Student assistant Project: "Boost your collection

The University Library (UB) of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam provides increased access to fragile heritage by creating 3D models and prints of delicate objects, such as cuneiform tablets. Thanks to a new grant, we now have the opportunity to refine, expand, and increase the impact of our 3D models of cuneiform tablets. We are looking for someone to support us in the project: "Digital Impressions: Creating 3D Models of Clay Tablets".

In all tasks, you will communicate effectively, promptly, and consistently with other project group members. Your work will be under the supervision of a project leader. Within the project, you will also collaborate closely with: an instructional designer, a 3D technology specialist, a scientific information specialist for Ancient Studies, the curator of Manuscripts and Early Printed Books, an open educational resources specialist, and lecturers in Assyriology.

Your Tasks

• selecting clay tablets for the 3D model collection;
• developing teaching materials for using the 3D models in education at ACASA, VU, and beyond;
• 3D scanning the clay tablets and optimising the models;
• ensuring proper metadata for the 3D models;
• making the collection openly accessible on Edusources;
• increasing the collection's impact through national and international networks.

Your profile

Since you will be part of a project, your profile is that of a versatile, reliable team member who can adapt quickly. You will support the entire project team in producing the 3D models and making them openly available. We are looking for someone who:

• is studying Ancient Studies, Classical Languages, or Archaeology (or a related field);
• has (basic) knowledge of cuneiform (and preferably of Sumerian and/or Akkadian);
• has experience with or is eager to gain experience working with fragile heritage and the digitisation of heritage;
• is enthusiastic about contributing ideas for the use of 3D models and prints in education;
• wishes to build or expand their personal (inter)national network in Assyriology;
• has professional English writing and speaking skills.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• the possibility to work partly from home
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

About us

About the project "Digital Impressions: Creating 3D Models of Clay Tablets"

The heritage collection of the University Library at VU consists of many physical objects. Some of these are highly delicate or otherwise difficult to handle. By creating 3D models and subsequently 3D prints, these objects can be made suitable for (re)use in education, both digitally and physically.

Currently, there is a small collection of 3D models. Five of the available 3D heritage objects have been made accessible on Edusources. However, due to limited capacity and resources, there has been insufficient effort dedicated to further production, accessibility, and promotion of the materials in the collection. As a result, the collection has not been adequately maintained or expanded, and it remains limited to the five models, even though the potential for heritage collections is much broader.

The collection can be found online, but only for those who know exactly where to look or who are directed to it. The University Library has received funding to refine, expand, and enrich the collection, thereby creating a boost in quality.

University Library (UL)
Discovering new sources, improving research methods, innovating teaching materials – the University Library assists in all these things. We provide support in literature searches, data management and open access publishing; we offer workshops, guidance and places to study. We also curate and exhibit special collections, heritage objects and artworks.

Our ambition is to keep developing to become the central location for meeting others, sharing knowledge and finding inspiration. We offer services that help teachers, learners and researchers continue their journey. We focus on finding inspiring ways of working together, growing and learning from each other in order to have an even greater impact on scholarship and society.

Are you interested in joining the UL? You will contribute to innovative services that are ideally suited to the interests and needs of staff and students. Personally engaged, service oriented and constantly innovating. At the UL you will join over 100 colleagues who work at two different locations, the VU Main Building and VUmc.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.