Doctoral Research Fellowship

A doctoral research fellowship is available at the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Oslo.

The new National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design opened 11 June 2022 and is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries. The National Museum’s mandate is to develop, conserve, research, make available and promote public knowledge about Norway’s largest collection of art, architecture and design. The collection contains artworks from antiquity to the present and a great variety of these are now showcased in almost 90 rooms. The exhibitions are carefully curated to comply with the museum’s main objectives of making art accessible to everyone and each one of us, and to reflect the society and era in which we live. For more information about the museum and its collection, see www.nasjonalmuseet.no

The fellowship is an integral part of the collaboration agreement between the National Museum and the Fredriksen Family Art Company. It is fully financed by the Fredriksen Family Art Company, whereas the National Museum is solely and independently responsible for the process of evaluation of applications.

You can find more information about the collaboration agreement between the National Museum and the Fredriksen Family Art Company here: https://rb.gy/f99w26

Applicants interested in the PhD position are asked to submit a project proposal that aims at new readings of and/or new insights to Norway’s history of art broadly defined. The proposed project may thus focus on artworks of all media, time periods, and geographies, and seek to explore the chosen topic from art historical, artistic, conservation, museological and/or educational perspectives. We welcome proposals that critically consider the mobility of objects and actors and place the histories of art and visual culture of Norway in dialogue with global concerns and/or phenomena. Moreover, the proposed project needs to prove beneficial for the National Museum by furthering and diversifying the museum’s recognized practices regarding collecting, exhibiting, educating and/or preserving art. The proposal also needs to comply with the visions in the museum’s Research & Development Strategy. Proposals that include theories related to colonialism, globalism, sustainability, ecology, health and/or well-being are particularly welcome, and an interest and ability to work across disciplinary boundaries will also be considered an advantage. Furthermore, applicants are expected to include a research stay at an institution outside Norway for a period of 2-6 months, which may offer valuable input and research opportunities for the applicant’s proposed project.

For template for project description (appr. 5 pages) and guidelines, see https://rb.gy/0k4pgx

For the National Museum’s strategic plan for Research & Development, see https://rb.gy/1aga1y

Qualification requirements

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in art history, visual studies, curatorial studies, media studies, museology, conservation science, technical art history or other relevant field.
• Oral and written communication skills in English.
• Oral and written communication skills in a Scandinavian language is an advantage.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.

Please note that the Master’s degree must have been obtained by the application deadline.

The application must include

• Cover letter with expression of interest and motivation for the position, as well as a description of how the applicant’s research experience is relevant to the proposal.
• Project proposal.
• Curriculum vitae with grades listed.
• Transcript of records of the applicant’s Bachelor’s and Master's degrees. Applicants with education from a foreign university must attach an explanation of their university's grading system.
• List of selected publications.
• 1-3 letters of recommendation.

Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Evaluation

The National Museum will appoint a scientific committee that will be involved in the evaluation of applications and selection of research project.

The evaluation will be based on the quality of the project; its relevance to the National Museum; the applicants’ estimated academic and personal ability to complete a project of this size and scope within the time frame; and the applicant’s ability to complete research training. Their collaboration skills and their willingness to work across institutions and different research environments will also be evaluated.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

Admission to the University of Oslo

The person appointed will receive a conditional offer of a scholarship, pending admission to the Faculty of Humanities’ PhD-program at the University of Oslo. Admission is required in order for the successful candidate to receive supervision and complete the doctoral program including dissertation and 30 ECTS credit educational component.

The National Museum will assist the person appointed in finalizing the application to the doctoral training in due course.

If admission is granted to the PhD program, the successful candidate will be employed by the National Museum.

The appointment is for a duration of three years, devoted to the applicant’s research, the doctoral training, and the completion of a doctoral dissertation for public defense.

The successful candidate is expected to reside in Oslo (or in commutable distance) during the entire period and to actively participate in the National Museum’s R&D activities.

Annual salary 545.000 – 575.000 NOK.

Contact

For questions, please send your inquiries to:

Talette Rørvik Simonsen, Head of Research and Development

Astrid Rynning Nielsen, Senior HR advisor