Postes à pourvoir : « PhD student and Postdoc Position » (Leiden University)

The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) will be
funding the Horizon research project ‘Knowledge and Culture’. This
project will be carried out as a collaboration between the Leiden
University Centre for Linguistics (LUCL), the Leiden University Centre
for Arts in Society (LUCAS), the Meertens Institute (KNAW), and the
University of Amsterdam (UvA). The Leiden University Centre for
Linguistics (LUCL) of the Faculty of Humanities at Leiden University
will be coordinating the research project.

Within this project we are looking for:

A PhD STUDENT IN ART HISTORY
(4 years, 38 hrs a week)

A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN ART HISTORY
(3 years, 38 hrs a week)

(Please scroll down for Postdoc position)

A PhD student in art history

1. Background
In various domains of cognitive science, a new paradigm holds that
humans and non-human animals are born with a small set of hard-wired
cognitive abilities that are task-specific, language-independent, and
non-species-specific. These core knowledge systems are innate
cognitive skills that have the capacity for building mental
representations of objects, persons, spatial relationships,
numerosity, and social interaction. In addition to core knowledge
systems, humans possess species-specific, uniquely human abilities
such as language and music.
The ‘core knowledge’ paradigm challenges scholars in the humanities to
ask the question how nurture and culture build on nature. This project
examines the way in which innate, non specifically human, core
knowledge systems for object representation, number, and geometry
constrain cultural expressions in music, language, and the visual
arts. In this research program, four domains of the humanities will be
investigated from the point of view of core knowledge:
– subproject 1: music cognition
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr H. Honing)
– subproject 2: language and number
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr S. Barbiers)
– subproject 3: visual arts and geometry
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleaders: Prof.dr.ir M. Delbeke &
Prof.dr C. van Eck)
– subproject 4: poetry, rhythm, and meter (1PhD student, 1 Postdoc)
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr M. van Oostendorp)

2. PhD-project: Universal decorative patterns and geometrical core
knowledge
As a part of the subproject on visual arts and geometry, this project
seeks to establish what universals in decorative patterns can teach us
about aspects of geometric core knowledge and of the geometric systems
building on core knowledge. This research will be informed by existing
research on the acquisition of geometric concepts in young children.
This project is therefore radically interdisciplinary, bringing
together expertise from anthropology, art history, developmental
psychology and the acquisition of geometry.

3. Embedding
The PhD-student will participate in and contribute to a research team
comprising a total of 4 PhD students and 4 Postdocs in four teams
corresponding to the subprojects outlined above. The entire project is
coordinated by Prof.dr. Johan Rooryck at Leiden University. The PhD
student will work in the research institutes LUCL (Prof.dr. Johan
Rooryck) and LUCAS (Prof.dr. Caroline van Eck, Prof.dr.ir. Maarten
Delbeke) at Leiden University. The project will start on 1 February
2013. For more information, please see the full description of the
project at :
http://vacatures.leidenuniv.nl/wetenschappelijk/12-254-postdoctoral-researcher-in-art-history-.html

4. Your profile
We are looking for someone who:
– holds a Master’s or equivalent degree in art or architectural
history. Students who are close to finishing their Master’s program
are also welcome to apply.
– has a demonstrable interest in the general topic of this Horizon
program, as well as in the sub-project proper, in particular the
psychological aspects of pattern recognition.
– has a Master’s thesis that shows evidence of expertise in recent
developments in psychological and art-historical views on the
embodied nature of perception, and its anthropological aspects,
– has a keen interest in cognitive science, experimental methods, and
core knowledge systems,
– is eager to expand his/her knowledge and skills in all of these
fields,
– has a curious, enterprising, and creative mind as well as excellent
analytical and organizational skills,
– has an excellent command of both spoken and written English, as well
as outstanding writing skills,
– has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, as
well as the ambition to pursue an academic career in an
internationally oriented scientific context.

