PhD student in History of Science and Ideas - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

PhD student in History of Science and Ideas at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies conducts teaching and research in Archaeology, Environmental Archaeology, Philosophy, History, History and Education, History of Science and Ideas, Religious Studies and Theology, and Science, Technology and Environment.

Research Environment
Courses and degrees in History of Science and Ideas are offered at basic, advanced and PhD levels. Over the years, the discipline has developed excellent research on several thematic topics, such as history of everyday life; history of science and technology; environmental history; history of medicine and health; history of religious thought; and gender history. This research also targets the Faculty of Arts’ efforts to strengthen digital humanities and research on global social and environmental challenges. Research in History of Science and Ideas connected to digital humanities includes historical studies of digital phenomena, use and development of digitised sources, and use of digital methods for historical analysis. Research in History of Science and Ideas connected to global social and environmental challenges imply research that takes such a challenge as a point of departure and that aims at producing knowledge of importance for understanding and dealing with it. History of Science and Ideas in Umeå is a dynamic discipline that strives to foster cooperation beyond established knowledge and disciplinary boundaries. Our research seminar in History of Science and Ideas together with Science, Technology and Environmental Studies is a significant meeting place for us. Another important venue, especially for digital studies and culture, is the faculty’s humanities laboratory HUMlab. More information about the research environment is available on the individual researcher’s website at http://www.idesam.umu.se/english/about/staff/

Requirements and assessment criteria
Requirements: a Master’s or equivalent degree in a relevant field, or at least 240 ECTS credits of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second cycle (Masters) level. At least 90 ECTS credits must be of relevance for the proposed doctoral research project. In order to meet the specific eligibility requirements for admission to studies in history of science and ideas at third-cycle level, the applicant must have completed at least 30 credits at second-cycle level, with an independent project worth at least 15 credits. Students who have acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, either within Sweden or abroad, may be admitted for third-cycle studies after assessment.

Applicants are ranked with reference to their capacity to benefit from and complete the program. The assessment is based primarily on prior study results, with particular consideration given to essays, and the quality and relevance of the project proposal.

Assessment will take into account how successfully the proposed project can be pursued given supervision and research resources at the department. Applicants are thus encouraged to discuss their project proposals with local representatives (see below for contact information).

 We conduct interviews and take references before hiring decisions.

Terms of employment
Employment will be for a period of four years (first a contract of 12 months with annual extensions of 12 months after positive annual evaluation). This time must be research activity orientated and lead to the completion of a PhD thesis. Additionally, and depending on availability a PhD student may also work with teaching and administration up to a maximum of 20 % of his/her normal working hours. The period of employment may thus be extended up to a maximum of five years. 

Physically, the employee will be placed at the Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, where the subject-specific education and mentoring takes place. Learn more about the subject specific content in the general study plan for doctoral studies.

Information
For information about the department, please contact Head of Department Jonas Nilsson, phone +46 90-786 99 90, jonas.nilsson@umu.se, or director of graduate studies Peter Lindström, phone +46 90 786 62 31, peter.lindstrom@umu.se.

For information about graduate studies in history of science and ideas and to discuss project proposals, please contact Professor Christer Nordlund, phone +46 90-786 97 33, christer.nordlund@umu.se.