Post-doctoral Researcher in Art History

University of Zurich’s Institute of Art History invites applications for two four-year positions as post-doctoral researcher interested in examining circulations between the continents in the early modern era of globalization (1500–1700).

The post-docs will be part of Prof. Dr. Raphaèle Preisinger’s research project “GLOBECOSAL: Global Economies of Salvation. Art and the Negotiation of Sanctity in the Early Modern Period”, funded by the ERC (European Research Council) and the SNSF (Swiss National Science Foundation). The project investigates how artworks were employed in the process of negotiating sanctity with the Roman Curia in the age of Iberian hegemony by examining the artworks produced with regard to the pioneers of Catholic blesseds and saints in the post-Tridentine ‘global’ context. For further information see: https://www.khist.uzh.ch/de/kol/preisinger/research.html

Your responsibilities

The two post-doctoral researchers pursue their own research agendas in the context of the project, examining cases of failed attempts at beatification or canonization connected to either the Viceroyalty of Peru or to the context of early modern mission in South or Southeast Asia. Work on the project involves traveling. Participation in all of the project’s activities, including support for project-related research, organizational and administrative tasks, and residency in Zurich are expected. The post-docs disseminate the results of their research by presenting at academic conferences and by publishing in top outlets.

Your profile

The successful candidates should hold a PhD in Early Modern or Global Art History and should have the ability to produce excellent academic research. A further requirement for a successful application is an excellent level of English and a very good level of either Portuguese or Spanish. Knowledge of German is not required at the moment of application, but successful candidates should acquire basic skills in due time.

We offer

The salary is approximately 58.000 CHF/year (60% employment contract) and 77.000 CHF/year (80% employment contract in the third or fourth year of employment). Funding for research activities (travel) is available. We offer opportunities for professional development (participation in conferences and publications, workshops with experts in the field) in an inspiring environment, working within a research team welcoming an interdisciplinary outlook. Diversity and inclusion are important to us.

Place of work

University of Zurich located in the heart of Zurich, Switzerland.

Start of employment

The two post-doctoral positions start at the earliest possible mutually agreed date. Please submit your application by April 15, 2021, indicating which of the two post-doctoral positions you are applying for (the one centering on the Viceroyalty of Peru or on early modern mission in South or Southeast Asia).

Further information

Prof. Dr. Raphaèle Preisinger, raphaele.preisinger@khist.uzh.ch

E-Mail address where the application has to be sent to

Please send your application electronically as one pdf-file comprising your motivation letter, a detailed CV, list of publications (if applicable), copies of obtained degrees, a writing sample (a chapter of the PhD dissertation or an article) and the contact details of two references to the following e-mail address: ges-applications@khist.uzh.ch