Postdoctoral Research Fellow in African Art
$65,000–$65,000 year
HybridPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Job Summary
Conduct in-depth research on 135 African objects in the Barnes collection, tracing provenance and integrating technical conservation studies to place items in their cultural and historical contexts. Collaborate with the conservation department to build object narratives and disseminate findings through public lectures, website materials, and teaching courses for the adult education program. Facilitate engagement with source communities by organizing scholars' days and consulting primary sources at area museums and libraries. Update the TMS database with new documentation and meet quarterly with the Director of Research and Interpretation to review progress. This two-year position begins October 1, 2026, in a hybrid setting at the Barnes Philadelphia campus.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in Art History with a specialization African art
- Comparable experience to Ph.D. in Art History with a specialization African art
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience using archival collections
- Experience working with objects
- Clearances: Criminal Background-National
- Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies
- Ability to move to access files, equipment or supplies
- Extended time on the computer
- Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference
- Communicate with others in conversational and written English
- Conducts research on African art in the Barnes permanent collection
- Conducts provenance research
- Studies the original meanings and function of objects
- Works collaboratively with the conservation department to study each object's technical and material qualities
- Travels to area museums and libraries to consult primary and secondary sources
- Meets quarterly with the Director of Research and Interpretation to analyze findings and review progress
- Produces accessible interpretive materials for the website based on research gathered
- Delivers public lectures
- Teaches courses for the adult education program
- Trains volunteers and staff about objects in the collection through gallery talks and lectures
- Regularly updates database (TMS) with new documentation and findings based on standards developed by the Research Coordinator
- Works collaboratively with Collections
- Works collaboratively with Archives
- Works collaboratively with Library
- Works collaboratively with Conservation
- Works collaboratively with Education
- Communicates with colleagues in the field
- Prepares for work assignments and meetings
- Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through
- Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment
- Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position
- Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output
- Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role
- Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions
- Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment
- Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas
- Sets a good example for others
- Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication
- Makes decisions
- Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach
- Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making
- Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others
- Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with collections management databases
- Experience with TMS
- museum experience
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