Curator/project manager for arts-based public engagement with stem cell research

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The project and its contexts
Hope Springs Eternal will culminate in a 38m2 temporary exhibit at Medical Museion, accompanied by small satellite exhibits with Science Gallery Melbourne, Boerhaave Museum in Leiden, and the Boston Museum of Science and Technology during 2026. The exhibits will be developed via a research-based co-curatorial process bringing together curators with reNEW scientists, artists and stakeholders including patient representatives. The successful candidate will lead the curation of Medical Museion’s exhibit.

reNEW is a high-profile consortium of world-leading stem cell scientists collaborating to promote effective, safe and socially robust stem cell-based therapies, across the University of Copenhagen, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, Netherlands. This project is part of the PREPARE cluster of activities that combines ethical, economic, societal, and cultural approaches to facilitate the socially robust delivery of stem cell outcomes to the community, including the development of novel public engagement methods.

Through Hope Springs Eternal we propose to explore meanings and experiences of hope – from the perspective of individuals who one day hope to benefit, and the scientists who hope to make a difference. We will also explore where ideas in science spring from, and how natural biological attributes of stem cells are harnessed by science and technology. Given that many people view stem cell medicines as synonymous with the promise of regeneration, longevity and repair, we will also explore the limits of stem cell science, the role of faith and trust, and if hopes are indeed eternal.

The project leaders are Dr Louise Whiteley and Prof Ken Arnold in Copenhagen and Prof Megan Munsie in Melbourne, who collectively have expertise in exhibition and arts curation, public engagement with stem cell research, and stem cell science. This group will support the curator/project manager in developing the project and making connections. The role will be situated within Medical Museion’s Programming and Communication Team, developing additional programming within this context, and will also be in dialogue with reNEW staff in relation to communication and engagement activities throughout the project.

Your job
The job will involve the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Developing and implementing a call for artists, in dialogue with the partner institutions
• Leading the curation of Medical Museion’s exhibit
• Working with the project leaders to develop the co-curatorial process and timeline. Time will be allocated to researching co-curatorial processes and potential models from other institutions
• Organising meetings, workshops, and internal project communication
• Managing the budget, supported by the Medical Museion and reNEW finance teams
• Coordinating reporting to reNEW
• Supporting marketing of activities by the partners’ marketing teams, and coordinating across partners to ensure alignment with reNEW and local institution strategies.
• Develop data collection plan for gathering the experiences of project participants and exhibition visitors, in collaboration with project leaders
• Supporting the project leaders to prepare articles about the outputs and impacts

Profile
We are looking for a candidate who combines curatorial flair with a practical mindset and enthusiasm for running collaborative processes. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience and/or interest in interdisciplinary collaboration, and curiosity about how artistic approaches can support open-ended public engagement with complex biomedical science.

Core Qualifications:

• Exceptional project management skills, specifically with regard to arts or exhibition projects
• Curatorial experience
• Experience with budget management
• Ability to coordinate reporting
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and oral
• Confident talking with scientists and facilitating workshops both online and in person
• An interest in international contexts, and willingness to travel occasionally

Desirable experience and skills:

• Previous experience with co-curation or audience participation processes
• Previous experience with international or travelling exhibits or arts projects
• Interest in the theory of co-curation or participatory public engagement

Place of employment
The place of employment is at Medical Museion, within the Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research and museum environment.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years 9 months. The starting date is May 1st 2024, after agreement.
Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the collective agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). The monthly salary will be based on the number of years of work experience (seniority) with the possibility to negotiate a salary supplement based on prior experiences and qualifications. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Questions
For further information about the project and reNEW please contact Louise Whiteley, lowh@sund.ku.dk.
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. two pages), directly addressing the candidate’s match to the job description and profile, and articulating why this project is particularly interesting to them.

2. CV including education, work/research experience, language skills and other relevant skills. Please include a list of exhibitions, publications, or other cultural products that you have worked on and specify your role. Appendices such as images and videos may be included if relevant.

3. A certified/signed copy of any qualification certificates such as a Masters or Professional qualifications

Deadline for applications: 19 March 2024
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

Apply here: Curator/project manager for arts-based public engagement with stem cell research (ku.dk)

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.