Research Associate (Art Collections Department)

Teylers Museum is seeking a Research Associate

 Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. It is a unique 18th-century institution of learning, housed in its original building. The museum is the place to marvel at art and science and boasts a fascinating collection of fossils, minerals, books, coins, medals, scientific instruments, paintings, and drawings of international significance. Recently, the beautifully restored home of founder Pieter Teyler has also opened to the public. We organize diverse and successful exhibitions, ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Dinomakers, from Vogelpracht to Hockney’s Eye.

Job Description

Teylers Museum has a long tradition of publishing catalogs of the drawings in its collection. Following the volumes on Dutch and Italian drawings from the 16th and 17th centuries, it is now time for the inventory catalog of drawings by artists born between 1631 and 1739. This volume, which will cover more than 1,200 sheets, is the largest and most comprehensive in the series. It comprises one of the world’s most important collections of 18th-century Dutch drawing, featuring works by Jacob de Wit, Cornelis Troost, the La Fargue family, and Aert Schouman.  

For this project, we are looking for an enthusiastic, efficient, and meticulous research assistant who wants to work at an organization with an informal culture, as part of a small, friendly team.

Main responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will include creating object descriptions; conducting literature and provenance research; and assisting the curator with other tasks related to the drawings inventory.

What do we offer?

A dynamic workplace in the heart of Haarlem, as part of a talented team · The opportunity to develop your skills through training courses and to make a difference in our organization · A 24-hour-per-week position, with appropriate terms of employment in accordance with the Museum Collective Labor Agreement · The position is classified in pay scale 10 (a salary between €3,368 and €4,406 gross per month based on a full-time (36-hour) workweek. This includes a structural increase of 5% effective November 1, 2022) · The position is funded by a grant and is therefore temporary for the time being. Initially, a one-year employment contract will be offered.

Profile

• You have a university-level education and way of thinking
• You have an affinity for working on paper and experience handling drawings;
• You have experience researching and describing objects;
• You are detail-oriented and able to work independently;
• You enjoy the challenge of gathering as much documentation, literature, and provenance information as possible through various channels.

Comment

Are you interested? Please send us your resume and a cover letter in which you address the following questions:

• Can you give an example of similar art-historical research that you’re proud of? What made it successful, and what would you do differently next time?
• What evidence do you have that you can work accurately and efficiently?

Please send your resume and a cover letter by February 26, 2023, to: vacatures@teylersmuseum.nl, with the subject line “Research Assistant Position.” For more information about the position, please contact Terry van Druten, Chief Curator of Art Collections: tvandruten@teylersmuseum.nl.

Teylers Museum is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and to being an open organization where people feel comfortable and safe. We strongly encourage anyone who can contribute to this mission to get in touch.