Research Assistant in Global Renaissance Studies

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK seeks a dynamic individual to lead engagement and research for 'Sensory Wonders of the Renaissance World' at the Ashmolean Museum. The ideal candidate will have a PhD or be at the doctoral stage in relevant fields, with expertise in the Global Renaissance and early modern sensory cultures. This role offers an excellent opportunity for public engagement and innovative research methodologies.

Qualifications

• Hold a PhD/DPhil or be an advanced doctoral candidate.
• Expertise in the Global Renaissance (c. 1400–c. 1650).
• Ability to manage academic research and public engagement activities.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate and assess focus groups and 'touch tours' for the blind and partially-sighted.
• Undertake research based on academic expertise for the exhibition.
• Consider new methodologies and curatorial practices related to sensory research.

Skills

Expertise in the Global Renaissance

Research in early modern sensory cultures

Linguistic skills

Education

PhD/DPhil or advanced doctoral candidate

Job description

History of Art, Faculty of History, The Stephen A Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, The Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford OX2 6AH

About the role

We seek a dynamic and self‑motivated individual with expertise in the 'Global Renaissance' (defined temporally as c. 1400 to c. 1650) to facilitate research and engagement work in relation to a major exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum, which addresses the theme of sensory experiences and exchanges across the early modern world (co‑curated by Geraldine A. Johnson and Leah R. Clark). The working title of the exhibition is 'Sensory Wonders of the Renaissance World' and the opening is planned for June 2027. The post is based at the University of Oxford's History of Art, Faculty of History, based in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities in the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford OX2 6AH.

The role

The primary focus of the post-holder's duties will involve engagement work facilitating and assessing focus groups and 'touch tours' with the blind and partially‑sighted based on themes from the exhibition in order to demonstrate the wider 'impact' of the project. The post-holder will also be able to undertake research based on their academic expertise on specific themes and objects in the exhibition and accompanying catalogue. This is an excellent opportunity for an advanced doctoral student, post‑doctoral researcher, or early‑career academic to gain experience in research impact and public engagement, and to consider new methodologies and curatorial practices related to sensory research in both academic and museum contexts.

Qualifications

You will hold a PhD/DPhil or be an advanced doctoral candidate (e.g. at the University of Oxford, have at least passed the Transfer of Status and be in the final stages of completing your dissertation) in a relevant academic discipline, with expertise in the 'Global Renaissance' (c. 1400–c. 1650) and research interests in early modern sensory cultures. You will have expertise that includes at least one of the following areas outside of Europe (such as the Indian subcontinent, the Americas, Middle East, Africa or China), with relevant linguistic skills, and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the study of early modern history and culture to work within established research programmes. You will have the ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities including public engagement activities, with the reading ability in relevant European and/or non‑European languages (depending on specialism). Expertise in one or more of the following areas of early modern sensory cultures is desirable:

• Music
• Mining and extraction
• Textiles and dyes
• Arabic science, optics and maths
• Perfume