Undergraduate Research Associate Position in Art Materials Research

Opportunity Description:

The Joel Snyder Materials Collection in the Visual Resources Center (VRC) is a new initiative between VRC and the Department of Art History to make art historical objects, materials, and tools available for instructor and student handling. Launched a year and a half ago, the Materials Collection’s current strengths are currently prints, photographs, and architectural materials. However, we do not yet have key components such as a pigment collection and fiber collection which would form the cornerstone of our collection.

We are looking to hire an undergraduate student interested in artists’ materials to conduct research on what should be included in the pigment and fiber sub-collections and how to document and describe the materials for access and discovery. The position would be managed by Christine Mehring in consultation with Maria Kokkori, Visiting Lecturer in the Department of Art History and Research Fellow in the Department of Conservation Science at the Art Institute of Chicago. The RA would also have the opportunity to work closely with VRC staff and Nancy Spiegel in the University of Chicago Library.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Recommend pigments, watercolors, tube paints, waxes, and oils to create a sample set for the Materials Collection. Help identify potential sources to obtain or purchase these materials. 
• Identify relevant thread, fiber, and cloth as well as different weaving, stitching, and embroidery examples to build up a textile and fiber set for the Materials Collection. Help identify potential sources to obtain, create, or purchase these materials.
• With VRC, create professional photographs of the new materials to be added to the online version of the collection. The output of the RA’s research findings will also be added to the online catalog to aid students and faculty in access and discovery of materials suitable for their research and teaching. The RA’s research findings may also be incorporated into a new Library guide on materials and conservation research resources. 

Interest in working with artists materials and in art conservation or conservation science research. 

Application Process: 

Please submit the following in a single PDF document saved as "LASTName_FIRSTName_VRC Research Opportunity":

• 350-word statement of interest in the research opportunity (this is not a cover letter but should detail why you are interested in the research experience, what particular research skills you may bring, what you hope to learn and how this may impact your future studies and/or research in the field;
• Current CV with the names and contact details of two academic references; and,
• A copy of your unofficial transcript.

Application Deadline: this opportunity will be open until filled; students interested are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Anticipated Start Date: as early as possible in Winter Quarter, 2020.

Submit your complete application file by email directly to Bridget Madden, bmadden@uchicago.edu, Associate Director, Art History, Visual Resources Center (VRC)

Application Requirements: