Thomas Söderqvist We have just started a search for 1-2 positions at the level of Associate Professor (alternatively Assistant Professor).
As readers of this blog probably knows, Medical Museion is an integrated research and museum unit for promoting medical science communication based on the material and visual medical heritage. The research profile is centered around the contemporary history of the biomedical sciences, medical science communication studies, and studies of the production of the material and visual medical scientific heritage. We have a world-class collection of historical medical artefacts and images, an active program for the acquisitioning and preservation of the contemporary biomedical and biotechnological heritage, a permanent medical-historical public gallery, and an innovative temporary exhibition program.
We are looking for two new members of faculty to contribute to our integrated research, teaching, heritage and outreach programme focussing on late 20th century and contemporary medical and health sciences in a cultural, aesthetic and historical perspective. The aim of the programme is to develop new modes of research-based collecting, exhibition making and web-based outreach by combining scientific content, cultural interpretation and aesthetic expression in innovative ways.
On the outreach side, we are developing research-based science communication practices for a variety of audiences – spanning from health professionals to the general public – in the form of exhibitions and web products, and with special attention to the aesthetics of science communication.
On the acquisition side, we are in the process of developing research-based curatorial practices (heritage production) in close cooperation with research institutions, hospitals, pharma, biotech and medical device companies, and patient organisations in the region (‘museum 2.0’) .
The appointees are required to do research at an international level and research-based teaching, however most of teaching obligations are substituted with museum work.
Read the official full job description below.
Full job description
Applications are invited for 1-2 positions at the level of Associate Professor (indefinite employment period), alternatively Assistant Professor (limited to 3 years), at Medical Museion, Department of Public Health, to begin as soon as possible.
Medical Museion is an integrated research and museum unit for promoting medical science communication based on the material and visual medical heritage. The research profile is centered around the contemporary history of the biomedical sciences, medical science communication studies, and studies of the production of the material and visual medical scientific heritage. The museum has a world-class collection of historical medical artefacts and images, an active program for the acquisitioning and preservation of the contemporary biomedical and biotechnological heritage, a permanent medical-historical public gallery, and an innovative temporary exhibition program.
Job description
The appointees are expected to contribute to the museum’s integrated research, teaching, heritage and outreach programme focussing on late 20th century and contemporary medical and health sciences in a cultural, aesthetic and historical perspective. The aim of the programme is to develop new modes of research-based collecting, exhibition making and web-based outreach by combining scientific content, cultural interpretation and aesthetic expression in innovative ways.
On the outreach side, the museum is developing research-based science communication practices for a variety of audiences – spanning from health professionals to the general public – in the form of exhibitions and web products, and with special attention to the aesthetics of science communication.
On the acquisition side, the museum is in the process of developing research-based curatorial practices (heritage production) in close cooperation with research institutions, hospitals, pharma, biotech and medical device companies, and patient organisations in the region (‘museum 2.0’) .
The appointees are required to do research at an international level and research-based teaching with associated examination duties, and to disseminate their research results. Part of the teaching obligation is substituted with museum work. The Faculty determines the exact ratio between the different responsibilities and the ratio may also vary over time.
Associate professors may be asked to manage research, provide guidance and supervision of assistant professors, postdocs and PhD-students, and to take part in academic assessments.
The assistant professorship is a further-education post. Supervision is provided, as well as the opportunity to improve pedagogical competencies. Applicants for an assistant professorship are given credit for previous employment as postdoc in a relevant field of research.
The scientific research requirements for the position can be found in “Københavns Universitets fælles regler for det videnskabelige personales forskningsindsats (forskningssikring)” (in Danish only) and to “KU-Academic Freedom and Responsibility at the Faculty of Health Sciences”; both are available at www.ku.dk/regel – click “Forskning-ph.d.-uddannelsen” and scroll down to items 58.10 and 51.04 (E).
Qualification requirements
Applicants for the associate professorship are required to have research and teaching qualifications on a level corresponding to that of a satisfactorily completed assistant professorship; however, such qualifications may also have been attained otherwise. Applicants are required to present documentation for scientific production on an international level as well as documented teaching qualifications.
Applicants preferrably also have one or more of the following additional qualifications:
- experience in exhibition making, web communication, etc.
- experience in collecting and curating, e.g., of documents, images or material objects.
- experience of and interest in communicating through social web media.
