The Cultural History section of the Department of History and Art History, in collaboration with the Utrecht University Museum and the Botanic Gardens, invites applications for a postdoctoral position on critical university heritage within the EU-HORIZON-funded project “Colonial Legacies of Universities: Materialities and New Collaborations” (COLUMN).
Your job
In recent years, universities and museums across Europe have become more attuned to their colonial entanglements and developed innovative approaches to reflect and deal with their colonial heritage, including the renaming of buildings and the decolonisation of curricula. Such steps have often, though not exclusively, been taken in collaboration with partners from former colonised countries. COLUMN brings together partners from the creative industries, seven European universities from the Coimbra network, and partner universities from across the globe to explore further how we can effectively decolonise university heritage. Through analyses of anthropological collections, botanic gardens, university campuses, and intangible heritage practices, COLUMN aims to develop policy recommendations and good practices for decolonial and inclusive collaborations around European university heritage.
As a postdoctoral researcher you will join a team of scholars from the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa and Suriname. You will contribute to two co-curated heritage interventions:
- Building on completed ethnographic and historical research, the first intervention will be an exhibit that presents the complex colonial history of physical anthropology (plaster casts) in the Dutch Indies. This will be in collaboration with other scholars (Prague, Pretoria and Bologna), an exhibition design studio, curators from the University Museum Utrecht, and funded curators from Indonesia. The aim is to develop a presentation that is both academically grounded and accessible to a broad public, inviting critical reflection and dialogue.
- In collaboration with another UU postdoctoral researcher, the Botanic Garden of Utrecht, a Surinamese artist-in-residence, an exhibition design studio and Surinamese colleagues, a heritage education intervention will be developed. Just as in the first intervention, the historical research will have been completed. This intervention will also include educational programming aimed at public engagement.
As a postdoc, you will not bear the full weight of the interventions, as they are team efforts carried out by a large team of scholars and curators. You will be primarily responsible for incorporating a critical heritage and museology perspective. You will assist in developing a new curatorial approach and visual discourse that critically addresses the coloniality of the aforementioned heritage objects and sites, and invite meaningful engagement from museum visitors and other public stakeholders.
In the first year, you will contribute to two literature surveys inventorying current curatorial practices surrounding physical anthropology collections and botanic gardens. Subsequently, based on this critical evaluation of existing practices and historical research conducted by other team members, new approaches will be developed for integration into the two small heritage interventions.
Your qualities
This position may be the right fit for you, if you:
- have a PhD in Museology, Heritage Studies, History or a related discipline;
- have experience with public engagement and curation;
- have experience and/or affinity with arts-based research;
- have the ambition to contribute to academic publications on the topic;
- have experience and/or affinity with collaboration with Indonesian and/or Surinamese peers;
- are fluent in English with excellent writing and presentation skills.
Knowledge of Dutch is not a requirement, as is knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia or Sranantongo. However, knowledge of at least one of these is preferred.
Our offer
- A temporary position for 12 months, with the possibility of an extension of 18 months (30 months in total);
- a working week of 30.4 - 32 hours and a gross monthly salary of €4,537 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 11 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.
About us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.
You will have a dual appointment at the Department of History and Art History and the University Museum Utrecht. You will become part of a vibrant community of scholars in the Cultural History Group at Utrecht’s Department of History and Art History, who explore colonial history, the history of knowledge, and heritage in the broadest sense of the word. Other project members include Dr. Mette Bruinsma (PI), Dr. Richard Calis (PI), and dr. Gertjan Plets (Project Leader), colleagues from the Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, as well as a postdoc and senior researcher at the universities of Bologna and Suriname. At the University Museum Utrecht, you will collaborate with experienced curators, exhibition designers and public programming experts who are committed to making the history of science and coloniality accessible to broad audiences through exhibitions, events and educational activities.
More information
For more information, please contact Dr. Gertjan Plets (Project Leader) at [email protected]
Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
To apply, please upload the following documents (in .docx or .pdf format) via the 'apply now' button:
- your curriculum vitae, also containing at least two names and contact details of people who can give references;
- your motivation letter, in which you describe your interest and expertise for the position;
- a recent publication or representative chapter from your dissertation.
The first round of online interviews will take place on 4 September 2025.
