The Fitzwilliam Museum is pleased to invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified researchers who wish to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to be held within the Museum focusing on the disciplines of Mediterranean island identity and insularity.

This is a 2-year research project based in the Antiquities Department, Fitzwilliam Museum, supported by international collaborations. The project will culminate with a large exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum, planned between October 2021 and January 2022, as well as a programme of public-engaging activities, seminars and workshops centred around the theme of insular cultural identity in the Mediterranean and other European regions (for example, Britain’s own -perceive or not- island identity).

This project will explore how insularity affects and shapes cultural identity in the examples of Cyprus, Crete and Sardinia. In addition, it will provide a platform to debate cultural evolution in the islands as opposed to their surrounding mainland. The cultural history of the large Mediterranean islands, from Antiquity to the present day, is very complex and can narrate – as well as explain – many complex social phenomena. Islands such as Cyprus, Crete and Sardinia demonstrate through their art and material culture production a continuous battle (or influence and assimilation) between indigenous forms and representations with patterns, art techniques and forms travelling from their surrounding mainland regions. These large Mediterranean islands have not just been a place with expansive contacts by sea, but also loci for the transmission of many products and ideas across a variety of people from the Near East and the rest of the Mediterranean.

We are looking for enthusiastic researchers with a specialism in either the fields of Mediterranean/Island Archaeology or Greek and Roman Archaeology (with a diachronic perspective). Previous Museum experience is desirable, but not necessary, as the Museum considers this post as a training opportunity for young professionals considering a Museum career. Knowledge of either Greek and/or Italian is desirable as well, as the project entails extensive communication with the Greek, Cypriot and Italian archaeological authorities and relevant research organisations.

To apply, you must have either a doctoral degree or at least 4 years’ full-time equivalent research experience. Fellows may come from any country except the UK, or if the Fellow is already in the UK, have been resident for less than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the submission deadline.

Applicants are expected to have significant research recognition and be able to demonstrate evidence of independence/leadership potential.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to submit a CV and 1-2 page summary of your project by  June 20, 2018 to researchfacilitator@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk. We will let you know whether you have been selected by mid-July. Our Research Facilitator will support you to complete your application by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie deadline of 12 September 2018.

If you would like more information, contact researchfacilitator@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.