The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium (RMFAB) [fine-arts-museum.be] are part of the 10 federal institutions that fall under the authority of the Ministry of Science Policy. As a public service, they conduct scholarly and scientific research and manage a collection of more than 20 000 works of art (mainly sculptures, paintings and works on paper) dating from the 15th century to the present day. About 2 500 items are exhibited in the various Brussels museum sections: the Old Masters Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Magritte Museum, the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, the Wiertz Museum and the Meunier Museum. The museums organize temporary exhibitions to transfer related knowledge to the widest possible audience, publish scientific catalogues and manage the largest specialized library on Belgian art history.

The University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen) is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6 000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The RMFAB and the Faculty of Design Sciences (UA) have the following full-time function (100%) vacant. This position consists of two related appointments in the context of the Belgian federal government's FED-tWIN funding program, in particular for Abbey Rd. Revisited. A critical study and remedy for the Meunier Museum as a satellite of the RMFAB (ref.: Prf-2021-001_Abbey Rd #2):

1. A part-time (50%) appointment as Work Leader (Class SW2) at the RMFAB
2. A part-time (10%) appointment as Senior Academic Staff (ZAP) and a part-time (40%) appointment as postdoc researcher (BAP) at UAntwerpen, Faculty of Design Sciences, ARCHES research group (Heritage Studies and Conservation-Restoration educational programs)

FED-tWIN is a federal research program of the Federal Public Service Science Policy Programming Service (BELSPO) with the aim of stimulating sustainable cooperation between ten federal science institutions and Belgian Universities through the funding of joint research profiles.

Brief description of the Abbey Rd. Revisited research profile

Small museum entities that are part of a larger museum group are often not a priority as far as strategic management is concerned. The geographical distance to the mother museum creates a mental gap that helps to understand why in general these ‘satellite museums’ lack resources, are short in personnel, have problems with their buildings, and even have difficulties to offer the adequate material conditions for the preservation of artworks. Although suited for experiencing heritage, the small scale causes gigantic challenges, but also new experiences and alternative tourism potential. Precisely these problems and issues will be addressed and tackled in this project on the Meunier Museum. It will mobilize an important series of scholarly resources and will generate new experiences and insights that are relevant and innovating in museology and heritage sciences and practices. The current project is (on) the front zone and the intersection of several scholarly disciplines: art history, history, conservation-restoration science (of both immovable and movable heritage), museology, critical heritage studies, policy studies, tourism studies and cultural management sciences.

A detailed description, including work plan for the first two years, can be obtained via marc.jacobsuantwerpen.be or via davy.depelchinfine-arts-museum.be

Position at the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

- You examine the small-scale museum phenomena that occur in the Meunier Museum, you reflect on the future of the building and collection, and you provide customized solutions for the problems that they face.
- You facilitate and coordinate an integrated analysis of the museum infrastructure and materials, a mapping of structural problems, and a risk analysis for the heritage collection conserved in the Meunier Museum.
- You permanently consult with the curator of the Meunier Museum
- With the curator of the Meunier Museum as partner you actively build on networks with stakeholders in the heritage sector from local to international level.
- You strengthen the collaboration with the University of Antwerp by integrating the Meunier Museum case into your educational program.
- You actively contribute to the conservation of the Meunier collection and the building in which it is housed
The candidate must also consider the development of a data management plan (in
accordance with the FAIR research data management principles), ensure coordination between the work packages, and stimulate collaboration with colleagues in both organizations. The candidate must also comply with the “Code of Ethics for Scientific Research in Belgium”, which sets out the main principles of ethically responsible scientific practice.

Position at the University of Antwerp

- The 10% ZAP assignment focuses on the three core tasks of Independent Academic Personnel, namely education, research and services.
- The 40% BAP assignment is aimed at research.

Education
- You hold a teaching assignment with an equivalent of 6 ECTS credits in which you lecture on practice-oriented topics such as "Museum Studies”, “Preventive Conservation”, “Heritage Site Management” and/or “Transdisciplinary Project Management” at bachelor or master level.
- You will supervise students and their Bachelor, Master and/or doctoral dissertations

Research
- You will develop research in the field of heritage studies, museum studies, visitors studies and conservation-restoration, with special attention on the Meunier Museum, as part of the RMFAB.
- You actively build on networks with stakeholders in the heritage sector from local to international level.
- You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.

