Postdoctoral Researcher in Japanese Art History / Postdoctoral Researcher in Japanese Art History

Job Opportunity at the University of Zurich

The University of Zurich, the largest university in Switzerland, invites applications for various engaging positions across a range of subject areas and professional fields. With a workforce of approximately 10,000 employees and offering 12 distinct professional apprenticeship streams, UZH provides an inspiring environment characterized by cutting-edge research and top-class education. We encourage you to put your talent and skills to work with us and discover more about UZH as an employer!

Your Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct an independent postdoctoral research project in Japanese Art History, aiming for further academic qualifications, including publications and conference presentations.
• Actively contribute to the Chair's research, teaching, and academic administration, focusing on Japanese Art History and Digital Art History.
• Teach 2-4 semester hours per week, typically corresponding to one or two courses per semester, using theoretical, methodological, and object-based formats in collaboration with museums and collections.
• Integrate digital methods into art-historical research and teaching, including the development of appropriate learning formats and research resources.
• Engage actively in the academic and organizational life of the Chair and the Department of Art History, participating in research projects, workshops, exhibitions, public events, and international collaborations.

Your Profile

• A PhD in Japanese Art History or a closely related discipline, with a clear specialization in Japanese Art History, either completed or nearing completion by the start date.
• A defined and original postdoctoral research project in Japanese Art History.
• A strong record of high-quality research that demonstrates potential for international scholarly recognition, supported by relevant publications and conference presentations.
• A demonstrable interest in integrating digital approaches into art-historical research and teaching, evidenced by relevant experience and training as well as well-defined plans for their implementation in the proposed research project and future teaching.
• Proficiency in Japanese sufficient for research with pertinent primary sources, alongside excellent spoken and written English.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in university-level teaching.
• Practical experience applying digital methods relevant to humanities or art-historical research, demonstrated through completed research projects, publications, or scholarly activities.
• Experience in museum or curatorial practice or collections research.
• Experience with collaborative or interdisciplinary research projects.
• Knowledge of German.

Position Overview

This position offers an opportunity to establish an independent postdoctoral research profile in a dynamic and internationally connected environment at the Chair of East Asian Art History and the University of Zurich (UZH). The successful candidate will become a vital member of the Chair, benefiting from its scholarly expertise, visiting researchers, research initiatives, museum partnerships, and collaborations across Switzerland, Europe, and Asia. Candidates will have the chance to engage with Digital Art History in relation to Japanese art, fostering a unique, internationally competitive academic profile that enhances future career prospects.

Postdoctoral researchers at UZH gain access to a wide range of career-development and research-support opportunities, including transferable skills training, individual coaching and career counseling, internal research funding, and guidance on national and international funding opportunities.

UZH is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and the compatibility of academic careers with family life. Employment conditions and salary are governed by the regulations and salary scales of the University of Zurich and the Canton of Zurich.

Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

Vera Müller-Hellstern
HR Manager