JOB: 2 Joint-Fellowships “Provenance research“ (SM Berlin / Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations, Istanbul)


The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin ‒ Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SMB ‒ SPK) and Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (ANAMED) invite applications for two newly established SMB-ANAMED Joint Fellowships in Provenance Research (each 75%). The fellowships will support two post-doctoral scholars to conduct research on the circumstances of the excavation of archaeological objects from Sam’al, Didyma, and Samarra in the Ottoman Empire and their export to Berlin during the late 19th/early 20th century. Selected fellows will be expected to research the change of ownership of finds from the localities mentioned in Ottoman archives and to help establish a Turkish-German network of experts, exchange of data, and scientific contacts. The fellowships are funded with the generous support of the Deutsche Zentrum Kulturgutverluste (DZK, German Lost Art Foundation).

The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, with its numerous institutions that have evolved over generations, constitutes an encyclopedic museum, spread over many different sites, that aims to preserve, research, and display art treasures and cultural artifacts dating from all human history, and educate the public about their importance. The Staatliche Museen zu Berlin’s collections encompass the fields of European and non-European art, archaeology, and ethnology from virtually all nations, cultures, and periods.

ANAMED, located in Beyoğlu, İstanbul is dedicated to fostering research on the archaeology, art, heritage, and history of Anatolia through fellowships, exhibitions, symposia, publications, and library collections and services. Selected post-doctoral fellows will be formally affiliated with ANAMED and will reside at ANAMED in Istanbul.

QUALIFICATIONS

Successful applicants will have a strong combination of the following qualifications:

– PhD in a related field (i.e., archaeology, history, art history, heritage studies, museum studies, and/or related social sciences and humanities field(s) granted after 15 September 2018)

– Demonstrated expertise in Ottoman archival research on any of the above-mentioned fields

– Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills for working within teams

– Ability to work independently and to prioritize multiple, simultaneous projects

– Advanced proficiency in reading Ottoman Turkish and translating primary source materials from archives to both modern Turkish and English or German

– Ability to communicate effectively (written and spoken) in English and Turkish with project-related researchers as well as Koç University faculty, administration, staff, and students

– Reading or more advanced proficiency in German Sütterlin-/Current handwriting (and additionally, French) is preferred

– Flexibility in work schedule, as needed 

– No military obligations for Turkish candidates

– Readiness to travel to Berlin, likely twice

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The successful applicant will be provided accommodation in Istanbul, a fellowship stipend commensurate with experience, health benefits, a research account, and assorted other benefits.

TERM

The successful applicant will be ready to start the one-year fellowship on 25 September 2023. Fellowship term extension thereafter to a maximum of two years total is contingent on a review of project progress and available funding.

APPLICATION MATERIALS & SUBMISSION

Required application materials include the following:

(1) applicants should complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM: kocuniversitesi.formstack.com/forms/anamed_smb

(2) an application letter detailing the applicant’s relevant experience and motivation to participate in the research of this particular fellowship

(3) an updated Curriculum Vitae 

(4) the names and emails of two referees familiar with the applicant’s experience. Up to two relevant publications or writing samples are welcome, also.

Applicant materials must be submitted via the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM. Questions should be addressed to anamedapplication@ku.edu.tr.

Application review will commence on 31 May 2023 and continue until the position is filled, with an estimated fellowship start date of 25 September 2023.

Source of this call: hsozkult.de/grant/id/stip-136279.