Job announcements Aarhus University
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE STUDIES
The Department of Science Studies, Aarhus University , Denmark
1 Postdoc position in history of science
1 Postdoc position in science communication studies
1 PhD position in history of science
The successful candidates will pursue research in the collaborative Danish-American research project “Exploring Greenland: Science and Technology in Cold War Settings”.
“Exploring Greenland ” is a comprehensive Danish-US research project funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. It has the goal to investigate the development of research activities in the geophysical sciences and in nuclear technology in Greenland in the Cold War period. Due to its utmost strategic importance, the US military as well as the Danish government heavily funded research efforts in Greenland . The project consists of subprojects covering disciplines like geology, meteorology and climatology, glaciology, nuclear technology, the communication of science and others.
1 Postdoc in history of glaciology
Subproject: Studying the ice: Cold War and glaciological research in Greenland
Glaciology was still in its infancy around the time of the Second World War but military-strategic interests in the Arctic led to an extensive build-up of research activities in the cold war period. Primary focus of these studies was the physics and dynamics of the ice to investigate ice as a building material and the construction and maintenance of military installations on and in the ice. Cold war glaciology in Greenland was instrumental for an expansion and institutionalisation of this field of research and became an important foundation for climate and environmental research in the later cold war period. Goal of this subproject is the investigation of national and transnational glaciological research activities in Greenland during the cold war.
1 Postdoc position in science communication studies
Subproject: Confidentiality vs. publicity: Communicating science in Greenland during the Cold War
The contradicting goals of an open communication of scientific results and their strict classification demanded by the military caused tensions in military funded research activities in Greenland in the cold war period. Military planners in the USA and in Denmark and scientific institutions involved in Greenland research had to negotiate and define the boundary between what is made publicly available and what is kept secret. Moreover, the communication of scientific activities in Greenland to a broader public had to be managed and controlled. It is the goal of this subproject to investigate the tensions between confidentiality and publicity in Greenland research in the cold war in close cooperation with the other subprojects.
1 PhD position in history of seismology
Subproject: Geo-politics of the inner earth: Danish-American seismological ventures in Greenland
Seismological knowledge was crucial for the detection of underground nuclear explosions. Consequently, the Eisenhower administration initiated a comprehensive R&D program in seismology, known as Project Vela Uniform, which included three stations in Greenland . The stations in Greenland were particularly important since there is little natural seismic activity in Greenland . A central role in seismological research in Greenland played American-Danish cooperation involving the world-leading Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann. Goal of this subproject is the investigation of transnational seismological research efforts in Greenland in the cold war period.
All subprojects will be pursued in close cooperation with the other subprojects and are based on extensive archival research in Danish, US and other international archives. For the filling of two positions funding is already available. The filling of the third positions is pending on additional funding and on the qualifications of applicants. The postdoc positions will be filled for a project period of 2 years. The Phd position will be filled for a project period of 3 years.
Requirements:
• Several years experience and a strong record in the history of science and technology or in communication studies respectively for the postdoc positions.
• Several years experience and a strong record in the history of science and technology or in communication studies respectively for the postdoc positions.
• A finished master degree and appropriate experiences in the history of science or neighboring disciplines for the PhD position.
• The availability of willingness to acquire sufficient language skills to pursue archival research in Danish and international archives.
• Ability and willingness to work in an international research team and contribute to the common goals of the project
• The availability of willingness to acquire sufficient language skills to pursue archival research in Danish and international archives.
• Ability and willingness to work in an international research team and contribute to the common goals of the project
Particularly encouraged are scholars with research experience in the history of Cold War science and technology. Experience with or good knowledge of Danish or Greenland history will be an advantage. Working place will be the Department of Science Studies at Aarhus University
Applications must be in English and include a CV, a complete list of publications and all degree documents. Applications for the postdoc positions have to be submitted online at the right link given on the website http://science.au.dk/en/positions-and-fellowships/academic-positions/. Applications for the PhD position must be directed to the Aarhus Graduate School of Science (AGSOS) and have to be submitted online at the right link given on the website http://science.au.dk/uddannelse/phd-uddannelse/til-ansoegere/ansoegningsrunder-og-optag/august-2010/.
For more information please contact: Associate Professor Matthias Heymann, matthias.heymann@ivs.au.dk.
Deadline
All applications must be received by 1 August 2010.
Matthias Heymann
Department of Science Studies
C. F. Møllers Allé 8
8000 Aarhus C