Postdoctoral Research Fellow in African Art

Primary Function: The Postdoctoral Research Fellow conducts in-depth research on the 135 African objects in the Barnes collection. Working collaboratively with the Director of Research and Interpretation as well as with Barnes conservators, s/he reconnects this group of objects to knowledge from their source communities, places them in their cultural and historical context, traces their provenance, and integrates new technical/conservation study into our understanding of the life of the object. The Postdoctoral Fellow delivers this new research in the form of both internal and public facing materials. S/he disseminates this knowledge to academic, community based, and general audiences by organizing scholars’ days, presenting lectures to public and to Barnes staff and volunteers, teaching Barnes classes, developing a tour, and producing text and other materials for the website. 

This is a three-year position with an expected start date of October 1, 2026.

Job Qualifications 

• Ph.D. in Art History with a specialization African art; or comparable experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience using archival collections and working with objects
• Experience with collections management databases preferred, especially TMS
• museum experience preferred

Clearances: Criminal Background-National

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 80%+ of time is spent seated while working at a desk.  
• Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment or supplies. 
•  Ability to move to access files, equipment or supplies.

Vision Requirements:

• This position requires extended time on the computer.

Communication Requirements:   

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference.  
• Communicate with others in conversational and written English. 

Working Conditions:

• Position operates in hybrid work setting comprised of the Barnes’ Philadelphia campus and remote work setting indicated by the employee at their documented home address.
• Position requires extended time on the computer.

Job Specific Competencies:

• Conducts research on African art in the Barnes permanent collection. Building on the research published in African Art in the Barnes Foundation (2015), conducts provenance research and studies the original meanings and function of objects. 
• Works collaboratively with the conservation department to study each object’s technical and material qualities, incorporating these observations into the object narrative. 
• In consultation with the Director of Research and Interpretation, facilitates engagement and communication with Africa based researchers, collaboratively building digital spaces of research and knowledge sharing with partners in source communities.
• Travels to area museums and libraries to consult primary and secondary sources. 
• Meets quarterly with the Director of Research and Interpretation to analyze findings and review progress. 
• Produces accessible interpretive materials for the website based on research gathered.
• Delivers public lectures and teaches courses for the adult education program. 
• Trains volunteers and staff about objects in the collection through gallery talks and lectures.
• Regularly updates database (TMS) with new documentation and findings based on standards developed by the Research Coordinator. 
• Works collaboratively with Collections; Archives and Library; Conservation; and Education.
• Communicates with colleagues in the field.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. Accountability: 

a. Prepares for work assignments and meetings, 

b. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through, 

c. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment. 

2. Job Quality: 

a. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,

b. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output, 

c. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role. 

3. Service: 

a. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions. 

b. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and

 cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values. 

c. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas. 

4. Leadership: 

a. Sets a good example for others, 

b. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication, 

c. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach. 

5. Collaboration: 

a. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making, 

b. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests and others, 

c. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.