Job: Postdoc History of Eighteenth Century Medicine, 0.7 fte (Groningen University; Deadline 14 February 2016)

26 januari 2016

The Center of Historical Studies, Faculty of Arts, welcomes applications for an 18 month postdoc position (0.7 fte) to conduct research in the history of Boerhaavian medicine in the eighteenth century. The postdoc project is embedded in the NWO Vidi project “Vital Matters. Boerhaave’s Chemico-Medical Legacy and Dutch Enlightenment Culture”, supervised by Dr Rina Knoeff. The postdoc replaces the researcher of project 2 on “Quicksilver Doctors”. For the project description, see: https://www.rug.nl/staff/h.g.knoeff/vital_matters_description.pdf

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 30,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international center of knowledge: it belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate is expected to:

  • submit research results for publication in academic journals
  • present research at workshops and conferences
  • actively participate in research meetings of the project team and the Center for Historical Studies
  • help organise and participate in knowledge valorisation activities.

Qualifications

  • PhD degree (at the time of appointment) in one of the following (or related) disciplines: History, History of Medicine, History of Science
  • excellent research track record, including relevant publications
  • experience or affinity with the field of history of medicine and/or medical humanities
  • experience with conducting, or open mind towards interdisciplinary research
  • excellent oral and written communication skills in the English language
  • ability to work independently, and as part of a team
  • excellent management and communication skills.

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen offers the postdoc a salary based on qualifications and experience of between € 2,532 (scale 10.0 CAO Dutch Universities) and € 3,168 (scale 10.5) gross per month for a fulltime position, excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus and participation in a pension scheme for employees. The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of 6 months with the perspective of prolongation for another 12 months (1 April 2016 – 30 September 2017). The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for the University of Groningen (Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities 2015-2016, available in English at: http://www.vsnu.nl).

The preferred starting date is 1 April 2016.

Application

You may apply for this position until 14 February / before 15 February 2016 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

Your application should be written in Dutch or English and include:

  • letter of motivation explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the postdoc project
  • brief reflection of 1 page in which you indicate how you would envisage your own position as a researcher in the “Vital Matters” project
  • curriculum vitae (including a description of previous relevant research experience)
  • MA degree certificate and an official transcript of grades
  • PhD degree certificate, or a statement from your PhD supervisor that you will have completed the PhD requirements before 1 April 2016
  • contact information of two academics who are familiar with your work and whom we may contact directly if we need further information.

Applications have to be submitted electronically in PDF format by means of the application form (please merge all documents into one PDF file). Applications that are incomplete or are otherwise faulty will not be taken into account.

The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.

Information

For information you may contact Dr Rina Knoeff, h.g.knoeff@rug.nl