Professor of History

Uppsala University

Position Overview

Title: Professor in History of Science (Hans Rausing Professorship)
Department: Department of History of Science and Ideas
Faculty: Faculty of Arts
Location: Uppsala, Sweden
Employment Type: Permanent, full-time (100%)
Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
Reference Number: UFV-PA 2025/2983

This professorship was established in 2001 through an endowment from Lisbet Rausing and is intended to strengthen the already well-established history of science research environment at the university.

Role Profile

Research (approx. 50%)

  • Conduct independent, high-level research in history of science (broadly defined).

  • Lead and develop major research projects.

  • Apply for and secure external research funding.

  • Build and lead research groups.

  • Collaborate across fields within the department.

  • Present research in academic and public contexts.

Teaching & Supervision (approx. 50%)

  • Teach at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.

  • Supervise doctoral and master’s students.

  • Develop courses and curricula.

  • Integrate research with teaching.

Leadership & Administration

  • Take on departmental and university leadership roles.

  • Participate in academic governance.

  • Contribute to strategic planning and institutional development.

  • Engage with society (public lectures, debate, outreach).

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

Scholarly Excellence

  • Strong, independent research record in history of science.

  • High-quality publications with demonstrated depth and breadth.

  • Experience securing competitive research funding.

  • Leadership in research groups or projects.

  • Capacity to shape doctoral education and long-term research agendas.

Pedagogical Excellence

  • Extensive teaching experience.

  • Supervision experience (especially PhD and master’s level).

  • Ability to link research and teaching.

  • Higher education teaching training (10 weeks or equivalent).

  • Completed doctoral supervision training (required for supervising PhDs).

Language Requirements

  • Documented ability to teach and administer in English and Swedish.

  • If Swedish proficiency is lacking, it must be acquired within two years.

Leadership & Administrative Skills

  • Experience in academic leadership.

  • Strategic planning and resource management.

  • Collegial decision-making.

  • Public engagement and societal collaboration.

Application Materials Required

  • Academic CV

  • Research statement

  • Publication list

  • Teaching portfolio

  • Other merits

  • Selected publications

  • Reflective future research & teaching plan

  • Certificates/diplomas

  • Referees

Strategic Considerations (If You Are Applying)

This position strongly emphasizes:

  • Research leadership and funding success

  • Building research environments

  • Long-term strategic vision

  • Doctoral supervision

  • Integration of research, teaching, and public engagement

The future research plan will be particularly important. It must demonstrate:

  • How you strengthen or renew the department’s research

  • How your work connects to broader intellectual and interdisciplinary environments

  • Funding strategy and doctoral training vision

Apply