A basic training in medicine, public health, molecular biology, biochemistry or a similar field at the Bachelor level or above will be an additional advantage.
If the position is filled at the associate professor level, the appointees are expected also to supervise PhD-students and to raise funds for expanding the museum activities.
Applicants on the assistant professor level must have a strong academic background (PhD or evidence of an equivalent level of attainment) in a relevant field of research, for example, history of medicine, science and technology studies, ethnography, museology, design studies, communication studies, visual and material culture, art studies (Bildwissenschaft), medicine, the life sciences, medical technology, or architecture.
Applicants on the associate professor level must have at least three additional years of research and/or museum experience in a field of relevance for the position.
Terms of employment
Salary and employment terms are subject to the collective agreement made between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on the employment of academics in state service. In addition to the seniority-based salary and an annual pensionable supplement of currently DKK 48.750 (assistant professorship) (1 September 2009 level), or a pensionable annual supplement of DKK 86.998,10 (associate professorship) (1 September 2009 level), a salary supplement may be negotiated on an individual basis.
Applicants must state whether they wish to be assessed in relation to the associate professorship and/or the assistant professorship. All applicants will be assessed, but in case an applicant at the associate professorship level is selected, applicants on the assistant professorship level will not be considered.
Inquiries
For further information about the positions and Medical Museion, see www.museion.ku.dk and www.corporeality.net/museion or contact the Director, Professor Thomas Söderqvist directly: ths@sund.ku.dk, +45 2875 3801.
Foreign applicants may also find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility)
The application process
The application must be in English and contain:
- a curriculum vitae, including first name and surname, date of birth, gender, private address, phone number, e-mail, nationality, capability of speaking Danish and/or English, awarded academic degrees and professional experiences (max 2 pages).
- a complete and numbered publication list.
- a numbered list of the publications (max. 10) to be considered in the assessment of the your scientific qualifications (please note that copies of all publications/works you wish to be considered in the assessment shall be attached to the application).
- an account of the your experiences with research supervision and management (applications for the associate professorship only), of your previous and ongoing research and museum collaborations, of your teaching qualifications or other material which may form the basis of an assessment.of your pedagogical skills, and of other qualifications relevant to the post applied for (max 3 pages)
- a research plan (max 2 pages).
- a plan for developing the field of medical science communication and/or medical science heritage construction (max 2 pages)
- your motivation for applying for this position.
- attachment (copies of publications).
(If an applicant for the associate professorship has not attained teaching experience through assistant professorship employment, completed the educational study for assistant professors, or obtained similar teaching qualifications, the associate professor appointment will be on a trial basis for up to 18 months.)
The application and the attached scientific works and other documentation that you wish to have considered in the assessment, shall be submitted in four printed copies collated as complete sets (including copies of publications).
Applicants will be assessed according to “Bekendtgørelse nr. 284 af 25. april 2008 om ansættelse af videnskabeligt personale ved universiteter” (“Ministerial Order no. 284 of 25 April 2008 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities”), which are both avaliable at www.ku.dk/regel – press “Personaleforhold” and scroll down to section 20.1. Please note that:
- applicants will only be notified of the number of applicants, not of other applicants’ names
- applicants will be notified of the composition of the panel of assessors and will be asked to address any problems concerning legal capacity
- applicants will be contacted if the panel of assessors wishes to see further documentation and/or include works not listed by the applicant in their assessment
- applicants will be informed of and requested to focus only on their own assessments
- one or more applicants may be asked to attend an interview and/or deliver test lectures
The Faculty invites applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin or religion.
Please send your application marked file no 211-0673/09-3012 and “Associate (Assistant) Professor at Medical Museion” to:
The Faculty of Health Sciences
University of Copenhagen
Blegdamsvej 3B (Panum building)
DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
Applications must be received by the Faculty not later than 25 May 2010, at 2pm (CET). Material received later will not be considered.
If you wish to deliver your application personally, please contact the Faculty’s Service Center , Blegdamsvej 3B, first floor.
Electronic or fax applications will not be accepted.
The Faculty of Health Sciences comprises 12 departments and 10 study committees. The Faculty employs 2,000 people, including 1,000 teachers and scientists and 1,000 technical/administrative employees. The Faculty has 4,500 students, including 750 Ph.D. students. Please read more about The Faculty of Health Sciences at www.sund.ku.dk