5. Your tasks
The successful candidate will:
– conduct original research in line with both the general research
project and the PhD-project described above,
– complete a PhD thesis in 4 years,
– present intermediate research results at (international)
conferences,
– submit research results for publication in peer-reviewed academic
journals,
– assist in teaching activities in the second and third year of the
appointment,
– participate in the programme’s research activities and and their
organization, including reading and discussions groups, seminars,
conferences, workshops, and joint publications at LUCL and LUCAS,
– collaborate with the researchers in the other teams of the
programme.

6. Research at LUCL and LUCAS
Leiden University has a longstanding tradition in research in the
world’s languages and features unique linguistic expertise. LUCL
combines current theoretical insights and modern experimental methods
in its research profile area ‘Language Diversity in the World’. For
more information, see:
http://www.research.leiden.edu/research-profiles/language-diversity/

At LUCAS, the research group around Prof.dr. Caroline van Eck and
Prof.dr.ir Maarten Delbeke focuses on meaning, perception, and
interpretation in the visual arts and architecture; interactions
between classical rhetoric and the visual arts; architectural theory
of the classical tradition; and primitivism, that is the return to
origins to understand the cultural meaning of architecture in the
present. For more information, see:
http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/lucas/

7. Context and conditions
We offer a dynamic, enthusiastic, inspiring and supportive working
environment. Our focus will be on training you to be a top-notch
independent scientist. In addition to thorough research training, the
graduate schools of both universities offer a variety of courses aimed
at training of professional and personal skills. In addition, advanced
courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by various national
research schools.

The project will run for four years and must lead to the completion of
a PhD thesis. We will offer an initial contract of 18 months, which is
extended with an additional 30 months after a positive evaluation of
your research skills, initial results, and compatibility. The
appointment will be under the terms of the CAO (collective labour
agreement) of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary is set
on € 2,042.- in the first year up to € 2,612.- gross per month in year
four. Benefits include a pension build-up, an annual holiday premium
of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%. Non-Dutch nationals may be
eligible for a substantial tax break (30% ruling).

8. Application
Applicants are kindly requested to submit the following documents
electronically (in English):
– A cover letter in which you motivate your candidacy,
– A curriculum vitae,
– References: the contact details of two people whom we may contact
for further information. One of these should be your MA-thesis
supervisor,
– Copies of your academic transcripts (or Dutch cijferlijst),
– Copies of your MA thesis, and any other publication in English that
is representative of your research qualities.
– A short essay (c. 2000 words) in which you describe how you envisage
doing the research and writing the thesis. This should consist of a
table of contents of the thesis, with a paragraph for each chapter
summarizing its contents, a list of sources and bibliography, and a
workplan.

Please submit these documents in two files:
I – containing documents 1 to 4 ( PDF or Word file,) using your last
name underscore 1 as document name (e.g. BROWN_1.pdf).
II – containing document 5 (PDF or Word file), using your last name
underscore 2 as document name (e.g. BROWN_2.pdf).
If the documents are not in the requested format, the application will
not be taken into account.

For further information on these projects please contact: Prof.dr
Caroline van Eck c.a.van.eck@hum.leidenuniv.nl, prof.dr.ir Maarten
Delbeke Maarten.Delbeke@ugent.be, or Prof.dr. Johan Rooryck
j.e.c.v.rooryck@hum.leidenuniv.nl; or with respect to practical
matters Ms Gea Hakker, g.c.hakker@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Applicants should submit their application (documents as described
above) before
23 November 2012. Applications should be sent to
vacatureslucl@hum.leidenuniv.nl, clearly indicating the application
number. The selection procedure will take place in December 2012, and
selected candidates can expect to be invited for an interview in
December 2012 or January 2013

—

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN ART HISTORY
(3 years, 38 hrs a week)

