Devonshire Collections Research Fellow

About the Role

Supported by a generous grant from Art Fund, Chatsworth House Trust is seeking an exceptional early or mid-career researcher to undertake the inaugural Devonshire Research Fellowship, a ground-breaking role that will reimagine the potential of object-focused scholarship within a historic house context.

Located within the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth comprises a Grade I listed house and stables, a 105-acre garden, a 1,822-acre park and a farmyard and adventure playground. Chatsworth House Trust was established in 1981 to look after the house, extensive collections, garden, woodlands, and park for the benefit of everyone. Every penny of visitor admission income, Gift Aid, membership, sponsorship and donations is reinvested into the charity. Chatsworth plays an important role in the local community as a thriving cultural and educational destination, a nationally important historic landscape, and a working estate that operates with a mindful approach to the environment and sustainability.

This 18-month fellowship will investigate the provenance and journeys of objects relating to Ancient and Classical Civilisations within the Devonshire Collections. The Fellow will develop object biographies, trace histories of acquisition and circulation, and contextualise objects through their socio-political, material, and cultural histories.

As a pilot for a new Fellowship programme, this role places equal value on scholarly rigour and public impact. You will co-create research with communities, embed lived-experience perspectives, and work closely with cross-departmental teams to shape outputs that will inform interpretation, programming, and a major forthcoming exhibition in 2029.

This is a fixed-term Fellowship for a period of 18 months with hybrid working options available, on a freelance/consultant basis.  We are open to exploring models of working which reduce financial and geographical barriers to participation, e.g. offering a flexible residency model and remote research opportunities.

About you

We are seeking a researcher to lead object-based and provenance research, engage diverse communities, and contribute to public programming within a historic collection. It is essential that you have the following:

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. art history, archaeology, history, museum studies).
• Proven experience in object-based and provenance research, with strong understanding of ethical and international standards.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse communities and co-create knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for academic, public, and community audiences.

To view the full Role Profile, please click here

In return

• £48,000 fee (freelance, inclusive of all taxes)
• Up to £3,000 for travel and accommodation costs
• £2,000 research/materials budget
• £6,000 budget for community engagement activities
• Access to desk space, IT support, and the Collections team at Chatsworth
• Mentorship
• Opportunities for national and international profile-building.

Research undertaken through the Devonshire Fellowship will be carried out in partnership with Chatsworth House Trust and in accordance with Art Fund’s principles of open, ethical and collaborative research. Intellectual property in research outputs will normally be held by Chatsworth House Trust reflecting its responsibility for the care, stewardship and interpretation of the Devonshire Collections.

Fellows will be fully credited for their research and supported to disseminate their work through publications, presentations and public engagement. The Trust encourages scholarly publication and knowledge sharing, subject to appropriate acknowledgment, collections care requirements, and any necessary approvals relating to confidentiality or sensitivity.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button above.

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