The Laboratoire d’études et de recherche sur le monde anglophone, Aix-Marseille University (AMU), is shortly to commence a major academic research project, “Museums and industry: Long Histories of Collaboration” (MaILHoC). Working with partners in the UK, Spain, and Norway, the aim of the project is to explore the impacts of industrial patronage – with a particular focus on the ethical dimensions of this relationship – on European museums of science and industry in both comparative and historical context. The project will compare insights drawn from a wide spread of historical case studies with a range of contemporary workshops exploring the ethics of industrial patronage. This position is based at AMU’s Humanities Faculty in Aix-en-Provence. The successful candidate will carry out research in archives in France and Britain while also participating in events organised by the various partners.

Job Information

• Organisation/Company: Aix-Marseille Université
• Research Field: History
• Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2)
• Country: France
• Application Deadline: 28/02/2023 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) The deadline for applications may be extended but interviews must be completed by mid-March.
• Type of Contract: Temporary
• Job Status: Full-time
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Offer Starting Date: 22/5/2023
• Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? H2020
• Reference Number: JPI CH and SRIA 2020
• Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Laboratoire d’Études et de Recherche sur le Monde Anglophone, Aix-Marseille University (AMU), is shortly to commence a major academic research project, “Museums and Industry: Long Histories of Collaboration” (MaILHoC).

MaILHoC was a successful 600,000 EUR bid to the ‘heritage, society, and ethics’ call of the Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage (JPI CH) administered by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) in France. 

Working with partners in the UK, Spain, and Norway, as well as with the thinktank Demos and the University of London Press, the aim of the project is to explore the impacts of industrial patronage – with a particular focus on the ethical dimensions of this relationship – on European museums of science and industry in both comparative and historical context. The project will compare insights drawn from a wide spread of historical case studies (ranging from the construction of museum galleries to corporate science centres and the organisation of World Expos) with a range of contemporary workshops exploring the ethics of industrial patronage from a variety of perspectives.

Alongside the production of a range of scholarship, MaILHoC will also produce a thinktank style report, and promote a range of debates, discussions and workshops.

This position is based at AMU’s Humanities Faculty in Aix-en-Provence. Travel to archives in France and Britain will be required, as will participation in events organised by the various partners.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher you will bring knowledge and skills from history, history of science and technology, area studies, heritage or museum studies (or similar) to the project.

The strand of the project being developed in Aix will adopt a comparative approach focusing on France and the UK, therefore a high level of linguistic competence in both French and English is essential. You will need to be able to independently identify and master a complex set of archives, and to effectively communicate these findings with a multidisciplinary international team. The ability to work with a range of stakeholders (from curators to policy makers and patrons) and to communicate with a wide variety of public audiences would be ideal.

Main duties

• Under the supervision of the PI, scoping, selecting, and developing historical case studies examining the impact of industrial patronage on exhibition development, with an emphasis on international events such as World Expos and travelling exhibitions or corporate museums.
• Working with the other members of the research team to identify connections between the different international strands of research and to develop productive lines of inquiry within the project’s overall framework.
• Assisting with the development of ethics workshops.
• Attending regular project meetings and liaising with the other members of the project team, external partners and the project as a whole.
• Preparing and presenting findings of research activities to colleagues and at academic and practitioner events, including conferences and seminars.
• Publishing in relevant peer-reviewed publications, as well as contributing to a range of public and internal reports.
• Contributing to the public engagement activities of the project, including seminars, events, and workshops.

Requirements

Research Field: History

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Essential experience and skills

• Doctorate in the history of science and technology, contemporary history, museum or heritage studies, French / British studies, or related field.
• Publication of academic work in peer-reviewed books and journals.
• High level of competence in both French and English

Desirable criteria

• Familiarity with transnational and comparative methodologies.
• Experience of collaborative projects and of working with a range of stakeholders
• Experience of designing, organising and participating in events
• Experience of writing for a range of audiences

Specific Requirements

Soft skills:

• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills.
• The ability to work independently to initiate and complete specific projects within set deadlines.
• A willingness and ability to collaborate with others on research.

Additional Information

Benefits

• Salary: minimum 2051€/month, depending on experience
• The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal

Selection process

Please jointly send to: alice.byrne@univ-amu.fr and natacha.mauric@univ-amu.fr the following documents in pdf format:

• CV;
• Covering letter indicating how your previous experience relates to the MaILHoC project;
• The name, position and contact details of two referees.

before 28/02/2023 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris)

Interviews, either in-person or online, will be held in early March.