Postdoctoral position in digital humanities with a focus on History/Cultural heritage - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

Humlab is a meeting place for the humanities, culture and information technology at Umeå University. We primarily work with education and research in collaboration with teachers, students, artists and entrepreneurs nationally, internationally and cross-disciplinarily. Our activities include an open study environment spanning two campuses and a number of digital platforms. Humlab is an operational unit under the Faculty of Arts, with approximately 15 members of staff including researchers, teachers, technicians and administrators. Learn more about us at humlab.umu.se.

Work description

As a postdoctoral employee at Humlab, you will be expected to both conduct independent research (a minimum of 80%) and contribute to Humlab’s environment and operations (a maximum of 20%). You will also be expected to independently formulate and implement your research project and we will therefore need a research plan. This position offers considerable leeway in the design of your research project, although it must be in the field of digital history and/or cultural heritage, which may for example cover how digital tools and methods can be used to interpret, analyze, understand or present historical processes and events using 3D visualisation (deep maps), GIS, database construction, text analysis (or a combination thereof), or the like. However, it is of the utmost importance that the use of digital tools and methods have a direct correlation to the research questions that drive the research project. In all likelihood, you come from a background in a discipline such as history, history of ideas, museology, archaeology or similar.

The results of your research will be published in the form of international scientific articles in which you will be expected to act as both principal and coauthor.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to developing the research environment at the unit and within the project and will therefore be required to have a high level of attendance within the unit. Examples of duties within Humlab (maximum of 20 %) may include teaching, education and research coordination, activities at our labs and collaboration with other departments and any other stakeholders. Duties may vary somewhat over time depending on the needs of the organisation.

Admission requirements and basis for assessment

Admission requirements for postdoctoral studies are a PhD or overseas degree deemed to be equivalent. Specific requirements for this position are a PhD in a relevant discipline and that the applicant has not previously been employed more than a year as a postdoc in the same or a related field of study at Umeå University.

Primary consideration will be given to those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the deadline for applications. Special circumstances such as parental or sick leave, military service, etc. may mean that a candidate who completed their degree earlier than this can be considered. Selection from among the applicants will take place with consideration for the applicant’s ability to formulate a relevant research project, to work independently and in a team, and the extent to which the applicant’s expertise is in line with Humlab’s overall operations.

Experience of conducting independent research and articles published in reputable scientific journals are merits. Previous experience of teaching at university level will also be considered as meritorious.

As independent research is a the primary component of a postdoctoral position, scientific expertise  will be weighted above pedagogic expertise in assessing the qualifications of applicants.

As the project will be conducted in an international academic environment, a good knowledge of and communication skills in spoken and written English are a requirement.

Application

The following shall be appended to application:

• A cover letter in the which the applicant justifies their interest in the position, states their qualifications and explains how their stated competences are relevant to the implementation of the project (maximum 5 pages).
• A project plan.
• A Curriculum Vitae including a complete list of publications and copies of their degree certificate and other relevant qualifications and certificates.
• The applicant’s PhD thesis and any further publications (maximum 3 publications).
• Name and contact details for two reference persons.

Information 

The scope of the position is 2 years full-time, with the project starting on 01.10.2018 or by agreement. The deadline for applications is 15.08.2018.

Humlab would like to see female applicants for this position as we are actively striving to establish a balance in genders amongst our staff.

For further information about the position, please contact Director Stefan Gelfgren, +46 90 786 50 87, stefan.gelfgren@umu.se.

We look forward to receive your application!