JOB OPENING: Administrative Assistant, Library, New York Academy of Medicine, New York City

The Malloch Rare Book Room at the New York Academy of Medicine.

Another job alert just in from the wonderful New York Academy of Medicine! Full details follow:

Title: Administrative Assistant
Division: Library

The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health at the New York Academy of Medicine is looking for an energetic, motivated and highly organized Administrative Assistant. The Assistant will report to the Center Director, be responsible for the day to day administration of the Center and provide support to the Director and other staff members in the delivery of programs and activities.

The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health is NYAM’s newest Center, and this position offers an outstanding opportunity for an administrator looking to develop the range and depth of his or her skills and expertise. The role will suit an individual who is keen to take on new challenges. The Administrative Assistant will be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills as needed by the Center. Candidates with an interest in developing public programming and using social media to build audiences are particularly welcome.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the day to day administration of the Center
• Provide administrative support for the Director, and other department members when appropriate, including coordinating schedules and managing calendars
• Assist in research, preparation and follow-up of funding proposals
• Organize meetings for internal and external participants
• Maintain office budgets and invoicing requests
• Help plan events and programming
• Coordinate arrangements for speakers and workshop and seminar participants
• Organize and maintain filing systems and other records
•  Help manage the online presence of the Center

Qualifications

Required

• 3-5 years of related administrative experience
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy and consistency in executing tasks
• Problem solving skills and ability to work independently
• Ability to manage many projects in fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new skills
• Excellent computer and web skills including Microsoft Office Suite 
• Good grammatical, writing, proofreading, and editing ability
• Ability to interact with internal and external individuals at all levels in a professional manner

Desirable

• Familiarity with database software
• Experience using social media
• An interest in history, medicine, health, or policy issues.

Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent.

To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to hr@nyam.org.

Please include "Administrative Assistant” in subject line.

For more information, visit our website: www.nyam.org.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are

To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities
Summary and Description

Mission of the Institution

The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, evaluation, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are

• To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
• To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
• To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities

The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

The New York Academy of Medicine Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health promotes the scholarly and public understanding of the history of medicine and public health and the history of the book. The Center is made up of the Library, Rare Book and Historical Collection and Gladys Brooks Conservation Laboratory.  The Center aims to develop connections between an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, curatorial and conservation professionals, and public audiences.

The NYAM Library opened its collections to the general public in 1878, and remains the only independent research library in NYC offering access to medical and health information for members of the public. The Research Library has a collection that includes over 500,000 volumes, 275,000 portraits and illustrations and around 400,000 pamphlets.  The collection comprises primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science and other health-related disciplines. The collection is supported by an extensive reference collection of medical bibliography, biography, biographical dictionaries, dictionaries and library catalogues, as well as books on the history of books and printing.

The Center’s Rare Book and Historical Collections include a rare book collection of approximately 35,000 volumes.  Books from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries are a particular strength, as are materials related to the history of medicine in the City of New York.

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 for the express purpose of caring for the NYAM collections.  In addition to its preservation mandate, the Lab also plays an important role in the training of future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs and offers professional educational opportunities through a robust calendar of workshops and lectures.

You can find out more here.

JOB OPENING: Information Services Librarian, New York Academy of Medicine, New York City

The Malloch Rare Book Room at the New York Academy of Medicine.

For all you wonderful librarians out there who also happen to be interested in the history of medicine, I have an exciting announcement to make: The New York Academy of Medicine is advertising for a new opening for Information Services Librarian!

Full details follow; Hope one of you ends up in this role!

Information Services Librarian
Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health
The New York Academy of Medicine

Mission
The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are

• To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
• To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
• To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities
• Summary and Description

Summary and Description
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health is NYAM’s newest center and provides access to and enhances awareness of NYAM important research collections in medicine, public health and their history. The aim of the new Center is to build bridges among an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, curatorial and conservation professionals and the general public.

