Now recruiting a Doctoral Student

Credit: John Ruskin (1819–1900), Study of a Kingfisher, with dominant Reference to Colour, 1871, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

A member of CHROMOTOPE and the VALE research group (Voix Anglophones, Littérature et Esthétique EA 4085), the doctoral candidate will be primarily based in Paris. He/She will work under the supervision of the Principal Investigator of the project, Charlotte Ribeyrol and his/her degree will be delivered by Sorbonne Université.

In keeping with the scientific objectives of CHROMOTOPE which explores the literary and artistic impact of the 19^thcentury ‘chromatic turn’, the doctoral candidate will investigatehow Ruskin’s understanding of colour in his writings and teaching shaped aesthetic debates throughout the second half of the 19th century. To this end, he/she will carry out extensive archival research at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, which holds Ruskin’s unique teaching collection. When in Oxford, the candidate will be mentored by Stefano Evangelista and Colin Harrison.

The doctoral student will join an existing interdisciplinary team of international researchers with whom he/she will liaise regularly. He/She will be expected to complete his/her doctoral thesis (in English) within three years, to communicate his/her results widely to academic and non-academic audiences, and to take part in the events convened by the team, including the Finaly Summer school in 2022 (Florence) and the major exhibition on ‘The Colour Revolution, from Turner to Whistler’ which will open at the Ashmolean Museum in May 2023. He/She will also be responsible for co-organising the closing conference of the project which will take place at Sorbonne Université in 2024.

The candidate chosen for this position should hold a Master’s degree in English literature and/or art history, preferably with a specialist knowledge of colour and/or the 19^thcentury.

Required documents:

1. Cover letter in English addressed to the project’s principal investigator explaining the candidate’s interest in the project and presenting what skills he/she will contribute to ensure its successful completion
2. CV containing detailed information about the candidate’s academic career
3. A copy of the document confirming the candidate’s Master’s degree (or evidence of its imminent completion: date of viva, composition of committee etc.)
4. A sample of written work, on a relevant topic, of maximum 8,000 words (this may be, for example, a part of their Masters’ dissertation or an article)
5. The names and email addresses of two referees

Selection criteria:

1. A master’s degree or equivalent in English literature or art history to be completed before October 2021
2. A specialist knowledge of colour history and/or of the 19^thcentury
3. Excellent communication skills
4. Excellent written and spoken English and a working knowledge of French
5. High level of organisational skills and of time management

Terms and conditions of employment:

– workplace: Sorbonne Université (Paris)

– start date: October 2021

– type of contract: full-time, fixed term contract (36 months)

– salary: 23 872,80 euros per year

Selection process:

The required documents should be submitted electronically to the email address of the project as well as to its PI: chromotope@gmail.com and ribeyrolc@gmail.com mentioning ‘Application for Chromotope doctoral contract’ in the object of the email.

All documents should be submitted by May 9, 2021.

Required documents should be attached in PDF format. Incomplete applications that do not meet the formal requirements and/or submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Candidates will be informed by email of the outcome of their application by May 30, 2021. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take part in interviews held in Paris or remotely in early July 2021.