Post Docs and Ph.D. positions at Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark, 01.01.2011-31.12.2012
Bewerbungsschluss: 01.08.2010

AARHUS UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE STUDIES

The Department of Science Studies, Aarhus University, Denmark
(http://www.ivs.au.dk) invites applications for the following positions

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", which is 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 (2 years)

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 (2 years)

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 (3 years)

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.
- 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

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/ansoegnings....

For more information please contact: Associate Professor Matthias
Heymann, matthias.heymann@ivs.au.dk.

Deadline

All applications must be received by 1 August 2010.

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Matthias Heymann

Department of Science Studies
Aarhus University
C. F. Møllers Allé 8, Building 1110
DK 8000 Aarhus C
Denmark