1. Background
In various domains of cognitive science, a new paradigm holds that
humans and non-human animals are born with a small set of hard-wired
cognitive abilities that are task-specific, language-independent, and
non-species-specific. These core knowledge systems are innate
cognitive skills that have the capacity for building mental
representations of objects, persons, spatial relationships,
numerosity, and social interaction. In addition to core knowledge
systems, humans possess species-specific, uniquely human abilities
such as language and music.
The ‘core knowledge’ paradigm challenges scholars in the humanities to
ask the question how nurture and culture build on nature. This project
examines the way in which innate, non specifically human, core
knowledge systems for object representation, number, and geometry
constrain cultural expressions in music, language, and the visual
arts. In this research program, four domains of the humanities will be
investigated from the point of view of core knowledge:
– subproject 1: music cognition
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr H. Honing)
– subproject 2: language and number
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr S. Barbiers)
– subproject 3: visual arts and geometry
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleaders: Prof.dr.ir M. Delbeke &
Prof.dr C. van Eck)
– subproject 4: poetry, rhythm, and meter (1PhD student, 1 Postdoc)
(1PhD student, 1 Postdoc, teamleader: Prof.dr M. van Oostendorp)

2. Postdoc project: Basic proportional patterns and geometrical core
knowledge
As a part of the subproject on visual arts and geometry, this project
will investigate the relation between basic proportional patterns and
geometrical core knowledge. Do simple proportional patterns indeed
possess the universality that has always been claimed for them, and
what is their connection with geometrical core knowledge? Research in
this project will include fieldwork with the Batammaliba in Benin, who
have a rich architectural lexicon, as opposed to the Amazonian
Munduruku, who lack precise geometrical terms (Dehaene’s et al 2006,
Science, 311(5759), 381–384). The main research question of this
project is how the Batammaliba geometrical lexicon affects their
perception of space.

3. Embedding
The Postdoc will participate in and contribute to a research team
comprising a total of 4 PhD students and 4 Postdocs in four teams
corresponding to the subprojects outlined above. The entire project is
coordinated by Prof.dr. Johan Rooryck at Leiden University. The
Postdoc will work in the research institutes LUCL (Prof.dr. Johan
Rooryck) and LUCAS (Prof.dr. Caroline van Eck, Prof.dr.ir. Maarten
Delbeke) at Leiden University. The project will start on 1 February
2013. For more information, please see the full description of the
project at
http://www.hum.leiden.edu/lucl/job-opportunities/vacancies-at-leiden–
university.html

4. Your profile
We are looking for someone who:
– has completed a doctoral degree in architectural history or theory.
PhD
students who are close to defending their dissertation are also
welcome to apply. In addition, applications from MA students with
demonstrable expertise, as evidenced from their thesis or other
writings, are also welcomed.
– has demonstrable interest in the general topic of this Horizon
program, as well as in the sub-project proper, in particular with
respect to perception of space and proportion, and anthropological
approaches to architectural design and its perception,
– has a keen interest in cognitive science, experimental methods, and
core knowledge systems,
– has publications in peer-reviewed journals or with established
academic publishers,
– has a curious, enterprising, and creative mind as well as excellent
analytical and organizational skills,
– has an excellent command of both spoken and written English, as well
as outstanding writing and presentation skills,
– has the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, as
well as the ambition to pursue an academic career in an
internationally oriented scientific context.

5. Your tasks
The successful candidate will:
– conduct original research in line with both the general research
project and the Postdoc-project described above,
– present intermediate research results at (international)
conferences,
– submit research results for publication in peer-reviewed academic
journals,
– assist in teaching activities in the department of art history,
– participate in the programme’s research activities and and their
organization, including reading and discussions groups, seminars,
conferences, workshops, and joint publications.
– collaborate with the researchers in the other teams of the
programme.

