Ph. D. fellowship in Roman Sculpture

This position is jointly offered by Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and the Saxo Institute, University of Copenhagen, with projected start date of 1 September.

The three-year Ph. D. fellowship is funded by the New Carlsberg Foundation. The fellowship is hosted by Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek with enrolment at the Faculty of Humanities' PhD School affiliated with the Saxo Institute.

Introduction

PhD studies consist of research programmes at the highest international level that qualify students for independent research, knowledge dissemination and teaching. The main emphasis is on PhD students organising and conducting their own research project (under supervision). The programme culminates in the submission of a PhD thesis, which the student must defend in public. The programme is prescribed to 180 ECTS credits, corresponding to three years of full-time study.

Project outline

The project will focus on topics within the field of antique Roman sculpture and based in the Glyptotek's collection. It will combine object-based research, materiality and technique in particular, with broader historical, contextual, and stylistic analysis. It offers the possibility of close collaboration with the polychromy lab at the Glyptotek. Interpretation within the field as well as to a wider public of the research via the museum's platforms is expected as part of the project.

Areas of special interest include but are not limited to:

• Workshop practice and the production of sculpture in Roman antiquity, including the division and structuring of labour, the exchange and dissemination of knowledge and techniques, the mobility of sculptors and other professionals, as well as of materials and finished works
• Dissemination and distribution of typological schemata, as well as concrete models, for portrait- and ideal sculpture, including the maintenance of technical, stylistic and typological consistency in workshops across the empire
• The importance of material, e.g. bronze, marble, porphyry, terracotta, across geography and chronology
• The field of sculpture in Roman antiquity, especially the relationship between portrait- and ideal sculpture

The applicant is expected to prepare an independent project description that demonstrates knowledge of relevant research and clear methodology. The project description is expected to account for its relevance in relation to the Glyptotek's collection. The project is expected to inform the Glyptotek's plans for a new installation of its collections after the extensive restoration project and closure of the museum between 2028 and 2032.

Responsibilities

The PhD candidate is expected to:

• carry out an independent research project
• participate in PhD courses (approx. 30 ECTS)
• take part in the research environment at the Glyptotek and at the Saxo Institute
• contribute to activities at both institutions through teaching, museum work, or outreach (obligatory work)

The PhD programme is structured as a three year full time course of study and consists of research, coursework, teaching, and the completion of a final dissertation.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have:

• a two-year Master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent within classical archaeology, art history or another relevant discipline
• documented ability to carry out independent academic work
• good language skills (in addition to Danish and English, knowledge of other relevant languages, such as German and Italian, is an advantage)

The qualifications of applicants with non-Danish Master’s degrees will be assessed to ascertain whether they correspond to the Danish level. For further information, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Education and Research: https://ufm.dk/en/education/admission-and-guidance.

Application

The application must include:

• Statement of motivation
• Project description (max. 12,000 characters/5 pages)
• CV and, if applicable, list of publications
• Documentation of education (diplomas and transcripts)
• Any publications or thesis (if relevant)

The application must be submitted through Jobindex.dk (you must create a profile on the site to submit; do contact us if you are experiencing difficulties).

Application deadline

15 June 2026 via Jobindex.dk.

Inquiries should be directed to Matthias Wivel, head of research at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek: mawi@glyptoteket.dk or tel. +45 20 85 35 55 between 10am and 3pm on weekdays.

Interviews

Interviews of selected applicants are planned for the week of 22 June.
Online interviews are possible for applicants based outside of Denmark.

Replies: to all applications to be expected by 1. July

Terms of employment

Terms of appointment and salary will be in accordance with an agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The position is fulltime and includes salary during the PhD programme.

The primary place of work will be Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, with a possibility to work abroad for shorter periods. Office space at the Saxo institute may also be also available.

If offered the position, you must submit your criminal record.

Enrolment

It is a prerequisite for employment that successful applicants enrol at the PhD School of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Copenhagen.

For further information about the structure of the PhD programme, please refer to: https://phd.humanities.ku.dk/phd-programme/structure/.

About Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is the leading Nordic museum of classical- and Near-Eastern antiquities and holds one of the finest collections of French art from the period 1800-1930. The history of the museum and its buildings is unique in that its founder, master brewer Carl Jacobsen, created an institution that combines the history of art and industry and played an pivotal role in Danish culture around 1900. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is a private institution operated on a combination of support the Danish state and the New Carlsberg foundation. Its staff comprises around 150 and is visited annually by 300-500,000 people.

About the Saxo Institute

The Saxo Institute facilitates research and education within Prehistoric Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Greek, Latin, History, and Ethnology. The institute is home to several research centers, research clusters, networks, and externally funded projects, all contributing to a dynamic, engaged, and interdisciplinary research environment. There are nearly 1400 students at the institute and a staff of around 120 employees.

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