PhD fellowship in Natural History Museum Ethics

Natural History Museum Denmark invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Museum Exhibition Ethics.

Start date is (expected to be) 1 September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
Museums, including the Natural History Museum Denmark, rely on codes of ethics and ethical principles to ensure their operations align with their commitments in public service. Actors in cultural and natural heritage governance create such codes for use in concert with museums’ internal policies. At the same time, calls are increasing for museums to engage with their complex histories and present-day global power structures and inequities, and to demonstrate their social impact. Promoting ethical thinking in internal and external activities can support these aims.

The Natural History Museum of Denmark maintains an internationally significant and geographically expansive collection within an active research environment at the University of Copenhagen, and is developing new exhibitions alongside its longer-term vision to connect people and nature. There is therefore a need to develop, conduct and document research around ethical considerations to inform museum best practice, especially as relates to work in the Museum’s Exhibition and Public Engagement programs and Collections and Archives.

This PhD project will support the Museum’s Ethics Review Committee in exploring shared understanding and constructive application of ethics codes and principles in the context of the Natural History Museum Denmark and in alignment with The ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums. The project may include literature reviews, comparative analyses, procedural and policy development, learning practices, and historical or qualitative research. Research within exhibition ethics and collection practices is encouraged. Visits or exchanges to further the project’s aims and build relationships with other natural history museums and relevant research environments is expected.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of museum studies, cultural heritage, public policy and administration, or a related field, with a solid background in applied ethics and qualitative research methods. Experience that bridges science and the humanities is also an advantage. The ideal candidate has experience with museum exhibitions, collections and archives preferably within natural history, and is a strong communicator in both English and Danish.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The PhD candidate will be based at the Natural History Museum Denmark, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, located in Copenhagen, working closely with the Museums’ ethics Review Committee, Exhibition Unit, and both research, exhibition and public engagement, and collection staff. A co-advisor with relevant humantities background depending on the interest of the candidate will be attached to the project. The Natural History Museum Denmark is committed to The ICOM Code of Ethics for Natural History Museums.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities includes 14 million natural history objects and associated archives from 400 years of complex collection history, as well as exhibitions and public programming.

• Principal supervisor is Professor Nina Rønsted, Natural History Museum Denmark, E-mail: nronsted@snm.ku.dkDirect Phone: 45-29827911.
• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (up to 2) (if availiable)

The PhD programme
The PhD programme of the Faculty of Science is athree year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5 3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. museum studies, public policy or similar. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant with the help of the supervisor.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision

• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Duty work within the museums exhibition department of approx. 840 hrs
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at good impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in museum studies, cultural heritage, public policy and administration, or similar degree within social science or humanities
• Solid background in applied ethics, social and environmental history, or similar
• Working knowledge of applied ethics in public sector governance and museum practice
• Fundamental understanding of natural history, biological principles and approaches
• A strong interest in methods bridging science and the humanities
• Relevant publications or similar related to the project area
• Experience working with museum collections and archives, preferably within natural history
• Experience with planning and conducting independent fieldwork in international settings
• Ability to work independently as well as strong collaboration and communication skills
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of Danish

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Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 8 May 2025, 23:59 GMT 2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified for the 5 3 model. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held medio June 2025.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 08-05-2025

Ansættelsesdato: 01-09-2025

Afdeling/Sted: Statens Naturhistoriske Museum