island1
New member
Posts: 3
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« on: October 11, 2009, 09:20:22 AM » |
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We are a small university in Sweden about to launch (fall 2010) a new master's (MSc) degree program in wind energy/sustainable energy and have need of someone interested in a sabbatical with us. The nature of the program subject is such that a wide range of possible openings exist, i.e., environmental, engineering, sustainable technology, project management, etc. We offer an interesting way to spend time in a part of Scandinavia, and make a meaningful contribution to a new program at the same time. English is the language of all instruction and research, with an international student body. Thanks for any suggestions.
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der_gadfly
an undeserving, yet strangely satisfied
Senior member
Posts: 368
Ah, to be young and stupid again...
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« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2009, 10:46:35 AM » |
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So you want to hire a visiting scholar? Perhaps someone who will be on sabbatical and can fill in a gap in your staffing?
I would apply if the offer was attractive (financially). I think that this may be a major factor in attracting applicants.
Of course, you could comb through the faculty listings at universities that have similar programs and offer to form a partnership - maybe an exchange program of sorts. I know of one Public Ivy in the US that had such an arrangement with a European institution. Every year would feature a different European lecturer and they would have one of the US lecturers. I don't know the particulars of the arrangements, but it did add to the grad programs.
Feel free to PM me for more details.
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island1
New member
Posts: 3
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« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2009, 12:43:51 PM » |
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Yes, a visiting scholar is probably a good description, and the thought has been that someone on sabbatical would be a starting point. Our program is new and the school is small (but well recognized in the our subject area) so we cannot start by offering some of the more recognizable attractions, i.e., there is nothing in Sweden equal to the U.S. tenure track. So it is a bit entrepreneurial in nature, and the built-in sabbatical "safety valve" might encourage more interest for the start-up phase.
Few institutions in the world today offer much in the field of wind power (as a concentration, a degree track) other than the odd course. A couple of exceptions are in Denmark and Holland where master's degrees in wind energy engineering are offered. We have something more on a traditional liberal education base, i.e., mixing modules of technology, science and management subjects. It is a one academic year program, including a required thesis. To our knowledge there is nothing yet of this nature in the U.S., but indeed we have been searching for universities (in the U.S.) where we might form some type of a working relationship as you have so well suggested. So far no success, but it is a building process of course and we are looking.
As to a financially attractive offer, it is not likely that would attempt to match a U.S. based permanent salary position, especially since an individual on sabbatical has a built-in "expiry" date, so to speak. We will try to make the position as interesting - and challenging - as possible.
Your comments have been very helpful and appreciated, but I am new to this so I am not sure about how to "PM" for more details. Thanks again.
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figee
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« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2009, 05:40:09 PM » |
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I'm not sure about other institutions, but where I am, if you are on sabbatical, you are not allowed to teach at all. Papers are fine, but sabbatical here is about research. Just a thought.
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"Eating at the Italian restaurant was a mistake." - student explaining how food poisoning was contracted while on fieldwork in Orissa.
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der_gadfly
an undeserving, yet strangely satisfied
Senior member
Posts: 368
Ah, to be young and stupid again...
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« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2009, 07:08:28 PM » |
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... but I am new to this so I am not sure about how to "PM" for more details.
Once logged in, click on the person's 'name'. Then select "send a Personal Message" near the bottom of the profile. I sent one your way. |
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dellaroux
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« Reply #5 on: October 24, 2009, 09:30:01 AM » |
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You also realize that under most circumstances you're probably talking a year or two out in terms of planning margins?
Sometimes people are looking for something last-minute, but often they're looking at a scheduled time a couple of years in advance.
Although, maybe these days, not so much....
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Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake and Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright and moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
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embitteredhistorian
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« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2009, 08:52:24 AM » |
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A friend of mine had a post doc at Stockholm University postponed for THREE YEARS. Just sayin'.
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dellaroux
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« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2009, 09:46:12 AM » |
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You might also try putting ads in some of the related journals, if you haven't already: I'm just know of STRI/CTRF, and maybe forestry and ecology programs at places like U/Maine, Yale, HU/OEB, etc.
Also, related conferences often have tables set up for displays and so on; you might book a few of those to meet people and spread the word.
EH, it sounds like a different department, I think...probably not a university-wide problem.
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Pax in terra choreagibus
Ballo non bello parare
How am I?: There are four levels: Alive, Alert, Awake and Functioning. Right now, I'm standing upright and moving forward.
We are gifted superfluously--the cosmos is more generous than we can ask or imagine.
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