Job Advertisement: Guides for Curiosum

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and approximately 4,700 employees. The university offers a diverse range of high-quality programs and world-leading research in several scientific fields, including the groundbreaking discovery of the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campus makes it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture.

The societal transformation and significant green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research on – and within – a society in transition. It also involves delivering education for regions that need to expand quickly and sustainably. This is where the future is created.

Are you interested in learning more? Read more here (https://www.umu.se/jobba-hos-oss/om-universitetet-som-arbetsplats/)

Description

Curiosum is a science center at Umeå University aimed at increasing interest and knowledge in science and technology among everyone, especially children and youth.

The center serves as an educational meeting place for children, youth, students, teachers, and researchers, a destination for the public, and a development environment for research, development, and innovation. During weekdays, Curiosum welcomes booked groups, primarily school classes participating in school programs, but also other groups from Umeå University, the business sector, and other organizations. On weekends, evenings, and school breaks, Curiosum is open to the public.

Curiosum is located at the Artistic Campus of Umeå University. It features a dome theater for spectacular scientific visualizations (such as a planetarium) and for showcasing film productions with various themes. Additionally, there are experimental labs for educational activities, exhibition halls, and sophisticated workshops (a makerspace) for digital manufacturing using various methods and materials. The center employs about 18 people and is led by a director. The steering committee consists of representatives from Umeå University, Umeå Municipality, and the business sector.

We are now looking for 5-10 guides who can take care of our visitors in interactive environments and activities during weekends, evenings, and school breaks. We also seek guides who can perform tasks in other areas of Curiosum's ongoing operations during weekdays, particularly taking care of school groups and other visitors.

Responsibilities

As a guide at Curiosum, your responsibilities will vary and include:

• guiding visitors in various activities and experiments in laboratories, makerspace, and exhibition environments
• welcome visitors at the reception
• guide school classes in educational activities
• present dome shows
• sell products in our shop
• act as a host at events and conferences
• communicate via social media
• photograph and film

The responsibilities involve working both independently and as part of a team.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone who:

• is a student in a degree program at Umeå University
• has completed courses totaling at least 60 ECTS credits. The degree can be in various fields such as natural sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences, or humanities, or, for example, teacher programs, engineering programs, or other relevant educational programs.
• has completed a natural science or technical education at least at the high school level, or equivalent.
• can express themselves fluently in Swedish, both orally and in writing.

We seek someone with a passionate interest in science and technology, who can inspire people of all ages, especially children and youth. Great emphasis will be placed on your attitude and ability to lead program activities in various experimental workshops and exhibitions, and to initiate meetings with an engaging approach. Previous experience working in a science center or museum is advantageous, as is experience working with children and youth, particularly in a learning environment. Experience using workshops for various methods and materials (makerspace) is also a plus.

We expect you to have a service-oriented, flexible, structured, meticulous, and proactive approach, and to appreciate taking responsibility for ensuring that your tasks are completed as planned. Additional language skills beyond Swedish are advantageous. Personal suitability and teamwork ability will be highly valued.

Please indicate in your application if you have a special interest in or qualifications related to any of the above-mentioned responsibilities.

Conditions

Your application should be submitted via the university's recruitment system Varbi and must be received by Umeå University by 2025-01-27. In this recruitment, you will only apply with your CV. In the application form, you will be asked questions about why you are applying for the advertised position and to provide information about your skills and experience related to the position.

The position as an assistant refers to 20% of a full-time position. Eligible for employment as an assistant is a student who is admitted to undergraduate or graduate education at the university and college level. The employment must be completed in parallel with studies.

The working hours are primarily scheduled for weekends, evenings, and school break days (sports and Easter breaks, as well as individual holiday days) but may also occur during office hours on weekdays. Salary is based on the applicable local agreement on salary setting for assistants at Umeå University and follows Curiosum's local working time agreement for T/A staff.

For assistant positions, employment can occur for a maximum of one year at a time, but a total of no more than three years. We strive for continuity and welcome candidates who can work as an assistant for more than one term. The employment period is from 2024-02-01 to 2024-06-15, or by agreement.

Warm welcome to submit your application!

Umeå University aims to provide an equal and equitable environment where open conversations among people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives lay the foundation for learning, creativity, and development. We therefore welcome individuals with various backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current position.

To staffing and recruitment agencies and to you as a seller: We kindly but firmly request no direct contact with staffing and recruitment agencies or sellers of additional job advertisements.