Unlock Thrilling Careers in History of Science: Where Past Discoveries Fuel Future Innovation!
History of Science faculty jobs offer a unique blend of intellectual rigor and discovery, tracing the evolution of human knowledge from ancient alchemy to quantum mechanics. This interdisciplinary field, pioneered by figures like George Sarton who launched the journal Isis in 1913, attracts scholars passionate about scientific revolutions, such as Thomas Kuhn's paradigm shifts outlined in his 1962 book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. With growing demand in science, technology, and society (STS) programs, opportunities abound for tenure-track positions at top universities.
Students eyeing History of Science should start with bachelor's programs emphasizing history, philosophy, and STEM, advancing to PhDs at elite institutions. Career paths span academia, museums like the Smithsonian, and policy roles. Aspiring professors, discover higher ed faculty jobs tailored to your expertise. Explore professor salaries for expected earnings, averaging $85,000 for assistant professors in the US per recent AAUP data.
Rate your History of Science professor on Rate My Professor to share insights from courses on Galileo's telescope or Darwin's voyages. Job seekers, check lecturer jobs and professor jobs. Get advice via higher ed career advice. Browse History of Science Jobs Now
Why Study History of Science?
This field uncovers quirky anecdotes, like how 19th-century phrenology—measuring skull bumps for personality—shaped early neuroscience debates, or how Marie Curie's radium research defied gender norms in 1900s Europe. Programs blend archival research with modern digital tools, preparing graduates for prestigious roles. In the US, over 50 dedicated programs exist, with fringe locales like the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole hosting unique history workshops.
Top Programs for History of Science
Harvard University
Department of the History of Science, alma mater of Kuhn. Explore Ivy League prestige.
Princeton University
Program in History of Science, focusing on early modern experiments.
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UC Berkeley
Office for History of Science and Technology, strong in environmental history.
University of Cambridge
Department of History and Philosophy of Science. View UK academic jobs.
MIT
Program in History, Anthropology, STS. Ideal for tech-history niches.
Career Paths and Job Opportunities
For Students and Early Career
Pursue PhDs (5-7 years typical), then postdocs via postdoc jobs. Paths include adjunct roles (adjunct professor jobs) or research assistants (research assistant jobs).
For Professors
Tenure-track openings at R1 universities average 20-30 annually. Niche: history of AI ethics booming since 2020. Search research jobs or California academic jobs.
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Salary Expectations in History of Science
Competitive pay reflects prestige; Ivy League boosts 30-50%. Detailed data at professor salaries.
| Role | US Average (2023) | Ivy League High |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $85,000 | $120,000+ |
| Associate Professor | $105,000 | $150,000 |
| Full Professor | $140,000 | $200,000+ |
Source: AAUP Faculty Compensation Survey. California roles average 15% higher.
Job Market Trends and Prestige
Post-2020 surge in digital history of science jobs due to online archives. Fringe quirk: Antarctic research stations hire historians for expedition logs. High prestige at Ivy League schools. Leverage career advice for resumes (free resume template).
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Find Faculty Jobs TodayAssociations for History of Science
History of Science Society
An international organization dedicated to fostering interest and research in the history of science through publications, meetings, and awards.
British Society for the History of Science
A UK-based society that promotes the study of the history of science, technology, and medicine through conferences, journals, and outreach activities.
European Society for the History of Science
An organization that advances the history of science in Europe by organizing biennial conferences and supporting scholarly networks.
Society for the History of Technology
An international society focused on promoting the study of the history of technology and its relations with science and society.
International Society for the History of Philosophy of Science (HOPOS)
A global society that encourages research in the history of philosophy of science and related topics through journals and biennial meetings.
Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science
A national organization that fosters interdisciplinary scholarship in the history and philosophy of science within Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
🔬What is History of Science?
History of Science studies the development of scientific ideas and practices, from ancient astronomy to modern genomics. Key texts like Kuhn's 1962 work shaped the field. Rate professors in Rate My Professor.
💰How much do History of Science professors earn?
US averages: $85k assistant, $140k full professor per AAUP 2023. Ivy League higher. See details at professor salaries.
🏛️What are the best universities for History of Science?
Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley lead with dedicated programs. Explore Ivy League schools and rate faculty on Rate My Professor.
📚How to become a History of Science professor?
Earn a PhD (5-7 years), publish, secure postdoc. Apply via faculty jobs. Use career advice.
📈What are job trends in History of Science?
Rising demand in STS and digital history since 2020, 20-30 tenure-track posts yearly. Check professor jobs.
⭐Famous scholars in History of Science?
Thomas Kuhn, George Sarton, Donna Haraway. Study their impacts; rate modern profs at Rate My Professor.
😲Quirky facts about History of Science?
Phrenology influenced Freud; alchemists birthed chemistry. Fringe: 1920s radium tonics sold as health cures. Learn more in top programs.
💼Where to find History of Science jobs?
AcademicJobs.com lists faculty, lecturer, and research roles. Browse higher ed jobs or US jobs.
5 Jobs Found
