Research Fellowship, Center for Netherlandish Art

The Center for Netherlandish Art (CNA) seeks applicants for the CNA Fellowship Program for object-based research related to Netherlandish art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. These Fellowships are full-time appointments for a period of 6, 9 or 12 months, beginning in fall of 2026. The CNA is committed to fostering a broad and diverse international applicant pool and we encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Fellowship candidates who require visa sponsorship are welcome to apply and will be considered on an equal basis in accordance with applicable laws and our organization’s policy. The museum also assists successful candidates with the visa application process, depending on category of visa.

The CNA Fellowship Program provides the opportunity to pursue an independent research project, determined by the fellow, related to the MFA’s expansive collections of Netherlandish art, including paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, works on paper, early books, and more. Research topics may focus on Dutch and/or Flemish art and culture of the long 17th century (circa 1560-1800), including contacts and exchanges between the Netherlands and other global regions. Interdisciplinary approaches are not required, but are encouraged and supported.

CNA Fellowships are open to a range of educational levels from MA graduates to recent postdoctoral scholars. Proposed projects might address, for example, research for submission of a PhD proposal, PhD dissertation work, and/or preparation of a publication. 

The CNA acknowledges the continued need to make the field of Netherlandish art history more inclusive and equitable and seeks to foster early career professionals of all identities and nationalities representing a range of backgrounds, prior experiences, and research priorities.

Fellowships have the primary goal of advancing a Fellow’s individual scholarship. Fellows work with a mentor within the Museum, and have access to the MFA’s resources including collections, expertise, the Conservation Center, the CNA Library and research facilities, as well as to other research libraries and collections in the Boston/Cambridge area. The CNA has an international network of academic and museum partners to support Fellows’ projects. In residence at the CNA, a balanced program of activities facilitates the Fellows’ research and professional development. The cohort of CNA Fellows works together with the support of the CNA to promote their research and share it with a range of audiences. Fellows will provide a final written report at the conclusion of the Fellowship, and will participate in the annual CNA Colloquium in the spring, which is open to the public.

Essential Functions

• Work on individual research project
• Present on research progress
• Participate in workshops, excursions and hands-on training opportunities
• Contribute actively to CNA and MFA events and programs
• Produce a final written report and participate in the spring CNA colloquium

Secondary Functions

• Attend department meetings and other staff meetings
• Engage in activities with various stakeholders upon request
• Produce content for the Museum’s online presence, including social media

Qualifications

• Must have completed a master’s degree, be currently pursuing a doctoral degree, or have completed a doctoral degree within the last five years. Areas of specialization may include but are not limited to history of art, architecture, decorative arts and design, technical art history, conservation science, cultural studies, history of science, philosophy, sociology, visual studies, literary studies, religious studies, transatlantic studies, gender and sexuality studies, and/or related fields.
• Commitment to public scholarship, and eagerness to participate in training opportunities at the Museum to share expertise with broad audiences
• Proven research capabilities, academic credentials and writing skills
• Strong command of English and comfort working in an English-language environment. Dutch language skills are a plus, but not mandatory.

Terms of Employment

Full-time, 6-, 9- or 12-month employment beginning fall of 2026. 

Fellows are expected to be onsite at the CNA most weekdays (excluding holidays and paid time off) during core business hours (9:00am-5:00pm). Special events will occasionally require an earlier arrival or later departure. We encourage fellows to plan short research or conference trips of up to two weeks at a time.

During the 2026-27 academic year, the CNA will host up to two Fellows to pursue an independent research project in some way related to the MFA’s collections of Netherlandish art from the long 17^th century.

Compensation for the 12-month Fellowship includes salary at $53,615 (pre-doctoral Fellows) or $58,935 (postdoctoral Fellows), in addition to a generous benefits package per Museum policy, funds for relocation and visas, and a travel stipend. 6- and 9-month appointments will be prorated. Compensation is subject to applicable federal and state withholdings. This position is affiliated with the United Auto Workers union.

To apply, please submit the following documents:

• A cover letter (400 words maximum) outlining the primary focus of your research, and your personal interest in the Fellowship and the Center for Netherlandish Art.
• A research proposal (1,000 words maximum) including research question(s) and general timeline, further specifying your areas of expertise and connection the MFA’s collections of Netherlandish art. Please indicate your preference for a 6-, 9- or 12-month appointment.
• Full CV including education, professional experience, honors, awards and publications
• A writing sample (examples include recent essay, published paper, catalogue entry or a dissertation chapter)

Additionally, we ask applicants to have two professional references send letters of recommendation directly to referenceletters@mfa.org, with ‘CNA Fellowship Program’ included in the email’s subject line.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until Monday, December 1, 2025.

A selection committee made up of CNA and MFA staff, as well as an international panel of experts, will review applications. We regret that we are only able to contact applicants selected for interviews.

The MFA is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve is diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, the MFA does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment or promotion on the basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, handicap or disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.