Doctoral Research Fellow at the Astrup Centre, KODE/UIO

DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE ASTRUP CENTRE, KODE

A Doctoral Research Fellowship is available at The Astrup Centre, which is situated at KODE in Bergen.  The PhD will be supervised from and follow the PhD program at the Department of Philosophy, Classics, History of Art and Ideas (IFIKK), University of Oslo, and will both participate in and contribute to the activities at The Astrup Centre. The fellowship will provide an exceptional opportunity to combine academic research with the acquisition and development of curatorial skills.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Context for PhD

The Astrup Centre, funded by the DNB Savings Bank Foundation, aims to establish Nikolai Astrup’s position within the wider context of Norwegian and European art through research, publications - including catalogues raisonnés, exhibitions - public programmes and digital media presence. The PhD is intended to reflect and enhance this remit.

Scope of PhD

Nikolai Astrup has benefitted from a small number of publications derived from tertiary level research. However, a publication on his prints (2010) and recent research in conjunction with the 2016 international exhibition, ‘Painting Norway: Nikolai Astrup (1880–1928)’ and the proposed conservation programme for Astruptunet, the artist’s farmstead in Jølster, have revealed new material and insights, not least in his perception of, and responses to contemporary manifestations of mainstream modernisms. While these could shape a PhD proposal, the candidate might also chose to investigate one or more of the following topics, although these are not proscriptive:

• Astrup and Nordic Modernism

• Astrup`s international contexts – from Symbolism to Expressionism: indebtedness vs personal innovation

• Astrup and Japonisme

• Astrup and the meaning of landscape

• Astrup as writer – letters, essays, artist’s notes, and their languages

• The cultural milieu of Astrup and the consolidation of national identity – authors, fellow artists, collectors

• Astrup as draughtsman – drawings, prints

The art history department within IFIKK has Nordic modernism as one of its prioritized areas. This will ensure that the candidate will be working in a stimulating and creative research environment. The academic work is to result in a doctoral thesis that will be defended at the Faculty with a view to obtaining the degree of PhD. Read more about the doctoral degree: http://www.hf.uio.no/english/research/phd/

As a part of the PhD, the candidate will obtain curatorial training through the Astrup Centre’s activities, which involves documentation, collection management, curating and public programmes, and be a partof an interdisciplinary professional museum environment.

The appointment is for the duration of four years. It is envisaged that 75% of the time will be spent completing the doctoral programme provided by the University of Oslo, and 25% working in designated areas within the Astrup Centre, KODE.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Art History or other relevant discipline. The Master’s Degree must have been obtained by the time of application.

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English, as well as an ability to read historical Norwegian sources in Riksmål and Landsmål

• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

In assessing the applications, special emphasis will be placed on:

• The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame

• The applicant’s ability to complete research training

• The applicant’s motivation for curatorial training and museum activities at The Astrup Centre at KODE

• Good collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities

WE OFFER

• Salary NOK 436 900 - 490 900 per annum depending on qualifications in a position as PhD Research fellow, (Position code 1017)

• Professionally stimulating work environments

• Curatorial experience within the activities of The Astrup Centre

HOW TO APPLY

The application must include:

• Cover letter giving a statement of motivation and research interests

• Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, academic experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications)

• Transcript of records of the applicant’s Master’s degree. Applicants with education from aforeign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system

• Project description, including a detailed progress plan for the project (3–5 pages). See Template for project descriptions: 

http://www.hf.uio.no/english/research/phd/application/projectdescription.html

• List of referees: 2–3 references (Name, relation to candidate, e-mail and phone number)

Please note that all documents should be in English or in a Scandinavian language. When evaluating the application, emphasis will be given to the project description and the applicant’s academic and personal prerequisites to carry out the project. Applicants may be called for interview.

The application is to be sent to:

KODE - Art Museums and Composer Homes, Rasmus Meyers allé 9, N-5015 Bergen

Or by email to: post@kodebergen.no