The NYAM Research Library
The NYAM collections, which opened its to the general public in 1878, include over 500,000 volumes, 275,000 portraits and illustrations and around 400,000 pamphlets in its Research and Rare Books and Historical sections. NYAM is the only specialized research library in NYC offering access to medical and health information for members of the general public, a mission the Information Services Librarian will be critical in fulfilling.

The Research Library collection comprises monographs in medicine, public health and health policy, an extensive journal collection, grey literature, the various databases, and primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science and other health-related disciplines. The Research Library collection is supported by an extensive reference collection of medical bibliography, biography, biographical dictionaries, dictionaries and library catalogues, as well as books on the history of books and printing.

The Research Library forms part of NYAM’s Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health. The Center is made up of the Research Library, Rare Book and Historical Collections and Conservation Laboratory. The Information Services librarian will function as the main contact person for users of the Research Library.
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

In addition to the Research Library, the Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health’s  Rare Book and Historical Collections include a rare book collection of approximately 35,000 volumes, with manuscripts and archives dating from the 17th century B.C.E. to the present.  Books from the 17th and 18th centuries are another particular area of strength, as are materials related to the history of medicine in the City of New York.  Currently, the Rare Book and Historical Collections support a variety of programs, including two residential fellowships and an annual lecture series.

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 for the express purpose of caring for the NYAM collections.  In addition to its preservation mandate, the Lab plays an important role in the training of future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs and offers professional educational opportunities through a robust calendar of workshops and lectures.

Summary and Description
The NYAM Research Library is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic librarian to provide information and reference services to NYAM Fellows and staff, members of the general public, and middle and high school students. The Information Services Librarian will be responsible for reference hours in the main reading room of the Research Library and play a central role providing users with research support. We are looking for an individual with a high level of communication and research skills, who will be proactive in helping to build the profile and activities of the Research Library.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Information Services Librarian will:

• Facilitate the use of databases and resources available in the Library, especially PubMed
• Support the research needs of staff, Fellows and corporate clients
• Assist the general public in their use of the library collections
• Provide in-depth reference searches, including searching grey literature
• Play a central role in NYAM’s Junior Fellows Program, helping middle and high school students develop and successfully complete research projects in the library
• Provide teaching and instructional sessions to Junior Fellows and participants in other NYAM programs such as EBEM (evidence-based emergency medicine) workshops
• Maintain and update Library CMS information
• Use social media to communicate Library activities and research results
• Take part in other special projects as required.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help develop the activities and profile of a new Center dedicated to creating links between recent medicine and public health material and the history of medicine and public health. The Information Services Librarian will work closely with colleagues in the Center, and other NYAM sections. In particular s/he will collaborate with colleagues in the delivery of public services, introducing students from a variety of disciplines to the Center’s collections, and teaching research skills.

Qualifications
• MLS from an ALA-accredited institution (required)
• AHIP credentials (preferred)

Experience and/or Education
Required:

• Reference experience in an academic or research library with a focus on health sciences
• Familiarity with the databases and other reference tools necessary to answer a wide variety of questions related to public health, health policy, and medicine
• A sophisticated understanding of PubMed and an ability to teach it to a variety of different user groups
• Experience engaging with a diverse audiences, from school children, especially secondary school students, to professional
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Excellent computer and web skills
• Physical ability to undertake collection management duties such as movement of books and materials weighing up to 40 lbs., and work in sometimes dusty environments.

Preferred:
• At least 3-5 years reference experience in a large health sciences library
• Teaching experience, particularly with middle and high school students
• Familiarity with medical language and terminology
• Experience using social media.

To Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to hr@nyam.org. Please include "Information Services Librarian" in subject line.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information, visit our website: www.nyam.org. 

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

You can find out more by clicking here. Click on image to see larger, finer version; image above was sourced here.

Job Opening: Assistant Conservator, The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Fascinating job alert! Full details below.

