Vacancy: Postdoctoral researcher for project on Frisian cultural heritage (12 hours/week)

This is what you will be doing

You will be conducting transdisciplinary research in the field of sensory heritage. You will play a key role in the ClickNL project A Nose for Heritage: Creative Techniques for Researching and Representing Olfactory Heritage. In this project, led by Prof. Inger Leemans, researchers are collaborating with creative designers and perfumers to investigate and represent the scents of the Frisian countryside, thereby giving smell a more prominent place in heritage policy. You will investigate scent heritage using various methods: historical research, linguistic research, citizen science, and ‘nose-wise’ analyses. You will be appointed to the Meertens Institute and as a guest researcher at the Fryske Akademy, where you will be supported in your research into historical scent language, scent locations, and scent customs in Friesland. Together with a creative designer and experts in the field of intangible heritage, you will distribute a questionnaire and engage in dialogue with heritage communities to gather knowledge about culturally significant scents. You will instruct perfumers on the reconstruction of heritage scents. You will actively contribute to the design of an exhibition in which the scents can be presented. You will publish the findings.

What you bring to the table?

You have a PhD in history, literature, heritage studies, art/cultural studies, or another relevant discipline. Knowledge of the Frisian language and culture is an advantage, as is experience working with ethnographic methods. You have demonstrable experience in studying (historical) sources and/or ethnographic methods, or you are motivated to quickly acquire these skills. You have an affinity for smell. You have good communication skills, enjoy working in a team, and are open to transdisciplinary collaboration. You are practical, can work independently, and can effectively work toward concrete results.

What do we offer? 

An inspiring position in a motivated and collegial team committed to excellent research and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. You will find yourself in a working environment that encourages initiative, scientific creativity, and personal development. You will work in a dynamic academic environment. You will have the opportunity to contribute to an experimental but leading-edge project that will generate both scientific results and public attention.

Would you like to know more?

Please contact:
Prof. Dr. Inger Leemans, Hoofd NL-Lab
E-mail: inger.leemans@huc.knaw.nl 

Application procedure

Please send NL-Lab your letter and resume before November 21, 2025. Interviews will take place in the first week of December. You will be notified at least one week in advance if you have been invited for an interview. Meertens Institute 

Meertens Institute

The Meertens Institute is a research institute of the KNAW that focuses on the study and documentation of Dutch language and culture. The institute investigates the phenomena that shape everyday life in our society. The collections of the Meertens Institute form an important part of the national infrastructure for humanities research.

Terms of employment

Depending on education and experience, the salary ranges from a minimum of €4,728 to a maximum of €6,433 gross per month for full-time employment (scale 11 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities/KNAW). This does not include 8% vacation pay, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, travel allowance, internet and working from home allowance, and pension accrual with the ABP.

The KNAW offers its employees an excellent package of secondary employment conditions. This package caters to the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle, or career ambitions. For example, it is possible to increase the number of vacation days from 29 to 41 days per year (for full-time employment) by working two extra hours per week.

For a complete overview of the terms and conditions of employment, please refer to the webpage: working at the KNAW. Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) may be part of the recruitment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
 

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and valued to be of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together, we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We therefore welcome candidates who, based on their background and experience, wish to contribute to this. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who strengthens diversity within the KNAW in this way.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.