Aarhus University, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies
Postdoctoral position in the study of historical archaeological collections relating to, and emanating from, St Croix, USVI (the former Danish West Indies)
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | Denmark |
Position: | Post-Doctoral Fellow |
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, School of Culture and Society, Faculty of Arts, Aarhus University invites applications for an 18-month, fixed-term postdoctoral position in the study of historical archaeological collections relating to, and emanating from, St Croix, USVI (the former Danish West Indies).
The successful applicant will be based at the School of Culture and Society, Aarhus University, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Moesgaard Allé 20, 8270 Højbjerg.
The appointment begins on 15 April 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The university is keen for its staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified applicants regardless of their personal background.
Research context
We are looking for an innovative and dedicated scholar with a background in archaeology, collection-based research and colonial material culture, preferably specialising in material culture from the Caribbean.
This position is made possible by a DFF Project II grant for the project Enduring Materialities of Colonialism: temporality, spatiality and memory on St Croix, USVI (2019-2024). The project is led by Dr Laura McAtackney and includes working in partnership with a range of colleagues: Dr Magdalena Naum, Aarhus University, Dr Krysta Ryzewski, Wayne State University, and Dr Meredith Hardy, National Park Service (USVI). This is a project based on co-production and knowledge exchange with the communities we are working with on St Croix, which includes a commitment to communicating the results of the research on the island and in Denmark as well as through academic outputs. It is an interdisciplinary project that has an emphasis on researching the roles of various material remnants of colonialism in providing new insights into the experiences of the colonial past and considering whether, and how, they continue to shape memory and identity on the contemporary island.
The successful applicant is expected to participate in project activities, especially conducting their own collections-based research at a variety of museums, heritage institutions and private collections in Denmark, St Croix and further afield (as appropriate). This project will include fieldwork seasons with the expectation of spending at least one month as part of the project team on St Croix (probably June 2022 or 2023). The postdoc will be part of a team based at the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Moesgaard Campus, Aarhus and will be expected to take an active part in departmental activities including lectures, seminars and workshops.
The position
The successful applicant is expected to work with Dr McAtackney and other members of the EMoC team in carrying out their research.
Applicants are asked to submit:
- an academic CV and cover letter
- a concise statement of motivation for applying for the position, indicating how their experience relates to the project aims and objectives [maximum one page]
- a maximum of five publications
The successful applicant will be expected:
- to conduct their research independently through a collaborative ethos within the EMoC team on the study of historical archaeological collections relating to, and emanating from, St Croix
- to take a holistic approach to the study of archaeological collections by focusing on the artefacts but also the political, social and economic context of how the collections were brought together through to their present context. This will include investigating the role of individuals and organisations – both historically and through to the present day – in collecting, de/accessioning, curating, interpreting and displaying the collections
- to create a project database that will act as an inventory of the relevant finds within various collections
- to conduct detailed object biographies of specific artefacts and sub-collections located through the research process
- to spend up to 10% of their research time on completing archival research responding to outcomes from project fieldwork on St Croix, which may include making connections between newly located material culture and pre-existing collections
- to add research findings to the project’s Deep Heritage Map and project website, when relevant
- to co-lead in producing a public-orientated, and academically rigorous, output provisionally entitled ‘St Croix in 50 Objects’
- to present their research at international meetings and publish results in peer-reviewed, international scientific journals
- to contribute to the organisation of research workshops and international conferences hosted at Aarhus University and on St Croix
Teaching
The position may involve a limited, specified amount of teaching, as agreed with the head of department and the project lead.
Knowledge exchange
The successful applicant will be expected to exchange knowledge with various sectors of society and to contribute actively to public debate in areas related to the position.
Qualifications
Applicants for this position must hold a PhD degree in archaeology, heritage studies, museum studies, colonial history or a related field with a focus on the material culture of the colonial Caribbean.