Assistant Conservator
The Royal College of Surgeons of England

£20,000 pa (36 month contract starting 4 January 2012)
Central London

With a worldwide reputation for educational excellence and state-of-the art teaching facilities, the Royal College of Surgeons of England is committed to enabling surgeons to achieve and maintain the highest standards of surgical practice and patient care. Our Museums and archives, including the renowned Hunterian Museum, offer a fascinating and vital insight into medical history and are an invaluable teaching aid that need constant care and attention.

As part of the Museums and Archives team, in this training post you will learn the skills involved in caring for comparative and human anatomy across the RCS collections. As well as auditing, monitoring and recording the integrity of our collections, you'll clean and maintain items, monitor the environmental conditions in the museums and stores and dispose of conservation waste material safely. Remedial conservation such as preserving, mounting and refurbishing will also be an important part of the role, as will ordering the necessary materials and equipment and working with the Head of Conservation to refine and develop efficient and safe conservation techniques. Last but not least, you'll recruit, induct and supervise the volunteers working on zoological materials within the museums.

Ideally with a relevant degree or museum qualification, but definitely holding a level 3 vocational qualification or equivalent, you also have practical experience of working in a museum or similar environment. A sound understanding of safe practice in the workplace is also essential, including awareness of Health & Safety issues. Reliable, consistent and with a 'can-do' approach, you're adept with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Outlook and Excel. What's more, you have clear communication skills, an openness to new ideas and the ability to follow technical instructions. The post involves coming into contact with heavy objects and some hazardous chemicals for which full training will be given. Any experience of handling human or animal tissues in a museum or laboratory context would also be an advantage.

Benefits include:

25 days' holiday (plus 4 closure days)
Defined Benefit pension scheme
Flexitime
Subsidised restaurant
In-house gym and squash court
For further information on this role and to apply please visit www.rcseng.ac.uk/about/working using reference 25/11.

Closing date: 2nd October 2011

We are an employer fully committed to our equality and diversity policies. We will judge you on your abilities and nothing else.

More on the job can be found here.

Photos of specimens from the Hunterian Museum of The Royal College of Surgeons of England by Elaine Duigenan; more here.

Atlas Obscura Seeking Editor-in-Chief!

I have just been alerted to a very exciting job opportunity that could well be the perfect job for the right person:

Friends and colleagues:

The Atlas Obscura is hiring an editor-in-chief to oversee content on our soon-to-be-relaunched web site. This will be a full-time position, working out of our offices in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Interested parties must know their orreries from their ossuaries. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to info@atlasobscura.com.

Image: Bone Monstrance from the Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic; found here.

Head of Discovery and Engagement, Wellcome Library, Employment Opportunity

To quote the new call for applications for "Head of Discovery and Engagement at the Wellcome Library," "The Wellcome Library is the one of the world's great cultural treasures: a unique and irreplaceable collection, which documents medicine and its role in society, past and present." The Wellcome Library also happens to be one of my favorite places in the world, and the newly created position of "Head of Discovery and Engagement" seems like a potentially pretty darn great job.

The closing date for applications is May 10th; full job description and details follow:

Head of Discovery and Engagement
Wellcome Library
Closing Date: 5/10/2010
Salary: £50 000 - £60 000

Job Details
The Wellcome Trust is a global charity dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. We support the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities.

The Wellcome Library is the one of the world's great cultural treasures: a unique and irreplaceable collection, which documents medicine and its role in society, past and present. As Head of Discovery and Engagement, you will play a pivotal role in making these outstanding collections accessible, a key part of an ambitious strategy to transform the Wellcome Library. This will include revolutionising our web presence and reading-room services to meet the needs of existing and new audiences and developing the Library's role as not only a world-class research resource, but also as part of Wellcome Collection, one of London's most exciting cultural destinations.

