Department of Science Education
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

Section for History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Science Education currently has 10 permanent faculty members, including two Niels Bohr Professors. The section hosts a research group dedicated to history and philosophy of science. The primary focus of the section as well as the research group is on practice oriented and empirically informed history and philosophy of science addressing epistemological and ethical aspects of science and its use.

The Department of Science Education seeks an excellent scholar for a position in the history and philosophy of science within the Section of History and Philosophy of Science. The position is at either Tenure-track Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level. Candidates who are in doubt about which level of position (Assistant or Associate Professor) to apply for are encouraged to apply for both levels.

We seek candidates with a research record of relevance to scientific practice (e.g., philosophy of science in practice, integrated history and philosophy of science, socially relevant philosophy of science, or similar). Applicants with a background in the history and philosophy of economics or history and philosophy of data science, machine learning, big data or similar will be preferred.

Duties include

• Research, grant applications, development of the field, supervision and (depending on the level of position) research management such as supervision and training of research fellows and other staff
• Departmental teaching – including supervising students, coordinating and teaching courses for students, and preparing and conducting exams. Teaching in mandatory courses in philosophy of science for bachelor students in science programs will be expected.
• Other tasks requested by the Department – including engaging with and participate in Department and Faculty governance structures.

Formal expectations to the candidate

Applicants must have documented competences (formal or other) in the formal sciences (mathematics, computer science, mathematical economy or similar).

• Candidates who apply for the position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor must have an academic standing showing internationally competitive research, and/or have internationally recognized high potential to make a future impact.
• Candidates who apply for the position as Associate Professor must (beyond the above) have university level teaching experience, documented teaching competencies and must be able to explain and reflect upon own teaching practice and teaching portfolio. This should include a reflection on how to teach philosophy of science to science students, as well as a description of the range of science programs in which the candidate will be qualified to teach courses in philosophy of science. Formal pedagogical training and supervision equivalent to the University of Copenhagen teacher development program for assistant professors is required.

Assessment of applicants depends on which type of position is applied for:

• Assessment of applicants for the position as Tenure-track Assistant Professor will primarily consider their level of documented, internationally competitive research. The ability to attract external funding will be considered together with outreach qualifications. Teaching qualifications are not mandatory but documented teaching qualifications and teaching experience will be considered. The candidate should include a reflection on how to teach philosophy of science to science students, as well as a description of the range of science programs in which the candidate will be qualified to teach courses in philosophy of science.

• Assessment of applicants for the position as associate professor will primarily consider their level of documented, original scientific production at an international level, including contributions to developments in their field, as well as their documented teaching qualifications. Managerial and out-reach qualifications of applicants including ability to attract external funding will also be considered.

Six overall criteria apply for appointments at the University of Copenhagen. The six criteria (research, teaching, societal impact, organizational contribution, external funding, and leadership) are considered a framework for an overall assessment of the candidates. Furthermore, each candidate must be assessed according to the specific requirements stated in the job advertisement.

For more information regarding the position as tenure-track assistant professor, please visit: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5a_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Assistant_professors.pdf.

For more information regarding the position as associate professor, please visit: https://jobportal.ku.dk/videnskabelige-stillinger/kriterier-for-videnskabelige-stillinger/dokumenter-til-meritering/5b_Criteria_for_recognising_merit_-Associate_professors.pdf.

Further information

Further information on the Department is linked at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Head of section Mikkel Willum Johansen, mwj@ind.ku.dk, +4535320381.

International candidates may consult the University’s unit for international staff and mobility at https://ism.ku.dk. In particular, it may be helpful to read this brochure on moving to wonderful Copenhagen https://ism.ku.dk/contact/brochures-checklists/brochures/ISM-next-stop.pdf   

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.

Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

More information on the tenure-track programme

An assigned mentor will provide the tenure-track assistant professors with guidance related to career development, other academic topics, and administrative procedures.

Performance of the tenure-track assistant professor will be followed via internal yearly evaluations, as well as a mid-term and final international evaluation by an assessment committee. If the ‘final appraisal’ is positive you will be promoted as associate professor. Performance and progression towards the criteria below will be evaluated with due consideration of differences between research fields.

Criteria for promotion in the tenure-track programme

After a 6-year tenure-track period, tenure-track assistant professors are expected to meet the following criteria:

• A strong publication track record within the specific field of research, including a significant number of corresponding authorships and at least some publications in high-ranked journals based on work carried out during the tenure-track period
• Strong external network of collaboration, including joint publications
• Experience of applying for significant research funds  
• Establishment of a strong and internationally competitive research group demonstrating clear independence of former supervisors/mentors, or/and major contributions to the development of an existing research group demonstrating an ability to collaborate within the research group
• Completed Universitetspædagogikum (https://www.ind.ku.dk/english/course_overview/up/) and established a teaching portfolio via participation in teaching, including preparation and development of departmental courses
• Successful supervision/co-supervision of MSc and PhD students

If you are applying for the position at Tenure Track Assistant Professor level please include

• Curriculum vitae including:Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Description of international network and relations (documented)
  • Grants held (as PI or project member), including career development grants
  • Outreach activities, i.e., popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Professional academic services
• Research plan - description of current and future research plans
• If available, description and documentation of teaching and supervision experience and qualifications – please describe and document:Complete publication list
  • Experience with supervision of BSc and MSc students
  • Teaching experience
  • Formal pedagogical training
• Separate reprints of up to 5 particularly relevant papers

If you are applying for the position at Associate Professor level, please include

• Curriculum vitae including:Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • Positions held at universities/research institutions
  • Description of international network and relations (documented)
  • Grants held (as PI or project member), including career development grants
  • Outreach activities, i.e., popular lectures or other activities in the media
  • Professional academic services
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Description and documentation of teaching experience and qualifications according to university guidelines
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 5 particularly relevant papers

The deadline for applications is 14 August 2022, 23:59 GMT +2.

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews/trial lectures will be held on 1 December 2022.

Please refer to the following no. in future communication in this case:

Tenure-track Assistant Professor in History and Philosophy of Science – 211-0132/22-2N

Associate Professor in History and Philosophy of Science – 211-0420/22-2E

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.