In the context of the research project ‘The Dutch Global Age’, we are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to examine the contemporary relevance of Netherlandish Old Masters in a globalising world.

Seventeenth-century paintings are arguably the Netherlands’ most successful cultural export. The exhibition “The Dutch Masters” in Tokyo (2013) attracted the greatest number of visitors worldwide, similar displays followed in Cape Town, Beijing, Shanghai, Mumbai, and Abu Dhabi.

As postdoctoral researcher, you will complement our team, which currently consists of 3 PhD candidates and the PI. The team explores interactions between the arts of the Netherlands and the world beyond Europe in an attempt to establish how Netherlandish art has contributed to a global worldview. Whereas the PhD projects all take historical approaches (such as iconography and technical art history), you will focus on the recent past and contemporary period. The central research question is how and why paintings from the seventeenth-century Netherlands have been collected and displayed in museums in Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the period 1975-2022. You will also contribute to an exhibition that connects the project’s historical questions to topical societal debates.

We are looking for a colleague who:
- completed a PhD degree in art history, museology, heritage studies, or a related field;
- is eager to publish international articles and connect scholarly research to societal debates;
- has the skills and enthusiasm to work together in a research team;
has good social and communication skills;
- has an excellent command of English, in speaking and (academic) writing;
- has (reading) knowledge of Dutch or one of the other languages relevant to the research project.

The department is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome employees who contribute to the diversity of our faculty through their unique backgrounds and perspective.

We offer:
- a position for one year, with the possibility to extend to a total of three years;
- a working week of 32 hours and a gross monthly salary of €4,332 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

Please submit your application via the ‘apply’ button online (https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-position-in-art-history-andor-museology) and include the following documents:
- your motivation letter outlining your suitability for the position including your research experience and interests and how they connect to the theme of ‘The Dutch Global Age’ (max. 2 pages);
- your curriculum vitae;
- the names and contact details of two referees.

Candidates who make the shortlist will be invited for an interview. These may be conducted in person in Utrecht or online. Interviews are scheduled between 27 February and 8 March 2024. The start date is 1 April 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The application deadline is 21 February 2024.

About the project: https://globalnetherlandishart.sites.uu.nl/introduction/