A passionate advocate for our collections, you will lead the Library's outreach, communication and marketing activities and, by developing our understanding of users and their needs, ensure we have a robust framework for evaluating our success. As a key member of the senior management team, reporting to the Head of Library, you will need to demonstrate: significant experience in a public/user focused role in a cultural environment; a commitment to audience development and engagement programmes; a proven understanding of commissioning audience research and evaluation; a good knowledge of social media and web technologies and experience of creating/commissioning web content; previous staff management experience and an ability to manage budgets/resources; excellent written and verbal communication skills across a broad range of stakeholders; a demonstrable ability to contribute creatively and enthusiastically at a strategic level. In addition a strong interest in the history of health, medicine or science would be advantageous.

For more information on the Wellcome Library and the transformation strategy, please visit: http://library.wellcome.ac.uk For more information on this role or a job description and to apply online visit: www.wellcome.ac.uk/jobs Alternatively write to: HR, Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE. Please send a CV (including salary details) and covering letter explaining how you meet the criteria and what you feel you can bring to this role.

You can find out more by clicking here. To find out more about the astounding Wellcome Library, click here.

Image: The Wellcome Library via Himetop and drawn from chrisjohnbeckett's Flickr photostream.

Job Opportunities at the Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen

My friend Thomas of the wonderful Biomedicine on Display blog and Medical Museion in Copenhagen just passed along a job description for two new positions at the Museion; From the intelligent and provocative discussions that regularly occur on his blog I get the distinct sense that this the Museion would be a most progressive and absorbing work place. Full details follow; please contact Thomas at the email below with any questions!

Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen, is looking for applicants for two new positions as asst./assoc. professor in medical science communication and medical heritage production, respectively.

Medical Museion is an integrated research and museum unit for promoting medical science communication based on the material and visual medical heritage. The research profile is centered around the contemporary history of the biomedical sciences, medical science communication studies, and studies of the production of the material and visual medical scientific heritage. The museum has a world-class collection of historical medical artefacts and images, an active program for the acquisitioning and preservation of the contemporary biomedical and biotechnological heritage, a permanent medical-historical public gallery, and an innovative temporary exhibition program.

The museum is looking for two new members of faculty to contribute to our integrated research, teaching, heritage and outreach programme focussing on late 20th century and contemporary medical and health sciences in a cultural, aesthetic and historical perspective. The aim of the programme is to develop new modes of research-based collecting, exhibition making and web-based outreach by combining scientific content, cultural interpretation and aesthetic expression in innovative ways.

On the outreach side, we are developing research-based science communication practices for a variety of audiences – spanning from health professionals to the general public – in the form of exhibitions and web products, and with special attention to the aesthetics of science communication.

On the acquisition side, we are in the process of developing research-based curatorial practices (heritage production) in close cooperation with research institutions, hospitals, pharma, biotech and medical device companies, and patient organisations in the region (‘museum 2.0’) .

The appointees are required to do research at an international level and research-based teaching; however most of the teaching obligations are substituted with museum work.

This is a summary only. The full announcement can be read here: http://tinyurl.com/ye8wtep, or here: http://www.corporeality.net/museion/2010/03/09/1-2-associate-assistant-professors-in-medical-science-communication-andor-medical-science-heritage-production. Application deadline is 25 May 2010.

Further info from professor Thomas Soderqvist, Medical Museion, University of Copenhagen, +45 2875 3801; thss@sund.ku.dk; www.corporeality.net/museion.

Image: Thomas Soderqvist, standing in front of a medical device installation in the former temporary exhbition 'Split & Splæice: Fragments From the Age of Biomedicine'.

Opening for Directorship, Glasgow Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery

The amazing Glasgow Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is seeking a new director! Full info can be found here, via Biomedicine on Display.

Shown above is a photo from the Glasgow Hunterian; caption information reads: Anatomical preparation from the Glasgow Hunterian Museum, acquired or prepared by William Hunter (1718-1783). You can see more images from this and 10 other amazing medical museums by visiting the Anatomical Theatre on-line exhibition, which can be found by clicking here.