University Herbarium, Zoology Museum and Whipple Museum of the History of Science.

To apply we expect the candidate to write a research proposal that fits within the overall framework of the Visualizing the Unknown-project. Close collaboration with all team members is self-evident The postdoctoral position will be mentored by Prof. Dr. Eric Jorink (Huygens Institute) and Prof. Dr. Erma Hermens (Fitzwilliam Museum).

The position will start by December 2024 or as soon as possible after.

We are looking for someone:

• Who has finished their PhD in a related topic (at the start of the appointment);
• Who has a good knowledge of English; at least passive knowledge of Dutch, and at least one other modern European language;
• Who has a background in (technical) art history and/or history of knowledge;
• Who is both a team player and an independent thinker and researcher;
• You are registered in the Netherlands at the start and during employment. 
• Who can think outside-the-box

What we offer:

• An international work environment with many possibilities to collaborate;
• Possibilities to work at partner institutions for part of the time;
• Possibilities to organize events (outreach, a small exhibit, symposium, etc).

To apply please prepare:

• Cover letter
• Research proposal (max. 1000 words + bibliography)
• CV
• Writing sample
• 2 names and contact details of referees (no letters of recommendation required)

Please upload all documents, after finishing the application and you have received a login you will able to upload an aditional document by the deadline. Interviews will take place in the week of October 28th 2024.

For questions about the content of the Postdoc, feel free to contact Eric Jorink (click on name to send an information request).

About the Huygens Institute 
The Huygens Institute aims to enrich, broaden, renew and make widely accessible the research on history and culture of the Netherlands. We do this by digitally opening up historical and literary data and texts from various collections and sources, connecting them and analysing them in innovative ways – across the centuries and beyond Europe’s borders.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 4.492 and the maximum salary is 6.148 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 11 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW. Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure. 

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.