The Rijksmuseum is the largest museum of the Netherlands. The collection contains 1 million (art) objects from and relating to the Netherlands from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. The museum receives over two million visitors a year with a stunning building, surprising decor, beautiful exhibitions, lively events and many pleasant facilities for young and old.
As of 1 November 2017, the department of History is looking for a:
Junior Curator for the exhibition on Slavery
32 hours per week
Information about the position
The junior curator will work in conjunction with two curators on the implementation of an exhibition on Slavery, which will open in the autumn of 2020. The exhibition will centre around ten personal stories of enslaved people, but will also include information on others involved, such as sailors, planters and traders. It will focus on the Netherlands’ involvement in worldwide slavery, not just transatlantic slave trade. The candidate therefore needs to have a broad understanding of the concept of slavery.
The position involves tasks such as conducting substantive research into proposed objects for the exhibition, contributing to the catalogue, giving guided tours during the exhibition, considering the role of colonial objects in the slavery narrative, ensuring that the historical narrative is not told exclusively from a Western perspective, and suggesting how non-traditional sources, such as oral history, could be used in the exhibition. The junior curator will also be expected to suggest ways to engage the widest possible audience and put forward ideas on how the Rijksmuseum can act as a platform that stimulates debates on slavery. The topic of slavery prompts various forms of audience involvement. The junior curator will therefore also be asked to consider the possible ways in which advice, questions and other responses can be documented in the run-up to and during the exhibition.
Requirements
- A recent academic graduate, specialized between history and cultural studies.
- Proven knowledge of the subject of slavery, preferably slavery in Asia and/or South Africa.
- Experience in writing both comprehensible and academic texts.
- Previous museum experience is not required; however, a strong interest in objects and affinity for using them as historical sources are required.
- In addition to a good command of spoken and written Dutch, the candidate must also have a command of modern languages.
- Team player, able to work independently, analytical, and focused on problem solving.
- A confident public speaker who knows how to convince others of his or her opinion.
Terms and conditions of employment
The position is for 32 hours per week for a period of three years (with a two month probationary period). The gross monthly salary for this position will be at least € 2,862, up to a maximum of € 3,744 (scale 10) based on 36 hours, excluding holiday allowance and year-end bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Museums applies.
Applying from outside the EU and EEA
Please note: when you are having a non-EU/EEA nationality, and do not hold a Dutch permanent residence permit, or a Dutch permit that allows you to work without a work permit, we can only consider your application when you are exactly meeting the requirements for a residence permit as a knowledge migrant (below 30) or as an orientation year highly educated persons. The requirements for these permits are specified on https://ind.nl/en/work/pages/looking-for-a-job-after-study-promotion-or-research.aspx and https://ind.nl/en/pages/income.aspx.
Further information / applications
If you have any questions regarding the application procedure, please contact Lieke Boers, HR department, on +31(0)20-6747304. If you have any questions regarding the position, please contact Martine Gosselink, Head of the department of History, on: +31 (0)20-6747211.
Please visit our website for more information about the museum www.rijksmuseum.nl.
Please submit your application in Dutch or English (including a covering letter, CV, two reference letters and, if applicable, a list of publications) by at the latest, using the application form. Applications will only be considered if they have been submitted using the application form.