FNS PhD in Art History, with a Component in French and/or Comparative Literature 15th-17th c.

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

The Art History Section of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Lausanne is announcing a doctoral position in the field of art history of Northwestern European regions in the 15th to 17th centuries.
Co-supervised in collaboration with the French Section (Medieval Studies track), the thesis also falls within the realm of French / Comparative literature of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.

Job information

Expected start date in position : September 1, 2024 
Contract length : 1 year, renewable once for 3 years
Activity rate : 100%
Workplace : Lausanne-Dorigny

Your responsibilities

According to Directive 1.31 of the University of Lausanne, the workload of an FNS doctoral student is dedicated to 85% for the completion of a doctoral thesis and 15% for research and teaching activities within the affiliated section.
As part of their thesis, the doctoral student will be responsible for specific research on the art of portraiture and its relationship with the present time in textual and visual arts of Northwestern European regions from the 15th to the 17th centuries.
The thesis's main objective will be to establish and study a textual and iconographic corpus to understand the reasons and manners in which new ways of thinking and practicing literary and artistic portraiture developed between the late 14th and 17th centuries, linking it to the present time: human, individual, and collective representations anchored in current affairs, contemporary issues, the present moment, etc. 

Note: The corpus of textual sources will primarily be in French. It may eventually be enriched with comparisons with texts dating from the same period in at least one of the following languages: Dutch, English, German.

International mobility may be required depending on research needs.

The doctoral student will be affiliated with the Center for Medieval and Post-Medieval Studies at the Faculty of Arts of UNIL, providing a particularly conducive and stimulating working environment.

General Information about the Project

Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the Sinergia project "Capturing the Present in Northwestern Europe (1348-1648): A Cultural History of Present before the Age of Presentism" explores how the concept of "present" was perceived and experienced in Northwestern Europe from the Middle Ages to early modernity. This geographical area, which includes the Netherlands, the western Holy Roman Empire, northern France, and southern England, underwent significant changes during this period in politics, economics, religion, and the arts. Characterized by the coexistence of various political systems and languages, significant urban development, and rapidly evolving living conditions, this region offers a unique historical context that differs from the traditional depiction of the Renaissance. The Capturing the Present project brings together around fifteen researchers from the universities of Neuchâtel, Lausanne, and Lille, including 6 PhD candidates and 3 postdoctoral researchers. The team is supported by an international network of experts in history, art and literary history, linguistics, media studies, anthropology, and political science. Its aim is to demonstrate how discourses and images shaped the perceptions that men and women of that time had of their own era; how contemporary events were represented and interpreted; and how new ideas, as well as environmental, political, and societal changes, were perceived.

Your qualifications

Master's degree in Art History and/or French and/or Comparative Literature, specializing in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, or Early Modern Period (15th-17th century), or equivalent qualification. A Master's degree must be obtained at the time of employment commencement.
Excellent command of French (native or equivalent), proficiency in English (spoken) desired.
Ability to read at least one of the following languages: Middle French, Middle Dutch, Middle English, Middle High German. 
Methodological expertise in literary analysis and/or image analysis. 
Ability to work in a team in an interdisciplinary and international environment.

 

What the position offers you

A pleasant working environment in a multicultural and diverse academic setting. Opportunities for professional development, a variety of activities, and other benefits to explore. More information at www.unil.ch/careers  
The doctoral student may benefit from doctoral training offered by the University Conference of Western Switzerland (CUSO, https://www.cuso.ch).

Contact for further information

Contact: Professor Estelle Doudet: estelle.doudet@unil.ch

Your application

Deadline : May 1, 2024 

Interested individuals are requested to submit a complete application via the online system, in PDF or Word format, including: a cover letter, a Curriculum Vitae, copies of university diplomas, a chapter of the master's thesis, and/or equivalent scholarly work. 
The thesis topic is partially predefined within the framework of the collective project; it will be discussed and refined based on proposals from selected candidates for interviews, which will take place in May-June 2024. 

Only applications submitted through this site will be considered.

We appreciate your understanding.

 

Additional information

UNIL is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
www.unil.ch/egalite

UNIL supports early career researchers.
www.unil.ch/graduatecampus