Services
- You take on internal policy tasks.
- You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You provide advice within and outside the University of Antwerp, among other things, and act as an expert/reviewer for national and foreign institutions.

Profile

- You hold a PhD in the field of Heritage Studies, in Conservation-Restoration, in Art History/Sciences, in Architecture, in History or in Cultural History.
- The PhD degree is obtained at the earliest 12 years prior to the submission of the job application with derogations. The 12-year period is extended by one year for each maternity, parental & adoption leave of the candidate and for each long-term sick leave of the candidate or his/her immediate family.
When assessing a foreign (non-EU) diploma, an equivalence certificate may still have to be requested from NARIC; we recommend that you - if necessary - start the recognition procedure at NARIC as soon as possible. You must have this recognition no later than the date of appointment.
- In order to come to a series of recommendations and interventions that can be implemented in a museum based on a very rich case file, the mediating and coordination skills of the FED-tWIN researcher are crucial. She or he should be a facilitator and team player with a broad interest in museum phenomena who can develop a valuable input in a transdisciplinary research project. She or he should have an affinity with the disciplines that are concerned, ranging from museum management of conservation-restoration to participatory methods.
- You have a profound interest, and preferably experience in the study and management of heritage sites, collections and museums, heritage site management, visitors studies, participatory methods, and/or (preventive) conservation and restoration are expected. Transdisciplinary aspirations and practice-oriented dispositions are required.
- You demonstrate leadership potential and organizational skills.
- You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
- You can demonstrate expertise in organizing and providing lectures and tutorials in an academic context and in supervising and following up Bachelor and Master dissertations.
- You can demonstrate expertise in various scientific analytical methods and are able to interpret the results and contextualize these historically.
- The candidate takes initiative when necessary. Experience in organizing and conducting meetings is also required.
- You are motivated to work in both a museum and a university context. Your expertise is complementary to the expertise within the research group ARCHES of UAntwerpen and within the RMFAB.
- You can demonstrate experience in setting up and carrying out research projects in the field concerned. Acquiring the necessary funds to realize these projects is recommended.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You have established an excellent research portfolio with impactful publications.
- Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities available.
- If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you should be
willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a program component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor- made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ language regulations.

Places of employment

- Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium: Museumstraat 9, 1000 Brussels
- University of Antwerp: Blindestraat 9, 2000 Antwerpen/Antwerp

What we offer

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium offer:
- The chosen candidate is recruited as Work Leader (class SW2) with the associated wage scale SW21 in contractual (open-ended) employment (50%)
- Additional advantages: as a staff member of the RMFAB you can count on a number of benefits such as a bicycle allowance, free commuting by public transport, all kinds of social benefits, flexible working hours and a workplace that is easily accessible by public transport (5 minutes walk) of Brussels- Central).

The University of Antwerp offers:
- A part-time 10% appointment as a member of the senior academic staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP) for a period of three years and a part-time 40% contract (open-ended) as a postdoctoral researcher.
- The ZAP appointment is renewable after positive evaluation. The level of your appointment (lecturer, senior lecturer, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for senior academic staff and according to the pay scale for a principal research fellow in the Contract Research Staff category (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP). Your salary is calculated pro rata based on the employment percentage.
- You will do most of your work at the city campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
- Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Do you want to apply?

- You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 14 February 2022 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and remember to include the following documents: (1) your motivation letter, (2) the completed job application appendix for ZAP, (3) your academic CV, (4) your research plan and educational vision.

Please find the online job application platform under the following link: https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/jobs/vacancies/academic-staff/?q=1967&descr=Senior-Academic-Staff-and-postdoc-researcher-/-Work-Leader-(RMFAB)-Abbey-Rd.-Revisited.-A-critical-study-and-remedy-for-the-Meunier-Museum-as-a-satellite-of-the-RMFAB

- The expected date of commencement of employment with both institutions is 2nd half 2022
- The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
- If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobsuantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact professor dr. Marc Jacobs (marc.jacobsuantwerpen.be) and/or dr. Davy Depelchin (davy.depelchinfine-arts- museum.be)