6. Research at LUCL and LUCAS
Leiden University has a longstanding tradition in research in the
world’s languages and features unique linguistic expertise. LUCL
combines current theoretical insights and modern experimental methods
in its research profile area ‘Language Diversity in the World’. For
more information, see:
http://www.research.leiden.edu/research-profiles/language-diversity/

At LUCAS, the research group around Prof.dr. Caroline van Eck and
Prof.dr.ir Maarten Delbeke focuses on meaning, perception, and
interpretation in the visual arts and architecture; interactions
between classical rhetoric and the visual arts; architectural theory
of the classical tradition; and primitivism, that is the return to
origins to understand the cultural meaning of architecture in the
present. For more information, see:
http://www.hum.leidenuniv.nl/lucas/

7. Context and conditions
We offer a dynamic, enthusiastic, inspiring and supportive working
environment. In addition to thorough research training, the graduate
schools of both universities offer a variety of courses aimed at
training of professional and personal skills. In addition, advanced
courses to deepen scientific knowledge are offered by various national
research schools.

You can choose an appointment for three years at 1.0fte or for four
years at 0.75fte. The Postdoc project must result in the publication
of a minimum of three articles. The appointment will be under the
terms of the CAO (collective labour agreement) of the Dutch
Universities. The gross monthly salary ranges from € 2977.- in the
first year up to a maximum of € 3530.- gross per month, depending on
experience and qualifications. Benefits include a pension build-up, an
annual holiday premium of 8% and an end-of-year premium of 8.3%.
Non-Dutch nationals may be eligible for a substantial tax break (30%
ruling).

8. Application
Applicants are kindly requested to submit the following documents
electronically (in English):
– A cover letter in which you motivate your candidacy,
– A curriculum vitae,
– References: the contact details of two people whom we may contact
for further information. One of these should be your PhD-thesis
supervisor,
– Copies of your PhD thesis, and any other publications in English
that are representative of your research qualities.
– A short essay (c. 2000 words) in which you describe how you envisage
carrying out the research. This should consist of a further
refinement of research questions, a provisional outline of the
articles you are aiming to write, a list of sources and bibliography,
and a workplan.
– If you are applying as an MA student: copies of your academic
transcripts (or Dutch cijferlijst); copies of your MA thesis and any
other publication in English; a short essay (c. 2000 words) in which
you describe how you envisage doing the research and writing the
thesis. This should consist of a table of contents of the thesis,
with a paragraph for each chapter summarizing its contents, a list of
sources and bibliography, and a workplan.

Please submit these documents in two files:
I – containing documents 1 to 4 ( PDF or Word file,) using your last
name underscore 1 as document name (e.g. BROWN_1.pdf).
II – containing document 5 (PDF or Word file), using your last name
underscore 2 as document name (e.g. BROWN_2.pdf).
If the documents are not in the requested format, the application will
not be taken into account.

For further information on these projects please contact: Prof.dr
Caroline van Eck c.a.van.eck@hum.leidenuniv.nl, prof.dr.ir Maarten
Delbeke Maarten.Delbeke@ugent.be, or Prof.dr. Johan Rooryck
j.e.c.v.rooryck@hum.leidenuniv.nl; or with respect to practical
matters Ms Gea Hakker, g.c.hakker@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Applicants should submit their application (documents as described
above) before
23 November 2012. Applications should be sent to
vacatureslucl@hum.leidenuniv.nl, clearly indicating the application
number. The selection procedure will take place in December 2012, and
selected candidates can expect to be invited for an interview in
December 2012 or January 2013.

Contact :
For further information on these projects please contact:
Prof.dr Caroline van Eck c.a.van.eck@hum.leidenuniv.nl
prof.dr.ir Maarten Delbeke Maarten.Delbeke@ugent.be
Prof.dr. Johan Rooryck j.e.c.v.rooryck@hum.leidenuniv.nl
or with respect to practical matters Ms Gea Hakker, g.c.hakker@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

URL de référence : http://vacatures.leidenuniv.nl/wetenschappelijk/12-254-postdoctoral-researcher-in-art-history-.html