Applicants must document:
- doctoral-level experience of working with archaeological collections
- experience of completing detailed research on archaeological collections, including the social context of how they were brought together and have been shaped to the present day
- an international research profile with relevant publications, or the potential to achieve such a profile
- fluency in written and spoken English, with a strong preference for fluency in written and spoken Danish due to the need to work with collections in Danish heritage institutions
Desirable attributes:
- knowledge of historical Danish colonialism, especially in the Caribbean, and of the relationship between archaeology and colonialism
- experience of disseminating research to the public, especially working with museums and heritage institutions
The research activities will be evaluated in relation to the research time that has been available to applicants. We therefore encourage applicants to specify any periods of leave they may have had without research activities (e.g. maternity/paternity leave), so we can subtract these periods from the span of their academic career when evaluating their productivity.
The application must be submitted in English.
lease upload a maximum of five publications alongside your application. Only submitted publications will be assessed; a list of publications is not sufficient. As a result, applications without submitted publications will not be assessed.
Professional references or recommendations should not be included. Applicants who are selected for an interview may be asked to provide professional references.
For further information about the position, please contact laura.mcatackney@cas.au.dk
For more information about the application and the employment procedure, please contact HR supporter Marianne Birn, e-mail mbb@au.dk.
The work environment
The Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies at Aarhus University is one of the largest and most active archaeology and heritage studies departments in the Nordic countries. It is a dynamic research environment that hosts a number of major research projects. The environment is versatile and cross-disciplinary, with academic staff with many disciplinary foci and international backgrounds. The interests of the academic staff span topics ranging from war and power to mobility and globalisation, with a particular focus on creative methodological approaches to understanding the past and how it shapes the present.
Read more https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/archaeology-and-heritage-studies/
School of Culture and Society
At the School of Culture and Society the object of research and teaching is the interplay between culture and society in time and space:
- From the traditional disciplines of the humanities and theology to applied social research
- From Antiquity to the issues facing contemporary societies
- From local questions to global challenges
The school’s goal is to produce compelling research with an international resonance, as well as offering teaching and talent development of high quality. The school has a broad cooperative interface with society, both in Denmark and abroad, and contributes to social innovation, research communication and further and continuing education.
For further information about the school, please see http://cas.au.dk/en/.
Qualification requirements
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent academic qualifications.
Formalities
Faculty of Arts refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities(the Appointment Order).
- Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.
- Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in theMemorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities .
- Further information on the application and supplementary materials may be found in Application Guidelines.
- The application must outline the applicant's motivation for applying for the position, attaching a curriculum vitae, a teaching portfolio, a complete list of published works, copies of degree certificates and examples of academic production (mandatory, but no more than five examples). Please upload this material electronically along with your application.
Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here: https://talent.au.dk/junior-researcher-development-programme/
If nothing else is noted, applications must be submitted in English. Application deadline is at 11.59 pm Danish time (same as Central European Time) on the deadline day.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.
Shortlists may be prepared with the candidates that have been selected for a detailed academic assessment. A committee set up by the head of school is responsible for selecting the most qualified candidates. See this link for further information about shortlisting at the Faculty of Arts: shortlisting
Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is one of five main academic areas at Aarhus University.
The faculty contributes to Aarhus University's research, talent development, knowledge exchange and degree programmes.
With its 550 academic staff members, 275 PhD students, 9,500 BA and MA students, and 1,500 students following continuing/further education programmes, the faculty constitutes a strong and diverse research and teaching environment.
The Faculty of Arts consists of the School of Communication and Culture, the School of Culture and Society and the Danish School of Education. Each of these units has strong academic environments and forms the basis for interdisciplinary research and education.
The faculty's academic environments and degree programmes engage in international collaboration and share the common goal of contributing to the development of knowledge, welfare and culture in interaction with society.
Read more at arts.au.dk/en
The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.
Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,000 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 885 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/
Contact: |
For further information about the position, please contact laura.mcatackney@cas.au.dk |
Website: | https://cas.au.dk/en/about-the-school/departments/archaeology-and-heritage-studies/ |
Primary Category: | Archaeology |
Secondary Categories: | Colonial and Post-Colonial History / Studies Cultural History / Studies Historic Preservation Latin American and Caribbean History / Studies |
Posting Date: | 01/13/2022 |
Closing Date | 02/09/2022 |