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vacature/job @ STUK

26 jan 2025

Researcher oral history project in the field of contemporary dance

Recently, STUK has been developing a programme around the immaterial heritage of contemporary dance (more info here). In that context, we will realise several research & development projects, as part of the European Horizon project ‘DanceMap: innovation pathways and policies to promote European dance heritage at home and abroad’, in the period from 2025 to 2027.

In STUK's oral history research project, we aim to build a collection of extensive interviews with the dancers of three iconic performances from the repertoire of contemporary dance in Flanders, with the aim of capturing the dancers' primary expertise, memories and experience: Out of Context by Alain Platel/La Geste (previously Les Ballets C. de la B.), Rosas danst Rosas by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker/Rosas and What the Body does not Remember by Wim Vandekeybus/Ultima Vez. The interviews (a) offer a rich addition to the existing dance archives, (b) can be made available for further dance research and (c) will partly also serve as source material for the Body of Work podcast of STUK, aimed at an interested dance audience.


STUK is searching for a researcher to realise this oral history research project, starting from 1 March 2025. STUK offers a 10-month contract at 50% (definition of period: see below). This assignment can be undertaken either in salaried or independent status.


Description of assignment:

  • Desk research on oral history methodology and practices, developing an interview protocol and a protocol for processing the interviews.

  • Consultation and coordination with the companies (La Geste, Rosas, Ultima Vez), including about how the interviews complement their archives and about the availability of the material for research.

  • Conducting interviews with dancers of Out of Context (from April 2025), Rosas danst Rosas (from Spring 2025), What the Body does not Remember (from Autumn 2025 onwards). We are aiming for around 30 interviews in total.

  • Processing the interviews: transcriptions, metadata, proper storage and agreements with those involved.

  • Potentially: additional interviews with researchers and colleagues from the DanceMap project on the theme of repertoire in dance, for theBody of Work podcast.

  • Consultation with the podcast maker, so that the audio recordings of the interviews can also optimally be used in function of the audience-focused podcast.

  • All this needs to be completed no later than 1 April 2026.


Profile:

  • You have an affinity with contemporary dance and dance practice. Professional experience in the field of dance is recommended.

  • You have experience in conducting (qualitative) research. You have experience with and a vision on interviewing in the context of research.

  • You work methodically and accurately.

  • You have a sound knowledge of English, which enables you to conduct interviews in English, listen thoroughly and process the interview material correctly. Ideally, you also have a basic knowledge of French.

  • You communicate carefully, treat people and (their) information with respect and enjoy collaborating.

  • You are flexible, work independently and coordinate where necessary with the dance heritage coordinator of STUK who oversees the project.


STUK offers:

  • A challenging job in an inspiring environment, on the border between dance practice and research. You will join a warm and passionate team at STUK.

  • STUK collaborates with KU Leuven. You will get access to the university's research facilities. In terms of content, you can connect with the members of the Cultural Studies research group who do research on dance.

  • You work in an international context and frame of reference. The DanceMap project is supported by a consortium of 15 European organisations (including academic research institutes, dance organisations and dance archives) and is funded through HORIZON-CL2_2024-HERITAGE-01-04: Europe's cultural heritage and arts - promoting our values at home and abroad. In Belgium, the University of Antwerp and Rosas are also members of this network.

  • Guidance and supervision by STUK's dance heritage coordinator Delphine Hesters (Ph.D. Social Sciences and lecturer in qualitative research methods at KU Leuven).

  • Salary at STUK according to wage category A of PC 304, supplemented by fringe benefits at company level.

  • We offer a fixed-term contract of 10 months, with an employment rate of 50%. Work periods are flexible and to be determined, taking into account the following:

    • there is a peak in the months of March to June 2025

    • the months of July and August 2025 are quieter

    • the study must be completed by 1 April 2026


Interested?

Send your motivation letter and CV no later than Sunday 26 January 2025 to Margaux Janssens, business manager of STUK, at margaux.janssens@stuk.be. In your motivation letter, please mention how you match the described profile and what your specific interest is in this research project.

  • If you are selected for the first round, you will be contacted by phone on Wednesday 29.01 to arrange a meeting for the first round of interviews.

  • Interviews for the first round will take place on 30.01 (morning or afternoon) and 31.01 (morning or afternoon).

  • Interviews for the second round will take place on 05.02 (morning or afternoon) and 06.02 (late afternoon).


With content-related questions regarding this vacancy, you can contact delphine.hesters@stuk.be.

https://www.stuk.be/en/jobs

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