The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), Berlin,

Department III: Artifacts, Action, Knowledge, directed by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schäfer,

offers several Visiting Scholarships (residential, 3–12 months) to take place within the period from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023.

We invite scholars to apply for participation in the working group “Agriculture and the Making of Sciences (1100–1700)” of Department III. The working group explores how agricultural practices informed scientific, technological, and medical change from the twelfth to seventeenth centuries, with special focus on the study of extra-European contexts. The working group’s research theme changes annually, and in 2022-23 it will focus on the annual theme of “water”. We welcome researchers working on agricultural practices related to water, such as irrigation, water harvesting, construction and maintenance of waterworks, or water management. Their research should address the question of how these practices contributed to the development of pre-modern sciences studying water, especially how they were in relation to fields of knowledge and practices other than agriculture.

We welcome applications from candidates in every field within history, the history of science and technology, archeology, philology and art history, and with some preference for research that is multilingual and transregional in nature.

Visiting scholars receive a stipend commensurate with experience for their period of residence, and reimbursement for a return ticket to and from their place of residence. 

The successful candidates are expected to take part in the scientific life of the Institute, to advance their own research project, and to actively contribute to the working group activities during their period of residence. 

Candidates are requested to submit:

1.  a cover letter (indicating your preferred period of residence)
2.  curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
3.  a research prospectus on a topic related to the project (1000 words maximum)

Applications must be submitted in German or English via our online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/XXXXX. Please note that only complete electronic submissions uploaded to this link will be accepted. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Review of applications will commence from 1 June 2022 and continue until the working group’s capacity is full or until 31 March 2023, whichever is earlier.

The Max Planck Society strives to foster an inclusive environment for all. As an institute, MPIWG encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and/or disabilities, particularly where underrepresented in our community. Visit these webpages to learn more about MPIWG’s policies toward gender equality and recruitment practices for persons with disabilities.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science Department I (Structural Changes in Systems of Knowledge), Director: Prof. Jürgen Renn, is seeking to employ an 

Historian of knowledge in the contemporary period (m/f/d)

from September 1st, 2022 for a maximum of two years, with a contract according to the TVöD-Bund pay scale (E13) for research in the BMBF project (Grant No. 01 UG2131):

Socio-epistemic networks: Modelling historical knowledge processes

We are aiming at continuing the project after the funding period. Therefore, there is the possibility of extension.

The research project aims to model historical developments of knowledge systems by combining the analysis of semantic changes with their coupling and feedback to sociological and institutional changes. The successful candidate will work on applying methods for the historical time-dependent complex multilayer networks to historical cases of her/his choice. To complement the existing research team, the successful candidate should have a strong focus on the history of modern science, a robust knowledge of network theory and applications, an interest in social and semantic modelling and their historiographical implications. Ideally, the candidate should be interested in developing a project on the history of computer-guided modelling.

Requirements

• PhD in the history of science, computer science or related fields; the PhD should have been completed by the beginning of the project.
• Experience with the application of network analysis to historical research
• Robust knowledge of network theory and applications
• Interest in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history, computer science, and modelling.

We offer:

• 100% TVöD (Bund) E13 for a maximum of two years
• Creative work environment in a world class research institution
• Independent research in an international team

The Max Planck Society aims to increase the proportion of women in those areas in which they are currently underrepresented. We therefore specifically encourage women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more disabled individuals, and applications from disabled people are especially welcome.

The application should contain a summary of the PhD project, a list with at least one referee who will be contacted if the candidate is shortlisted, a CV including a selection of publications and a short letter of motivation.

Candidates are requested to submit their applications via our online portal:

https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347793

Only submissions via this portal will be accepted.

The deadline for submission is June 10th, 2022 (23:59 h CET).

Interviews will be held from June 27th to July 1st.

Das Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte sucht

zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt, zunächst befristet bis zum 31. März 2023, mit der Möglichkeit der Verlängerung

eine studentische Hilfskraft (m/w/d) (12 Std./ Woche)

Aufgabengebiet: Unterstützende Tätigkeiten für das Fachreferat Sinologie in der Bibliothek des Max-Planck-Instituts für Wissenschaftsgeschichte, wie z. B. Literaturrecherche, Unterstützung bei der Erstellung von Bibliographien, Vorbereitung von Buchbestellungen und Kontrolle der Lieferungen, vorbereitende Arbeiten für die Katalogisierung, Übernahme von Scan- und Kopieraufträgen

Anforderungen: Erststudium an einer Berliner oder Brandenburgischen Hochschule, vorzugsweise der Sinologie, Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft oder Editionswissenschaft ab dem zweiten abgeschlossenen Fachsemester. Ausgezeichnete Chinesischkenntnisse, sehr gute Kenntnisse der chinesischen Schrift (Lang- und Kurzzeichen) und ihrer Transliterationssysteme, insbesondere Pinyin. Gute Kenntnisse der deutschen oder englischen Sprache. Gute wissenschaftliche Recherchekompetenzen. Erforderlich sind außerdem eine gewissenhafte und serviceorientierte Arbeitsweise und die Fähigkeit sowohl selbstständig, als auch im Team zu arbeiten. Das Interesse an einer Tätigkeit in einem bibliothekarischen Umfeld in einer Forschungseinrichtung ist von Vorteil.

Arbeitszeit und Vergütung: Die wöchentliche Arbeitszeit beträgt 12 Stunden. Die Vergütung erfolgt im Rahmen der Regelungen für die Nachwuchsförderung der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft.

