Doctoral researcher (PhD student) in Visual Studies

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The University of Luxembourg aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, is known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is establishing itself as an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. The University`s core asset is its well-connected world-class academic staff which will attract the most motivated, talented and creative students and young researchers who will learn to enjoy taking up challenges and develop into visionary thinkers able to shape society.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed.

The faculty’s research and teaching focuses on social, economic, political and educational issues with the common goal of contributing to an inclusive, open and resourceful society. The FHSE offers four Bachelor and 15 Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.

The University of Luxembourg invites applications for the following position in its Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences:

Doctoral researcher (PhD student) in Visual Studies
(Focus: Visual Analysis of Paintings)

The successful candidate will work in a cotutelle between the University of Luxembourg and the University of Louvain-la-Neuve, within the international research project “Augmented Artwork Analysis” (AAA).

S/he will be based in the Institute of Romance, Media & Arts Studies (IRMA), within the Department of Humanities in the University of Luxembourg, under the supervision of Gian Maria Tore. S/he will work also with the Center for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH) and be a member of the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Luxembourg. S/he will regularly attend (the scientific activities of the Centre for Early Modern Cultural Analysis (GEMCA), in the University of Louvain-la-Neuve, under the supervision of Ralph Dekoninck.

The thesis will constitute a major contribution to the research project of an international and interdisciplinary team supported by the Fonds National de la Recherche – Luxembourg (FNR) and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche – France (ANR). Experts in Visual Studies, Digital Humanities, Design & Interface, and Artificial Intelligence will work to develop a device of augmented artwork analysis, for the Musée National d’Histoire et d’Art du Luxembourg (MNHA), the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, and the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille.

Your Role

• Cooperate in the international research project “Augmented Artwork Analysis” (AAA), conducted by the Universities of Lyon 2 and Luxembourg, jointly with the Universities of Louvain-la-Neuve and Liège
• Work at the digital catalogue of paintings of the Musée National d’Histoire et d’Art du Luxembourg (MNHA), the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, the palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
• Compare and question digital cataloguings of artworks, taking into account international open access archives
• Conduct independent research consisting in visual analysis of paintings of the museums mentioned below, in the perspective of the Digital Humanities
• Establish virtual connections between paintings, allowing a deep explanation of them and an innovative proposition for a “virtual museum” (to be built by means of a digital application that the AAA research group will develop)
• Present the researches below in a thesis, submitted within 4 years
• Attend at scientific conferences/meetings, doing presentations and publications (English and/or French)
• Assume administrative responsibilities within the research group, as well as the University of Luxembourg

Your Profile

• Excellent Master’s degree in Visual Studies, or Art History, or Visual Semiotics
• Knowledge of Art History, and especially early modern art
• Expertise in visual analysis
• Fluency in English and French
• Strong feeling for cooperation, exchanges and mobility
• Knowledge of issues in Digital Humanities will be considered as an important asset

We Offer

• An international, multi-lingual research environment
• Intensive mentorship
• Membership in a dynamic and deeply interdisciplinary research team
• Training in an institutional cooperation (working in close relation with several public museums)
• Training in issues of innovative and creative research, and applied science (for public utility)
• Personal workspace at the University of Luxembourg’s Belval Campus and organized stays at the University of Louvain-la-Neuve

In Short

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month – extendable up to 48 months if required
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Foreseen starting date: 15 April 2021
• Location: Belval
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL03944

Further Information

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Motivation Letter
• Digital copy of diploma certificates and MA transcript(s)
• Names and contact details of two academic referees

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

Here’s what awaits you at the University

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. WiFi on campus. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure.
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

• Find out more about the University
• Addresses, maps & routes to the various sites of the University

Further information

For further information, please contact: Dr Gian Maria Tore (gian-maria.tore@uni.lu)