Applicants are invited for a postdoctoral position within the project “Terra Mosana”. Terra Mosana is being executed within the context of Interreg V-A Euregion MeuseRhine, and is financed by the European Regional Development Fund, the Walloon Region, the Provinces of Limburg (NL and B) and the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Research project

This is an exciting opportunity to join a transdisciplinary project team carrying out research in the field of digital heritage. In particular we are looking for a postdoc to conduct research in the Interreg EMR funded research project Terra Mosana, a euregional project aiming to investigate, digitalize and present the shared history of the Meuse-Rhine Euregion. Over the course of three years, various cities and regions, museums and universities will jointly develop digital narratives through 3D modeling and on-site augmented reality connecting cultural heritage sites in Aachen, Jülich, Leopoldsburg, Liège, Maastricht, and Tongeren. Terra Mosana is an initiative of the University of Liège and was launched at the Palace of the Prince-Bishops of Liège on 24 October 2018.

Job description

The postdoctoral researcher will work independently and in collaboration with the Terra Mosana partners, in particular with the members of the Work Package Sustainability, coordinated by the Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH). The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to expand on the details of their own research based on their expertise, the material they gather and their own ideas, in consultation with the supervisor (Sally Wyatt) and WP coordinator (Vivian van Saaze). 

The successful candidate will collaborate on a range of activities including:

• developing, conducting, and analysing feedback instruments (e.g. focus groups, user evaluations, and surveys) of the historical storylines and digital products;

• co-organizing and contributing to the successful development and delivery of WP partner meetings, workshops and events;

• co-authoring transferable guidelines for public participation in digital heritage;

• (co-)authoring academic papers, and contributing to grant applications;

• supporting the WP coordinator in project management (e.g. assist in project reporting);

• teaching (most likely in the new BA Digital Society programme)

Further information on the Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage can we found at: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/macch

Starting date: as soon as possible

Requirements

Suitable candidates will have a PhD degree in a relevant humanities or qualitative social science discipline (such as history, history of arts, archaeology, museum and heritage studies, sociology or Science and Technology Studies). Candidates who are well versed in current academic and professional literature on participatory approaches in arts and heritage, and have methodological experience in innovative approaches to (digital) public engagement are particularly encouraged to apply.  

The postdoctoral researcher will be based in Maastricht. The successful candidate must be willing to travel in the euregion, be open to working together in a transdisciplinary and interfaculty environment. They will have experience in grant acquisition and international peer-reviewed academic publications are imperative. Excellent communication and writing skills in English are a prerequisite, since the candidate will be engaging on an international level, collaborating with other team members in English and producing English-language publications. Knowledge of French, German and/or Dutch is an advantage, however not essential, as interpreters will be hired if necessary.

Fixed-term contract: 20 months.

What we have to offer

We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally-oriented organisation where young people receive an advanced education and scholars conduct exciting research. The postdoctoral researcher will have the unique opportunity to carry out research within one or more of the four programmes mentioned above. They will be part of an international network of top universities and renowned scholars within the field.

We offer a 0,8 fte appointment as Researcher for 20 months. Your position of Post-doctoral Researcher (Onderzoeker 3) will consist of 80% research and 20% teaching.

Remuneration will be according to standard salary levels, depending on education and relevant work experience. This implies a gross monthly salary of about € 3.255,00 per month, scale 10 level 4 (based on a full-time appointment). Each year the standard salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. After a positive assessment a promotion to scale 11 is possible in the 2nd year.

If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings) you might be eligible for an allowance for alternative housing.

Other secondary conditions include e.g. a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave.

You will be provided with shared office space and a PC

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support> UM employees.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,300 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASoS) has about 250 staff members, and about 1,600 students. More than 76% of the students are non-Dutch (64 different nationalities). All programmes are offered in English and some are also offered in Dutch. FASoS offers three 3-year bachelor’s programmes: Arts and Culture, European Studies and Digital Society. It also offers eight different 1-year Master’s programmes and two 2-year research master’s programmes.

Research is organised around four programmes: Politics and Culture in Europe; Science, Technology and Society Studies; Arts, Media and Culture; and Globalisation, Transnationalism and Development. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is housed in the historic city centre of Maastricht.

Further information on the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is available on our website: http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fasos.