Hello everyone,

Below is a job announcement for the Curator/Chair of the Division of Medicine and Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History that Eric Hintz of the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center has asked me to forward. Note the August 18 deadline – Eric sent it a couple of weeks ago but I was travelling with family and must apologize for the delay.

Eric tells me that the job is suitable for a mid-career scholar and that “Note: In addition to lots of scientific instruments and medical technology, the Division of Medicine and Science includes the museum’s computing collections, which includes some truly incredible artifacts, e.g. panels from the ENIAC, Jack Kilby’s integrated circuit, Robert Metcalfe’s prototype Ethernet card and invention notebooks, etc. “

However he also cautions that a successful candidate would have to present him or herself with broader history of science interests in which the history of computing was a focus area. Particularly as the announcement calls for “research in the history of American science or medicine” and does not mention technology.

Best wishes,

Tom

On Jul 21, 2014, at 12:40 AM, "Hintz, Eric" <HintzE@si.edu> wrote:

Dear Tom-

I hope all is well. Here’s a job announcement for Curator/Chair of the Division of Medicine and Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Note: In addition to lots of scientific instruments and medical technology, the Division of Medicine and Science includes the museum’s computing collections, which includes some truly incredible artifacts, e.g. panels from the ENIAC, Jack Kilby’s integrated circuit, Robert Metcalfe’s prototype Ethernet card and invention notebooks, etc.

I’d be grateful if you would post this to SHOT’s SIGCIS group or forward to any mid-career scholars who might be interested….

Thanks!

Eric Hintz

======================
Eric S. Hintz, Ph.D.
Historian, Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution

MRC 604, P. O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012
PHONE: 202-633-3734
FAX: 202-633-4593
hintze@si.edu
http://invention.smithsonian.org

-----

Supervisory Museum Curator (Chair), Division of Medicine and Science

National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution

Accepting Applications through August 18, 2014

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) is seeking an experienced scholar to serve as Curator and Chair of the Division of Medicine and Science. The incumbent will pursue his/her own research in the history of American science or medicine; collect historically significant artifacts and manage existing collections; develop and direct exhibition projects and educational programs; and lead the Division of Medicine and Science’s curatorial staff. This position is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced scholar-administrator to work with an unparalleled medical and scientific collection at one of the world’s leading museums, serving nearly 5 million visitors per year in Washington, DC.

This is a full-time, permanent, federally-funded position at the GS-14 level ($106,263 to $138,136 per year, plus substantial benefits), with promotion potential to GS-15. The position is open to all U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals. The National Museum of American History is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

DUTIES:

Serves as member of the Curatorial Affairs management team advising the Associate Director on long-term plans and intellectual emphases for the museum, the division, and specific exhibitions.
Leads and manages the Division of Medicine and Science staff; develops recommendations for research, collections, exhibitions, and educational programs; and implements museum plans and priorities.
Serves as Project Director for major exhibitions.
Pursues his/her own research of a substantial scholarly level in history of science or medicine; writes and publishes scholarly articles, monographs, books, and various forms of digital scholarship; and is active in professional organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Basic Requirements:

Degree in museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field related to the position. OR
Combination of education and experience - courses equivalent to a major, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. OR
Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in #1 above.

Additional Requirements (Specialized Experience):

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal Service or comparable pay band system. For this position, specialized experience is defined as researching, collecting, and exhibiting material culture related to history of American science or medicine. This experience is demonstrated through a range of research products such as scholarly articles, teaching, lectures, oral histories, archival holdings, museum collections, exhibitions, and/or public programming.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should consult the official job announcement and apply online via USAJobs.gov, Job Title: Supervisory Museum Curator (Chair), GS-1015-14, job announcement #14A-MR-299567A-DEU-NMAH. See https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/373134900. We will be accepting applications through August 18, 2014.

For questions concerning the application process, contact the museum’s personnel manager, Erika Mack-Dillaber: macke@si.edu; 202-633-3555. For questions about the Division of Medicine and Science and the advertised position, contact Curator and Interim Chair Deborah J. Warner: warnerd@si.edu; 202-633-3421.