Postdoctoral Fellow in the field of illuminated Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts

The Nationalmuseum in Stockholm invites applications for a temporary, full-time position as Postdoctoral Fellow in the field of illuminated Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts for the academic year 2022–2023 (1 September 2022 – 31 July 2023). (NM2021/402) Closing date for applications: 10 January 2022.

The Nationalmuseum is a state authority and Sweden's leading museum of art and design with approximately 150 employees. The museum collections consist of older paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings as well as arts and crafts and design from antiquity to the present day. The collections are shown on Blasieholmen, Stockholm and in around 20 other locations such as, Läckö Castle, Jamtli and Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum

The manuscript collection of the Nationalmuseum is small but of high quality. It was brought together during the 20^th century, with a special focus on illuminations, and consists of 20 bound volumes, with a total of ca 4000 leaves, and ca 90 loose leaves and fragments, with objects dating from the 11^th century to the beginning of the 16^th. The manuscripts represent various categories of biblical, liturgical, devotional and legal texts, and were produced in locations across Europe and other parts of Christianity: in Italy, France, Constantinople, Ethiopia, England, Spain, Germany and the Low Countries.

During 2022 and 2023, the manuscripts will be fully inventoried and photographed, and will undergo preventive conservation in a project dedicated to the collection. A selection from the collection will be presented to the general public on the Nationalmuseum’s website, while more detailed information on each object will be entered in the database.

The Research Fellow will be attached to the project and is expected to advise and assist in its work, especially in updating the catalogue information. The existing scholarly catalogue was published in Swedish in 1979 by Carl Nordenfalk (Bokmålningar från medeltid och renässans i Nationalmusei samlingar) and provides a point of departure, including further bibliographical references.

During the year, the Research Fellow will also be expected to plan and write a research article in English on a subject related to Medieval or Renaissance manuscript illumination. The main emphasis of this article should be on the illustrations and/or other visual characteristics, but it may also address other aspects. A connection of some kind with one or more of the manuscripts in the Nationalmuseum collection would be desirable. An outline of the proposed research must be enclosed with the application (up to 4,000 characters including spaces).

The Research Fellow will be granted full staff privileges at the Nationalmuseum, with access to its library and archive and a workplace at the Research Department/Art Library on Skeppsholmen in Central Stockholm. The Nationalmuseum’s archives house Carl Nordenfalk’s personal archive, with his notes, correspondence and collection of photographs, which may be of interest for the planned research. The Research Fellow is expected to reside in Stockholm. A moderate travel allowance for research will be available.

Qualification requirements

• Ph.D. in art history or a neighbouring discipline, related to some aspect of illuminated manuscripts c. 500–1500.
• Confident oral and written communication skills in English, competency in the other languages required by the research work. Competency in Swedish/Scandinavian languages is an advantage.
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position.
• Excellent collaboration skills and an ability to join a multi-professional team.
• Experience of working in a library or museum with a manuscript collection is an advantage.
• The applicantis preferably in the early stages of a professional career within the field.

The application must include:

• Curriculum Vitae (listing education, research, administrative experience and other qualifying activities).
• Transcript of records of Doctor’s degree.
• Application letter describing your qualifications and motivation for the fellowship.
• A complete list of publications.
• The full text of up to three selected publications, with a brief explanation (up to 1,000 characters) of each.
• Outline of a research article in English (up to 4,000 characters including spaces).

Please note that all documents (except publications) must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

Our operation enjoys a high level of visibility in society, and is of interest to a great many people. Our aim is that the composition of our staff should reflect the diversity of our society. If you are to enjoy working with us, you should have a keen interest in art and design, and be responsive, enthusiastic and happy to involve your colleagues in your working process, in line with our values of Togetherness, Focus, Inspiration and Courage.

Further information:

Information about the position may be obtained from the Director of Research,
Martin Olin, martin.olin@nationalmuseum.se, tel +46 8 5195 4310.

The union representatives are Audrey Lebioda for SACO tel +46 8 519 543 78, Joakim Werning for ST +46 8 519 544 73 and Bo Gustafsson for SEKO +46 8 519 543 78. The telephone number for all the union representatives is +46 703-78 44 42.

 Application:

 We look forward to receiving your application, which must include a personal letter, CV and required documents.

Publications may also be sent to Martin Olin, Nationalmuseum, Box 161 76, SE-103 24 Nationalmuseum.

The closing date for the application is 9th of January 2022. Review of applications begin immediately