Research Fellow
Job Title: Research Fellow (Universal Histories and Universal Museums Project)
Division: Collections
Department/Section: Research
Contract: 12 month fixed term, full time
Reporting to: Principal Investigator, Universal Histories and Universal Museums Project
The Victoria and Albert Museum invites applications for a full-time postgraduate researcher to be part of an exciting new research project looking at the role of the universal or encyclopedic museum in building knowledge about the future. ‘Universal histories and universal museums: a transnational comparison’ is funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and will explore the evolution of museum collections – specifically at the V&A, the Museé du quay Branly (Paris) and the forthcoming Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Working alongside the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator and other experts, the Research Fellow will play an important role in supporting the successful delivery of this research project. They will be based in the V&A’s Research Department and be able to participate in the Museum’s vibrant research culture.
Background
The V&A is Britain’s national museum of art, design and performance, and is one of the greatest museums of decorative arts in the world. The national collections of watercolours, furniture and woodwork, miniatures, sculpture, silver, jewellery and metalwork, textiles, dress, theatre and performance are all held at the V&A, and the V&A is home to the National Art Library. The V&A’s purpose is to enable everyone to enjoy its collections and explore the cultures that created them; and to inspire those who shape contemporary design.
The V&A’s Research Department is charged with facilitating, promoting and conducting research across all aspects of the Museum’s activities. It consists of a core of permanent staff, and a much larger number of fellows and curatorial staff seconded into its ranks in order to work on specific research projects—including major exhibitions and displays, web-based and cataloguing projects, monographs and symposia. In collaboration with the Royal College of Art, it also runs a leading postgraduate programme in the History of Design.
The Universal Histories and Universal Museums Project
This project explores the role of the museum in building knowledge about the future through collections, display and relations with publics. It will examine how temporary exhibitions influenced the context and constructions of more permanent public collections, and in turn contributed to the development of universal museum knowledge. Through transnational perspectives on museum collections, the project will examine how history is made, displayed and disseminated through the uses, legacies and representations of the past.
The first phase of the project combines critical investigation through four workshops – two in Paris and two in London – and two historical case studies, based on the collections of the V&A, the Musée du quai Branly and the Louvre. This phase will consider the influence of social knowledge practices on the structuring of universal knowledge and how thinking about the past helps us to prepare for a global future that incorporates more diverse universalities. What kinds of history do we want or need today?
The project’s second phase will consolidate the first phase in a conference, publications, virtual exhibition and the digitisation of key archival resources, timed to align with the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi – a contemporary universal museum.
Purpose of job
Managed by Professor Sandra Kemp, with support from Co-Investigator Hervé Ingelbert (Professeur d’histoire romaine at l’Université Paris Ouest Nanterre-La Défense), the Research Fellow will play a key role in the coordination of the workshops and the digital research outputs. He or she will be based at the V&A, and will carry out archival research in both London and Paris during the project period.
Main tasks
- To assist in the day-to-day administration of the Universal Histories and Universal Museums Project.
- To play a key role in the organization of the four collaborative research workshops and the concluding conference.
- To contribute to the research undertaken by the project team, including archival research in London and Paris.
- To contribute to the project publications.
- To develop digital research outputs, including the virtual exhibition, online library of research resources, project website, interactive webinars and blog.
- To contribute to the Museum’s reputation for scholarship, nationally and internationally, through their own work, building on their existing research and developing new ways of working with the Museum’s collections.
- To be committed to health and safety and ensure familiarity with all of the Museum’s health and safety policies and procedures.
- To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of their work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the V&A’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity. To be security conscious, ensure familiarity and co-operation with all the Museum’s security procedures and wear a security pass at all times when on V&A premises.
- In addition to the above, to undertake such ad hoc duties as may reasonably be requested by appropriate managers within their department.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential requirements
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field of study.
- Proven research interest in the interface between history, theory and practice and evidence of scholarly promise in the form of publications and other achievements.
- Fluency in French.
- Strong intellectual engagement with the issues involved in researching museum collections.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both oral and in writing).
- Proven ability to work as part of a team and to help foster a productive and supportive working environment.
- Ability to be a successful ambassador for the project within and outside the Museum.
- Highly motivated and able to demonstrate initiative. Good time management skills, and the ability to set priorities and manage a number of tasks concurrently.
- Highly computer literate, with an ability to manage information systematically and accurately.
- Willingness to travel overseas occasionally.
Desirable requirements
- Experience in the creation of digital resources.
- Demonstrable experience of organising and delivering projects and / or events in the academic or cultural sector.
- Substantive experience of work in a museum, gallery, or other cultural organisation, on a professional or voluntary basis.
OTHER INFORMATION
Hours/Salary
Net working hours (i.e. excluding meal breaks) are 36 per week.
The full-time equivalent salary for this role will be £26,542 per annum.
Annual leave:
28 days plus 8 days public holidays
Pension benefits:
You will be auto enrolled into the Museum’s Group Personal Pension Scheme and have the opportunity on completion of Probation to an enhanced pension provision, including an employer contribution of 10%.
Other benefits include:
- Non-contributory life assurance policy (to value of 4 x annual salary)
- An interest free season ticket or bicycle loan is available after three months
- Free entrance to all the major museums and exhibitions in London as well as many others
- Subsidised staff restaurant
- Discounts on purchases in V&A shops
- Childcare Voucher Scheme
Application process:
Please apply online via the V&A’s website at www.vam.ac.uk/jobs
If you have any queries regarding the recruitment process, you can email us – hr@vam.ac.uk or telephone us on 020 7942 2937.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 10 June 2016 Interviews to be held on 20 June 2016
Interview expenses will not be paid unless there is a prior agreement.