Application deadline: 14.07.2017 - Reference number: 0201EU/17

The TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences) offers a fulltime PhD research position time-limited to 31.07.2019 with an option for extension at Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences (Germany) starting at the earliest possible date.

The NACCA programme, coordinated by Maastricht University, is a Marie Curie Innovative Training Network project, funded by the European Union. In total, 15 PhD projects are part of the programme, each investigating different, as yet under-explored aspects of contemporary art conservation. The research project will focus on the topic: The role of conservation sciences in the authentication of modern and contemporary art works.

Job description

A significant part of European cultural heritage, modern and contemporary art, runs a great risk of getting lost for future generations, because it is particularly difficult to preserve. Proper care requires resolving fundamental questions concerning the identity, values and authenticity of modern and contemporary artworks and the consequences for their conservation, rethinking historically grown professional distinctions as those between the curator and the conservator, re-organizing the institutional ecosystem, and establishing frameworks for international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and training collaboration.

The research and training programme New Approaches in the Conservation of Contemporary Art (NACCA) aims at meeting these demands by educating a new generation of professional curators, conservators and academic researchers who are properly equipped to face these challenges. The programme is designed by experts working in museums, heritage organisations and universities that have a profound experience in the field of contemporary art conservation and conservation research. It consists of a research and a training part, which are closely connected and mutually inform each other. It will focus on the development of a reflective professional attitude, which is a pre-requisite in the increasingly complex and collaborative field of contemporary art conservation.

The PhD project will aim to provide the basis for the establishment of standards for procedures to establish authenticity. One of Germany’s greatest art scandals, the Beltracchi forgery case (2012), made clear that there is a need to define the role of ‘scientific analysis’ in the context of the complex authentication processes of modern and contemporary art. This research project will analyze a representative number of case studies where authenticity is doubted. Furthermore, cases will be analyzed where common authentication practices failed. The aim of this PhD project will be to compare recent methodologies and techniques in the field of conservation sciences, to explore the relationship between methods derived from the humanities and those derived from the natural sciences, and to define the roles of conservators and conservation scientists in establishing and approving authenticity of modern and contemporary art works.

Central to these investigations is to establish and clearly communicate the possibilities and limitations of art technological and scientific analysis to other stakeholders in that process and to support collectors and museums in their decision-making processes. Perspectives of various participants in the processes such as artists, estates, dealers, collectors and conservators will be considered.

Supervisors of the project are Prof. Dr. Gunnar Heydenreich (TH Köln) in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Ella Hendriks (University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Erma Hermens (Rijksmuseum Amsterdam).

Requirements
• Education Level:
- a relevant master’s degree, e. g. in conservation-restoration, conservation sciences, art history or museum studies, or an equivalent academic degree
• Eligibility Criteria: You must fulfil the definition of an Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) set by the European Commission. ESRs shall, at the time of recruitment by the host organization, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited. Part-time research experience will be counted pro-rata.
• Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment by the host organisation, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to taking up the position. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. Applications from all nationalities are accepted.

Mandatory Skills/Qualifications
• The ability to speak, read and write in English
• High scholarly abilities, as testified by your previous academic record, particularly by the quality of your master’s-level thesis
• A proven experience in conducting research in the fields of art technology/natural sciences and art history/humanities
• A proven interest in contemporary art will be considered as a great advantage
• Strong analytical capacity
• Creativity and high level of independency
• Good organisational skills and high motivation
• Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and highly international environment
• Willingness and proven ability to work in a team
• Willingness to relocate to (the vicinity of) Cologne

Conditions of employment
• We offer a full-time PhD contract limited to 31.07.2019 with an option for extension. The position provides an opportunity for a PhD candidate to research the subject. We do not expect graduation within this period.
• TH Köln was awarded the logo “HR Excellence in Research” by the European Commission for its commitment to create excellent working conditions for researchers, and to promote academic careers. The university is currently implementing all principles laid down in the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
• We offer a dynamic and challenging job in an internationally-oriented organisation within a congenial, open working environment.
• You will participate in the research training sessions in the framework of the NACCA ITN Marie Curie project.
• Financial conditions: 3072,68 €/month living allowance + 600€/month mobility allowance + 500 €/month family allowance (if relevant). These amounts are gross amounts, subject to taxation according to each host institution national law. Consequently, the net salary results from deducting all compulsory (employer/employee) social security contributions as well as direct taxes (e.g. income tax) and insurance from these gross amounts.

Position-related questions to
Prof. Dr. Gunnar Heydenreich
T: + 49 221-8275-3837
gunnar.heydenreich@th-koeln.de

How to apply
Please send your application to katharina.hallet@th-koeln.de, submitting the following documents:
- a CV
- a letter of motivation
- a certified copy of your Master certificate and list of grades (with certified translation for languages other than English or German)
- certificates to prove your work or study activities in the last four years
- Non-native English speakers or applicants who have their MA degree in a language other than English must have one of the following language qualifications: pass the Academic IELTS (minimum score: 7.5) or TOEFL Internet-based test (minimum score: 113).

Applications from women are particularly encouraged. In accordance with the North Rhine-Westphalian Equal Opportunities Act, women will be given priority consideration if deemed equally suited, qualified, and in possession of equal professional achievements. Severely disabled persons with equal qualifications will also be treated preferentially.

We offer our researchers an inspirational work environment. Technology, Arts, Sciences reflects our academic diversity, our interdisciplinary approach, and our internationality. With this concept we consider ourselves a model for the future in teaching and research. We foster a culture of enablement and cooperation between colleagues. International scientific standards, gender equality and inclusion are the guiding principles of our human resources development. We are a certified family-friendly university.