The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia, PA (USA) is excited to announce three openings for projects in the area of the history of health, medicine, and disease within CHF’s Institute for Research.
Each position is part of a specified project with limited duration funding and needed project outcomes. All offer opportunities for work, collaboration, and training with other departments at CHF (museum, oral history, applied history, and outreach and interpretation). Applications must be sent individually for each open position as specific requirements and duties vary. All Research Fellows will join a thriving research community developing new tools for science studies through oral history and applied history and emerging research topics in materials and culture, health and disease, instrumentation, innovation and regulation, and experiences of minorities in science.
Review of applications will begin immediately in January 2016. The positions will remain open until filled.
1) Research Fellow: Institutional Histories of Medicine and Biosciences
The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia invites applications for a Research Fellow in the Institute for Research beginning immediately and lasting until June 30, 2018. The Research Fellow will be a part of a team of researchers on the Beckman Legacy Project examining the research developing out of the five Beckman Institutes established in the 1980s to foster cutting-edge, interdisciplinary, basic research located at Caltech, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Stanford, University of California, Irvine, and City of Hope. Special emphasis will be given to research that explores the recent history of the instrumentation revolution—particularly engaging with the nature of new imaging and visualization technologies, the broad development of tools and techniques in the life sciences, and the impact of funding availability on the materiality of experimental work. This work relies on documentary evidence, oral histories, and some archival materials. Candidates should have some familiarity with methodology in recent history.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. degree in history or a relevant social science (including familiarity with academic and applied work in science and technology policy, science studies, and/or history of science)
Desired Qualifications:
- Ability to carry out self-motivated and self-supervised work
- Superior writing and communication skills as evidenced by presentations at national and/or international meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Superior research skills, including qualitative data analysis and archival research; familiarity with oral history a significant asset
- Knowledge of and recognition in diverse fields: science studies and history of science with a special emphasis on the recent history of medicine
- High scientific and technical literacy and aptitude in related areas of study
Location: This position can be located in either Philadelphia at CHF or in CA near the research sites.
To apply: Please send a cover letter, CV or resume, two writing samples, and contact information for two references to: [email protected]
2) Research Fellow: Scientists with Disabilities Oral History Project
The Center for Oral History at the Chemical Heritage Foundation is hiring one postdoctoral fellow for a two-year limited duration position focusing on scientists with disabilities. Our goal is twofold: to conduct life-history interviews with individuals to understand better the ways in which they have navigated built environments and research structures, and the ways in which these environments and structures have changed over the last twenty-five plus years; and to build a collection of oral histories that can serve as the basis for further historical research into the lived experiences and sociotechnical framing of disability within careers in science, medicine, technology, or engineering. The fellow should have interviewing experience, subject-area expertise, and an interest in working with and developing current CHF holdings.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. degree in history or a relevant social science (including familiarity with academic and applied work in science studies, history of science, and/or disability studies)
- Interviewing experience
Desired Qualifications:
- Ability to carry out self-motivated and self-supervised work
- Superior writing and communication skills as evidenced by presentations at national and/or international meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals
- Superior research skills, including qualitative data analysis and archival research
- Knowledge of and recognition in diverse fields: science studies and history of science with a special emphasis on disability studies
- High scientific and technical literacy and aptitude in related areas of study
Location: This position is located in Philadelphia at the CHF offices.
To apply: Please send a cover letter, CV or resume, two writing samples, and contact information for two references to: [email protected]
3) Public History Fellow: Clinical Medicine in the 20th Century
The Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) is actively recruiting for the limited duration (January 2016 – December 2018) position of Public History Fellow. The Public History Fellow will work with internal teams in the museum and the Institute for Research to conceptualize a collection strategy for artifacts related to 20th-century clinical medicine. The Fellow will bring this strategy into practice through the development and implementation of exhibitions and public programs that bring these stories to wider audiences. The Public History Fellow will contribute to the conceptualization, project management, and installation of CHF exhibitions and interactives – both physical and digital; serve as the content researcher on exhibitions; use that research to create content for CHF’s multi media platforms; contribute to the maintenance and development of the permanent exhibition; and support the creation of opportunities for constituent engagement using artifact collections.
The ideal candidate would possess the following experience and qualifications.
- Master’s degree in history of science, history, or related field. Ph.D. strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated interest and commitment to public history.
- Strong knowledge of museum principles, concepts, methodologies, techniques, and procedures.
- Demonstrated record of success in the interpretation and communication of artifacts for a variety of audiences.
- Excellent written and oral communications skills, with the ability to successfully adapt to multiple audiences.
- Strong attention to detail, high-level project and time management skills.
- Proven ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-driven environment.
Location: This position is located in Philadelphia at the CHF offices.
To apply: Please send a cover letter, CV or resume, two writing samples intended for public audiences, and contact information for two references to: [email protected]
About CHF
The Chemical Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster dialogue on science and technology in society. CHF’s staff and fellows study the past in order to understand the present and inform the future. We focus on the sciences and technologies of matter and materials and their effect on our modern world, in territory ranging from the physical sciences and industries, through the chemical sciences and engineering, to the life sciences and technologies. We collect, preserve, and exhibit historical artifacts. We engage communities of scientists and engineers. We tell the stories of the people behind breakthroughs and innovations.
CHF’s Institute for Research initiates, coordinates, and conducts research at the core of CHF’s mission to foster dialogue on science and technology in society. We ground our work in the idea that historical knowledge is crucial to a full appreciation of science and technology, the roles they play in our modern world, and the ways they will help shape the future. Through work in oral history and applied history, Institute for Research staff and fellows capture history in the making and make it relevant for contemporary conversations.
CHF’s Museum exhibitions, collections, and programs inspire visitors to explore the history of science and to value science’s significance in everyday life. Through its changing exhibition program, the Museum brings fresh perspectives, including those of contemporary artists, to the public conversation surrounding science.
