AHM Amsterdam School for Heritage Memory and Material Culture currently has a vacant Research Fellow position as part of several projects of the 4D Research Lab and CREATE, led by main researchers Dr Patricia Lulof and Prof. Julia Noordegraaf. AHM is one of the five Research Schools within the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research.

What are you going to do

As a research fellow you will execute projects with a focus on historical 3D reconstructions and research and development of 3D analytical techniques. You should have expertise not just in 3D modelling but also be able to demonstrate critical reflection on the theoretical and methodological aspects of virtual reconstruction. Ideally, we are looking for a person with research experience across a range of humanities disciplines. Typical projects include virtual 3D reconstructions of complex historical objects or architecture, and research their application as analytical tools as well as educational resources. You will be responsible for the historical, archaeological and archival research in the case of historical reconstruction, and in all cases write detailed reports on the procedures of 3D modelling and app creation. Some of these are published on our own platform, the 4DRL Report Series. Since of the interdisciplinary nature of many of the 4D Research Lab's projects, you will work in an exciting and dynamical environment and collaborate with researchers and practitioners with many different backgrounds in arts and humanities.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• conducting research in the humanities with computational 3D methods;
• presenting intermediate research results at workshops and conferences and publishing peer reviewed articles;
• participating in meetings of the 4D Research Lab;
• co-organising knowledge dissemination activities;
• support the development of large-scale collaborative research grants;
• organize workshops, teaching researchers to do computational research;
• collaborate with the other data engineers and data scientists at the DSC and beyond
• [contributing to] teaching courses.

The researcher we are looking for would have advanced knowledge in 3D software, will have gained experience in applying virtual reconstruction methods in the study of culture, and has a PhD in digital humanities, digital archaeology, digital art-history or related fields. They have experience in communicating their research to a wide audience including those who are less experienced with the methodology. We would also like to embed the person in our efforts to advance our teaching in these fields and would therefore prefer someone who would have experience in working with students or at least be interested in developing this. In addition, the person will have to be flexible in the context of the contract research-oriented nature of the 4D Research Lab.

Your experience and profile:

• a PhD in Digital Humanities, or in another discipline in the humanities or social sciences with a relevant specialisation. The degree must have been obtained by the time the position starts;
• excellent research skills demonstrated by a track record of publishing in high-ranking journals and/or with leading presses or a demonstrable capacity to develop such a record;
• advanced experience 3D software such as Blender and photogrammetry;
• affinity with empirical research using relevant qualitative and/or quantitative methods;
• a strong cooperative attitude and willingness to engage in collaborative research;
• enthusiasm for communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
• excellent command of English and a basic understanding of written and spoken Dutch.

Knowledge of art-historical and architectural historical material culture of Amsterdam are considered an advantage.

The Postdoc researcher will be appointed at ACASA of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Amsterdam and will conduct the research in AHM. The employment contract will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation the contract will lead to a tenure track. The employment contract is for 15,2 hours a week. Preferred starting date is 1 November 2022.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and relevant experience, ranges between € 3,974 to € 5,439. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

What else do we offer

• excellent possibilities for further professional development and education;
• an enthusiastic, inspiring and professional academic team;
• the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers at research institutes that - partly as a result of their interdisciplinary approach - are world renowned.

Faculty of Humanities

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Humanities provides education and conducts research with a strong international profile in a large number of disciplines in de field of language and culture. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the faculty maintains close ties with many cultural institutes in the capital city. Research and teaching staff focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and are active in several teaching programmes.

The 4D Research Lab (4DRL) is a place where scientists, 3D modelers and ICT specialists come together and collaborate on inventive solutions for important (contemporary) research questions. It is located at the interface between fundamental research, applied science and science communication and valorisation. The 4DRL's field of work extends over, but is not limited to, the entire humanities with a focus on historical architecture, archaeology, heritage and landscape, and is by definition interdisciplinary. The 4DRL has the expertise for collecting 3D data using various scanning techniques, whether or not in combination with drones, 3D modelling and the production of 3D output: from 'immersive' 3D visualizations, navigable online simulations and interactive annotated 3D models to X Reality apps. The 4DRL also offers a facility for presenting research results in publications, both in print and online and at exhibitions, permanent exhibitions of heritage institutions and others in a number of broader public-oriented presentations. There are partnerships with other faculties of the UvA, other universities and (heritage) institutes at home and abroad, and social partners such as the Municipality of Amsterdam and Monuments and Archaeology. The 4DRL forms part of the newly installed Humanities Labs of the Faculty.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.