Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History

Job description

A permanent position of Associate Professor in Object Conservation is available at the Department of Archaeology, Conservation and History, University of Oslo.

The holder of the position is expected to initiate and lead research and teaching relevant to object conservation at the Department, with a focus on archaeological materials and social history objects. Duties include teaching; supervision of students and PhD candidates; setting of exams and evaluation on all levels; and administrative duties in accordance with the needs of the Department.

The successful candidate will join a team of conservators with strong ties to archaeologists and historians. The new member of staff will take an active interest in current projects, while also developing a separate research agenda. The new member of staff should be ready to teach on a broad range of topics, thematically and chronologically.

Qualification requirements

• PhD in Conservation or Materials Science (or equivalent)
• Specialization in archaeological and cultural-historical materials (e.g., metals, stone and/or water-logged wood)
• Documented relevant teaching competence acquired through pedagogical education or experience in teaching and supervision
• Fluent oral and written English-language skills, and preferably competence with a Scandinavian language
• Personal suitability and motivation for the position

The following qualifications will count in the assessment of the applicants:

• Academic qualifications and broad academic production within conservation and materials science, particularly metals, stone and/or water-logged wood. Those with a specialization in metals will be prioritized.
• Academic production will be evaluated in relation to the career stage of the individual applicant, with an emphasis on works published within the last five years. Originality and innovative thinking are preferred to quantity.
• International peer-reviewed publications.
• Documented interest in preventive conservation.
• Hands-on experience in a museum or conservation/cultural heritage organization.
• Hands-on familiarity with X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and Scanning electron microscopy.
• Experience with and ability to build collaborative international networks.
• Experience with research projects.
• Potential to contribute to the long-term development of the academic and research environment at the Department and to initiate joint projects.
• Pedagogical qualifications, documented results from teaching and supervision, and disposition to inspire students.
• Capacity for leadership and administration.
• Communication skills and enthusiasm for popular dissemination, public outreach and innovation.

In the evaluation of qualified candidates, the full range of these criteria will be explicitly addressed and assessed. Academic quality, development potential and breadth will be prioritised, in this order. The selected candidate is expected to contribute to the objectives of the strategic plan of the University of Oslo, which is to “strengthen its international position as a leading research-intensive university through close interaction across research, education, communication and innovation”.

The successful candidate should demonstrate English proficiency and, if the appointee is not fluent in a Scandinavian language, s/he is expected to reach proficiency within two years, to level B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Within three years, the appointee is expected to have proficiency in Norwegian, to be able to participate actively in all departmental functions, including teaching. The Faculty of Humanities will aid and facilitate the appointee in reaching proficiency.

We offer

• Salary 615 000 - 714 000 NOK per annum, depending on qualifications
• A professionally stimulating working environment
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Attractive welfare benefits
• The opportunity to apply, at a later stage, for promotion to full professorship

How to apply

The application must include:

• Application letter (statement of motivation, summarising scientific work and research interest)
• Curriculum Vitae (list of education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience, project acquisition and coordination experience, and other relevant qualifications)
• Complete list of published and unpublished works

Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language), either in the original or in translation.

Applicants are required to describe and document the entire range of qualifications and criteria described in the announcement of the post with concrete examples.

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “Apply for this job”.

Selection procedureAs the first step in the evaluation process, a Selection Committee will assess all applications and invite the most qualified applicants to submit a portfolio of educational certificates and academic works (up to 10 publications, which should not exceed 500 pages in total) for expert assessment. Academic texts shall therefore not be enclosed with the application. Applicants who are invited to submit academic works are asked to select three works, published within the last 5 years, to be considered as most relevant for the position. In longer publications (monographs), applicants should specify the relevant pages. Applicants are further asked to submit a description of one or more research projects considered relevant for the Department. Applicants are also asked to submit a Educational portfolio of 3-6 pages documenting educational competence and experience, including a reflection note in which your own practice and learning vision is anchored in the SoTL criteria (focus on student learning, development over time, a research approach and a collegial attitude and practice)

Finally, the most highly ranked candidates will be invited for an interview and a trial lecture.

Formal regulations

Please see the rules for appointments to Associate Professorships.

The successful candidate who at the time of appointment cannot document basic teaching qualifications will be required to obtain such qualifications within a two-year period. Please see the rules for practicing the requirement for basic university pedagogical competence at UiO.

Within his/her normal duties and in accordance with his/her academic competence, the person appointed may also be asked to work outside his/her Department. The appointment is made under the condition that the employer may change the subject area and assigned tasks according to the needs of the Department.

According to the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.

The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.

Contactinformation

• Head of Department Jon Vidar Sigurdsson, phone number +47 22841955, e-mail: j.v.sigurdsson@hf.uio.no
• HR Adviser Hilde Kristine Sletner, e-mail: h.k.sletner@hf.uio.no

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