Postdoctoral Fellow – Rebanks (Art & Culture 12–24-month contract)

WHO WE ARE

The Royal Ontario Museum(ROM) is a cultural institution that showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America and Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum, ROM has a world-class collection of 18 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces.

ROM's mission is to transform lives by helping people to understand the past, make sense of the present, and come together to shape a shared future. The museum is known globally for expanding the boundaries of knowledge and presenting that knowledge in new and innovative ways within the intersecting worlds of art, culture, and nature. ROM's extensive exhibition schedule and public programs attract approximately 190,000 students and 1.3 million visitors or more in a typical year.

As we continue to work toward our goals to transform and evolve as one of the world’s foremost 21st-century museums, we seek passionate and dynamic team members who embody our mission and values.

WHO WE NEED

The Office of the Deputy Director of Collections and Research and Chief Innovation Officer invites applications for the Wendy and Leslie Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellowship (hereafter, Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellowship), which provides those who have obtained their doctorate in the last five years the opportunity to pursue their research with the support of one of Canada’s foremost museums. The fellowship is for a 1-year term, renewable for a second year, and grants $55,000 per year with a comprehensive benefit package and a $2,500 research and travel stipend per year.

Reporting to the Co-Chief Curator of Art and Culture, Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellows are expected to spend most of their tenure in residence at ROM, except when arrangements are made for periods of fieldwork or research travel. Fellows will also be required to contribute approximately 10% of their time to public programming and outreach related to their research at ROM. They may also have the opportunity to assist with some aspects of exhibition development.

The ideal candidate will bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to one or more of the department’s main research areas (Indigenous Americas, Archaeology of the Americas, Canada, Ancient Egypt & Nubia, Ancient Greece & Rome, Ancient Near East, China, Europe, Global Africa, Global Fashion & Textiles, Global South Asia, Islamic World, Japan, Korea, Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia) contributing to innovative scholarship that broadens and diversifies existing narratives. You are a motivated and independent scholar who has earned your doctorate in the last five years with a proven ability to conduct high-calibre research. A passion for public engagement and collaboration is essential. Fellows are expected to contribute to ROM’s mission by engaging with our audiences through public programming and outreach and potentially assisting with exhibition development. This role is an exciting opportunity to work closely with ROM's extensive collections and world-class curators to push the boundaries of research and cultural understanding.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

• Conduct original research aligned with ROM’s mission, leveraging the museum’s extensive collections, archives, and resources.
• Contribute to advancing knowledge in one or more of the Department of Art & Culture's key research areas (Indigenous Americas, Archaeology of the Americas, Canada, Ancient Egypt & Nubia, Ancient Greece & Rome, Ancient Near East, China, Europe, Global Africa, Global Fashion & Textiles, Global South Asia, Islamic World, Japan, Korea, Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia), with a focus on broadening and diversifying narratives within the field.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and other academic platforms, elevating ROM’s reputation as a leading research institution.
• Engage diverse audiences through public programming and outreach, sharing your research in accessible and innovative ways.
• Have the opportunity to assist ROM curators and staff with some aspects of exhibition and gallery development and program initiatives.
• Foster connections between your research, ROM’s collections, and broader cultural, academic, and community networks.
• Utilize your expertise to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and dialogue among ROM visitors, students, and community members.
• Support ROM’s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by contributing to research and programming that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities we serve.

WHAT YOU BRING

• A Ph.D. earned within the last five years in a field relevant to ROM’s Department of Art & Culture research areas.
• A strong academic background, demonstrated through publications, presentations, and innovative research projects.
• Expertise in one or more of the department’s key areas, with a commitment to expanding and diversifying existing narratives.
• Proven ability to design, manage, and execute high-quality research projects within defined timelines.
• Strong communication and public engagement skills, with experience presenting research to diverse audiences in accessible and compelling ways.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work effectively with curators, researchers, and other museum professionals.
• Passion for contributing to ROM’s mission of connecting art, culture, and nature to inspire learning and foster community engagement.
• Dedication to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion through research and outreach activities.
• Flexibility to be in residence at ROM for most of the fellowship tenure, with potential travel for fieldwork or research purposes.

SALARY & TERMS OF FELLOWSHIP

• Start date: as early as May 2025 or TBD
• Open date: January 10, 2025
• Close date: March 31, 2025
• Status: 1-year term, renewable for the 2nd year, full time
• Employee group: Non-union
• Salary: $55,000
• Schedule: 35 hours weekly
• Probationary period: 6 months
• Location (hybrid): Toronto, ON

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for the Wendy and Leslie Rebanks Postdoctoral Fellowship, applicants are encouraged to contact ROM Curators to determine the feasibility of their proposed research and the availability of relevant resources, including collections, laboratories, archives, and library materials during the proposed tenure date.

Please prepare and submit the following documents in a single PDF file:

1. Cover Letter (1 page): Outline your interest in the fellowship, the relevance of your previous work, and how your proposed project aligns with ROM’s mission and your field.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV): Provide a comprehensive overview of your academic background, research experience, publications, and other relevant achievements.
3. Research Proposal (2 pages, plus references): Detail the research you plan to conduct during the fellowship, emphasizing its significance, methodology, and how ROM’s collections and resources will support your work.
4. Sample Publications (up to 3): Include examples of your published work that highlight your expertise and scholarly contributions.
5. Statement of Support from ROM Curatorial Sponsor: Provide a detailed statement from a ROM curator confirming the feasibility of your research. The statement should include an assessment of the availability and accessibility of relevant resources, such as collections, laboratories, archives, and library materials, that will support your proposed research during your tenure. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with ROM curators in advance to discuss their research plans and confirm the institution's ability to meet their project needs.
6. References: Include the names and contact information of two references who can speak to your academic qualifications and research experience. References will only be contacted if you are selected.

Submission Deadline: March 31, 2025

Submission Format: Combine all documents into a single PDF file and submit via the electronic application link.

For assistance or inquiries regarding the application process, contact careers@rom.on.ca.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN OUR SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be evaluated by ROM scholars in appropriate fields and ranked based on the proposal’s academic merit and relevance to the ROM mission and vision, the applicant’s ability to complete the proposed research during the fellowship term, the capacity of ROM research staff and facilities to support the research, and the candidate’s commitment to broader impacts. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who apply.

1. Committee Review: The Art and Culture curatorial committee will review all qualified applications. Successful applicants will be invited to a panel interview.
2. Panel interview: A one-hour in-person or virtual interview with the Hiring Manager (the Co-Chief Curator of Art and Culture), the Head of the Department, and a member of the HR team. This in-depth interview will focus on your skills and how they align with the team's and ROM's needs.
3. References: Two references that could be contacted if selected.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY

At ROM, we embrace diversity in our exhibits, communities, and teams. We encourage applications from racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and those who can further diversify our ideas. We are committed to equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.

We welcome and accommodate candidates with disabilities throughout the selection process. Please contact us at careers@rom.on.ca for assistance.

Apply Now

Apply today and help us create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity and learning flourish.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that all candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and other checks depending on the role.