Professor in history of science

Professor in history of science

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research university with a strong international standing. The university conducts research and education of the highest quality and interact with society in various ways. Our most important assets are the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. The university has 53,000 students, 7,600 employees, and a turnover of over SEK 8 billion.

The Department of History of Science and Ideas has around 60 employed teachers, researchers, and doctoral students. Teaching is offered at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The department has a considerable breadth in terms of research areas, such as history of science, history of medicine, political history of ideas, intellectual history, history of education, as well as cultural and media history. More information about the Department of History of Science and Ideas and its activities can be found at Department of History of Science and Ideas – Uppsala University.

The field of history of science has long held a strong position at the department, and today several researchers and teachers work with topics related to the history of science in both research and education. To further strengthen this environment, we are now announcing the Hans Rausing Professorship in the History of Science. The professorship was established in 2001 through a endowment from Lisbet Rausing.

Description of the subject area of the position: The announcement concerns research and teaching in history of science.

Duties

The holder of the position is expected to conduct independent research within the history of science, understood as a broad, dynamic and open field connected with related areas of research. The duties also include taking the initiative for, planning, and leading major research projects as well as actively applying for research funding for both their own and others’ research. Another task included in the position is teaching and supervision at all levels of education. The holder is furthermore expected to collaborate with external actors and to communicate their activities in a broader public context outside the department. In their research, the holder is also expected to collaborate with researchers at the department working in fields other than the history of science. The person appointed must also be prepared to assume various types of leadership assignments at the departmental level as well as at other levels within Uppsala University. Administrative duties form part of the position. The research component normally comprises about 50% of the position (including research administration); teaching, supervision, and course development make up the remaining 50% (including teaching administration).

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for appointment as professor, the applicant must have demonstrated both scholarly and pedagogical excellence (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 4, Section 3). Scholarly excellence must have been demonstrated through independent research achievements within the subject area of the appointment. The pedagogical, scholarly, and professional skills must be relevant to the subject content and duties of the position.

Applicants must have completed ten weeks of higher education teaching training relevant for work within the university or have acquired equivalent knowledge. If there are special reasons, the required training may be completed during the first two years of employment. To be eligible as a supervisor for doctoral students, completed supervisor training is required.

Documented ability to teach and administer in both Swedish and English is required. Applicants who do not have the ability to teach and administer in Swedish are expected to be able to use Swedish as a working language within two years. In addition, as a general eligibility requirement for teaching staff, applicants must have the personal qualities necessary to perform the duties of the position (such as the ability to cooperate, flexibility, a sense of responsibility, and the ability to lead groups and courses).

Assessment criteria for candidates who meet the eligibility requirements:

In the selection process, particular emphasis will be placed on scholarly excellence and leadership skills. Pedagogical skills and administrative skills will also be given weight.

Scholarly excellence refers to research merits. In assessing scholarly excellence, scientific quality will be given primary consideration. The scope of the research, itss depth and breadth, will also be taken into account. Special emphasis will be placed on research merits within the history of science, understood as a broad, dynamic, and open field with connections to related areas of research. Particular importance will also be attached to experience in building and leading larger research groups. Furthermore, the ability to plan and develop research and doctoral education, as well as the ability to secure competitive research funding, will be highly valued. Demonstrated ability to interact both within the academic community and with society at large will also be considered.

For this recruitment, the plan for future research and its significance for the department and faculty will be taken into account. The plan must demonstrate how the applicant intends to strengthen and/or renew research at the department and faculty.

Pedagogical excellence refers to teaching and educational merits. In addition to academic merits, teaching experience from other sectors—such as supervision, internal training, or mentoring programmes—may be considered. In assessing pedagogical excellence, pedagogical quality will be given primary consideration. The scope of the applicant’s teaching, in terms of both breadth and depth, will also be considered. Particular weight will be given to experience in supervising doctoral students and students at the master’s level. The ability to plan, initiate, lead, and develop teaching and education, as well as the ability to link teaching to research in the relevant subject, subject didactics, and higher education pedagogy, will be considered important. The ability to discuss issues in higher education pedagogy with colleagues within and beyond the university is also part of pedagogical excellence.

Administrative skills, leadership skills, and collaborative skills are important for the position and will be considered.

Administrative skills are demonstrated through the ability to plan, organise, and prioritise work effectively and appropriately, as well as through the ability to set and maintain timelines. Skills also include strategic planning and the ability to manage resources in a way that reflects institutional priorities, as well as the ability to work in a structured manner with attention to goals and quality.

Leadership skills are demonstrated through the ability to lead activities and personnel, make decisions, take responsibility, and motivate and provide others with the conditions necessary to effectively achieve common goals. Leadership skills are also demonstrated through the ability to work with decision-making based on collegial principles.

Collaborative skills are demonstrated through the ability to plan, organise, and carry out collaboration with society. Popular science outputs, public debate, and lectures are examples of such collaboration. The ability to translate knowledge exchange with society into activities that benefit the development and quality of education is also included.

All merits must be documented so that both quality and scope can be assessed.

In this recruitment, the university will primarily consider the applicant who, after an overall qualitative assessment of competence and excellence, is judged to have the best potential to carry out and develop the assigned duties and to contribute to the positive development of the organization.

Additional information

Parental leave, part‑time work due to childcare, trade union duties, military service, or similar will be considered as work experience and should be stated in the CV.

Application procedure: All merits must be documented so that both quality and scope can be assessed. The application must include:

• A brief account of scholarly, pedagogical, and other activities (CV)
• A report of scholarly merits
• Publication list
• A report of pedagogical merits
• A report of other merits
• Scholarly and pedagogical works cited
• A reflective description of future research, pedagogical, and other merits
• Certificates, diplomas, and other relevant documents
• Names and contact details of referees

For further information, see Uppsala University’s Appointment Regulations and the supplementary guidelines of the Faculty of Arts (HISTFILFAK 2025/64).

Further information about the position can be obtained from Head of Department Thomas Karlsohn, phone +46 70‑698 65 63, e‑mail thomas.karlsohn@idehist.uu.se

About the position

The position is permanent (trial period may apply). The position is full time. Start day by agreement. Location: Uppsala.

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The position may be subject to security vetting. If security vetting is conducted, the applicant must past the vetting process to be eligible for employment.

Please do not send offers of recruitment or advertising services.

Submit your application through Uppsala University’s recruitment system.