Postgraduate Associateships for Broadening Access in Cultural Heritage Research
For the Fall of 2022, Yale University’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) seeks two postgraduate associates who will support projects that advance the IPCH’s mission of preserving and interpreting artistic and material culture from around the globe. These year-long, paid positions are intended for recent college graduates who have a strong interest in pursuing graduate study in a discipline related to cultural heritage (e.g., history of art, museum studies, art conservation, conservation science, information and library science, etc.).
The postgraduate associates will be based in one of the following IPCH research groups: the Applied Research and Outreach (ARO), the Lens Media Lab (LML), or the Technical Studies Lab (TSL). Descriptions of each group can be found below. Applicants should specify in their cover letter which group they would like to work with and how this experience will support their educational and professional goals. Though pursuing research within a specific group, the appointees will be fully integrated into the broader activities of the Institute, including outreach, programming, communications and social media, fundraising, and teaching.
IPCH Research Group Descriptions
Applied Research and Outreach extends the resources of IPCH to committed partners outside of Europe and North America with a goal of preservation and conservation capacity-building based in reciprocal, culturally appropriate practices.
Desirable Expertise: Some familiarity with the socio-economic and cultural factors that shape the heritage sector on the African Continent; background in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, project management, and online program design and delivery.
Training Opportunities: Methods for conducting research in an international context; international communications; needs assessment; and complex program design/logistics.
The Lens Media Lab focuses on the preservation and characterization of photographic materials with an emphasis on creating and interpreting large datasets derived from reference, archival, and museum collections.
Desirable Expertise: Interest in and knowledge of the history of photography; background in signal processing, programming, metrology, interface design, and/or hardware and software development.
Training Opportunities: Methods for data collection, processing, interpretation, and visualization; research practices in technical art history and art conservation; handling of cultural heritage objects; contributing to programming and peer-reviewed publications.
The Technical Studies Lab uses imaging and materials analysis to address questions related to objects in Yale collections that emerge in the course of scholarly research, teaching, conservation treatment, and exhibition.
Desirable Expertise: Interest in the materials and technologies used in the creation of library and museum collections. Interest in changes in material properties due to aging and degradation. Background in physical sciences (chemistry, materials science, physics, biochemistry), interest in or experience with data analysis and programming.
Training Opportunities: Instrumental materials analysis methods along with data interpretation in the context of historical technologies and degradation; research practices in technical art history and art conservation; handling of cultural heritage objects and samples; contributing to dissemination through programming and peer-reviewed publications.
How to Apply
As an equal opportunity employer, the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage seeks a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join the Yale community. Applicants from underrepresented groups in their chosen field are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should send a CV and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) to Katherine.mintie@yale.edu. The cover letter should identify which IPCH research group the applicant would like to work with and how this experience will support his/her/their educational and professional goals. Applications must be received by March 1, 2022. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Applications will be notified about the outcome of their application by late April.
Additional Information:
Salary: $42,000. In addition, IPCH offers reimbursement of allowable relocation costs up to $3000.
Benefits: This position includes health and dental benefits.
