Professor in Preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage

https://www.workwithus.dk/professor-preservation-underwater-cultural-heritage?page=3

Professor in Preservation of Underwater Cultural Heritage The use of natural sciences to study and enable the preservation of archaeological materials deposited underwater has a long tradition in Denmark. The National Museum of Denmark has been a pioneering institution since the 1960s in both the development of underwater archaeological techniques and conservation of underwater finds. Through research into archaeological materials deposited underwater, it has been possible to identify the various cultural and natural (physical, chemical and biological) threats to this heritage in order to document their effects and where possible develop sustainable strategies to preserve these sites. Furthermore, in a rapidly changing ocean environment and increasing human exploitation of the marine environment, it is necessary to develop new concepts for assessing and preserving this resource. It is with this background that the National Museum wishes to create a permanent professorship in the preservation of underwater cultural heritage, in order to strengthen and further develop research in this area and to highlight and preserve Denmark´s rich underwater cultural heritage.

Job description

The Professor is expected to make a significant contribution to research and must ensure that research and outreach activities within the area are thriving. Furthermore, he or she must act as a mentor and academic supervisor to young researchers and research students. The responsibilities will primarily consist of:

  • Developing research projects at an internationally competitive level
  • Academic and public dissemination of the research results. Emphasis is placed on experience in communicating the research to a broad public in accordance with the museum´s strategy
  • Acquisition of competitive funding
  • Performing leadership, including the guidance and supervision of young researchers
  • Engaging in the museum´s internal and external academic activities
  • Contribute to the overall fulfillment of the museum´s strategy: https://en.natmus.dk/organisation/management-secretariat-and-research-administration/

Required qualifications

We are looking for an internationally recognized researcher who:

  • holds a PhD in a relevant discipline e.g., in Archaeological science, Conservation science or Environmental Archaeology or similar
  • has theoretical knowledge and practical experience of assessing and monitoring artifacts and site environment underwater using appropriate chemical, microbiological, marine geophysics and marine sedimentological methods
  • has a high degree of original academic production at an international level, including considerable contributions to the development of the academic discipline
  • has a good track-record in attracting competitive funds
  • has a high degree of experience in inter-disciplinary research, including good collaboration skills
  • has substantial practical experience with field work, especially at sea, and laboratory work
  • has qualifications and up-to date medical certificates for commercial diving with both SCUBA and surface supply
  • has experience and skills in leadership, management and administration

Since the primary working language at the National Museum is Danish, non-Danish-speaking applicants are expected to acquire the necessary Danish language skills within a short period of time (max. two years).

The employment is associated with regular travel activity and requires the possession of a valid driving license (category B).

Terms of salary and employment

The working hours are 37 hours a week. Terms of pay and employment are determined in accordance with the collective agreement for academics employed by the Danish state and executive order of 30 October 2015 on the job structure for academic staff with research responsibilities in archives, libraries, museums etc. under the Danish Ministry of Culture on remuneration in pay scale 37.

The position as Professor is expected to be filled on 1 October 2023 or as soon as possible hereafter.

The place of employment is the National Museum, Section for Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, Modewegsvej 11, Brede, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby. The National Museum in Brede is situated c. 15 km north of Copenhagen.

Application procedure

The National Museum is actively working to promote equality among employees and encourages all qualified, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

The application is to be submitted in English and must include the following:

  • Letter with motivation for the application (max. one page)
  • Curriculum vitae, incl. education, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
  • Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
  • Research plan with a description of current and future research plans (max. 3-5 pages)
  • Individual copies of publications to be considered in the assessment. Applicants may choose a maximum of five scholarly works, of which a maximum of two may be monographs, and at least three of the works must have been published no more than five years before the application deadline. Full copies must be sent by post or uploaded as pdf (maximum size pr. file 2 mb) via the electronic recruitment system. Links to publications are not accepted
  • Transcript of university exams into English, if not written in English, Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish

If a publication to be considered in the evaluation has more than one author, or is the result of a collective effort, it must be clearly specified which part of the publication the applicant is responsible for. In the absence of a specification, the Assessment Committee will disregard that publication(s).

Applications must be sent via the electronic recruitment system on our website www.natmus.dk/job and must be uploaded by June 26 2023.

Any publications to be included in the assessment must be received by the National Museum on June 26 2023. Publications can either be uploaded to the recruitment system or sent to Nationalmuseet, Frederiksholms Kanal 12, DK-1220 København K, Denmark, marking the envelope ‘Personale’. Publications sent to the Museum must be submitted in 3 copies. Only books or similar will be returned.

The Research Council of the Ministry of Culture will set up an expert Assessment Committee to evaluate the applications. When the Committee has completed its assessment, each applicant will receive the part of the overall assessment that specifically refers to her/him. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews in a panel set up by the National Museum.

For specific questions about the position, please contact Deputy Director Lars Højer, lars.hojer@natmus.dk, phone +45 41 20 69 05 or Head of Research Peter Rasmussen, peter.rasmussen@natmus.dk, phone +45 41 20 65 45.






Nationalmuseet er Danmarks kulturhistoriske hovedmuseum og et statsmuseum under Kulturministeriet. Nationalmuseet styrker historiebevidsthed og medborgerskab ved at belyse Danmarks og verdens kulturer og deres indbyrdes afhængighed. Ca. 655 medarbejdere er fordelt på 4 afdelinger: Forskning, Samling og Bevaring, Museer og Slotte, Nationalmuseet København samt Drift og Administration. Se mere om Nationalmuseet på www.natmus.dk