Ihre schriftliche Bewerbung mit Lebenslauf, Zeugniskopien und der aktuellen Semester-/Immatrikulationsbescheinigung reichen Sie bitte ausschließlich elektronisch über das Bewerberportal des Instituts ein:

https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347792

bis zum 15. Juni 2022

Die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft ist bemüht, mehr schwerbehinderte Menschen zu beschäftigen. Bewerbungen Schwerbehinderter sind ausdrücklich erwünscht.

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin (MPIWG) Department 3 is looking to employ
one student assistant (up to 83 hours per month),
from September 1, 2022, until March 31, 2023, with the possibility of extension(s).

The student assistant will support research tasks in the “Visualizations of the Heavens” Working Group—which focuses on visual representations and material objects in the creation, change, and movement of astral knowledge across space and time—as well as administrative tasks in the Department Office. The Working Group includes international scholars, and the student assistant will mainly assist their research by extending and maintaining a protected image database and by supporting related (geo)visualization projects. Research tasks will include:

• control, verification, and standardization of existing database entries;
• library research, scanning books, uploading visual material and metadata to the database; and
• supporting the group’s research projects and activities.

In addition, the student assistant will support the Department Office with administrative tasks ranging from supporting international visitors and scientific events, maintaining and updating webpages and various databases, to assisting with editorial work on miscellaneous texts.

Native German speakers with a good command of English and native English speakers with a good command of German are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must be enrolled at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg, preferably in one of the following disciplines: art history, history of science, intellectual or regional history, museum or library studies, or related disciplines. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree should be in at least their third semester of study. Applicants should have a good working knowledge of modern information technology and the ability to work both independently and in a team. Experience with digital humanities (such as visual databases and GIS software) is considered an advantage.

The hourly rate is calculated according to the Max Planck Society’s program to support junior scholars: 12,00 € for bachelor’s students, and 13,95 € for students enrolled in a master’s program who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace for all. As an institute, MPIWG encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and/or disabilities, particularly where underrepresented in our workforce. Visit these webpages to learn more about MPIWG’s policies toward gender equality and hiring practices for persons with disabilities.

Please apply via the online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347794 by attaching a letter of application, CV, and a scan of your current certificate of enrollment (Immatrikulations-/Semesterbescheinigung) – before June 26, 2022. Only electronic applications through the portal will be accepted. Finalists will be interviewed during the week of July 4, 2022, and the successful candidate will be notified during the week of July 18, 2022. Please note that only the successful candidate will be notified.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin
is seeking to appoint a
Research Officer (full-time preferred)
– salary based on TVöD up to level E13 (depending on qualifications); fixed term (two years)
starting as soon as possible

One of more than 80 institutes of the Max Planck Society (MPG), the MPIWG is among the world’s largest research institutions in the field of the history of science. It consists of three research departments, each headed by a director, along with several research groups dedicated to interdisciplinary scholarship in the history of science. The departments carry out research projects and maintain close collaborative relationships with partners in Germany and abroad. They are supported by the Institute’s central service units. The Institute is currently in the process of appointing a new director for Department II.

As Research Officer, you will help to set up this research department in its new form, working in close liaison with the Institute’s directors and management team. You will be the first point of contact for the new Department II director and will support the department’s integration into all the relevant domains of the Institute and the Institute’s general structure.

Your tasks will be:                                                                                             

• to support the process of setting up the new department’s research infrastructure and long-term planning (office space, staffing, finance)
• to assist in the recruitment and appointment of staff
• to support the director in creating departmental structures and integrating them into existing institutional workflows (administration, library, research IT, communications, technical IT)
• to represent the department on operational-level Institute committees
• to prepare information and documents issued centrally by the Institute and the MPG General Administration (contracts, etc.) for the new director’s induction
• to draw up plans for embedding the new department in the German and international research landscape
• to develop a guest scholar program
• to plan and create the department’s online presence within the Institute website
• to draw up strategies for acquiring external funding
• to prepare collaborations and cooperation agreements

Your profile:

You must have at least a master’s degree in a humanities discipline, preferably with a historical orientation, and proof of experience in academic administration. Knowledge of current debates in the history of knowledge and the history of science is desirable. We also require experience in project management, familiarity with the German and international research landscape, experience of external funding acquisition, and excellent knowledge of German and English. In addition, you should have outstanding communication and teamwork skills, flexibility, resilience, a highly organized way of working, and experience or interest in working in an international setting.

What we offer:

The salary is based on the German public service salary scale TVöD (Bund) at level E13. The appointment is fixed-term (two years).

The Max Planck Society is committed to fostering equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome applicants from all sectors of society, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disabilities, or sexual orientation. The Max Planck Society aspires to increase the proportion of women in those domains where they are underrepresented, and applications from women are therefore especially encouraged. It also aims to employ more people with disabilities, who are expressly invited to apply.

The MPIWG places great value on the compatibility of work and family life. We support our employees by enabling family-friendly working hours, offering opportunities to work from home, and helping to find suitable childcare and schools.

Your application:

Please submit your application (cover letter, CV, copies of qualifications, and employment references) as separate PDF documents (apart from the qualifications and references, which should be combined as one PDF file for qualifications, another for references), along with details of two referees, through the following application portal:

https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347787

Your application must reach us by May 25, 2022, 23:59 CEST (the deadline will be extended until a successful candidate has been found).

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), Berlin, Department III
is looking to employ
Two Student Assistants up to 19 hours per week.

Starting date: as soon as possible, limited until 31 March 2023, with the possibility of extension.

Native Chinese speakers with a good command of German and/or English and native German speakers with a good command of Chinese and/or English are encouraged to apply. Ability to read classical Chinese is considered an advantage. Applicants must be enrolled at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg, and those without a bachelor’s degree should be in at least their third semester of study. They should have a good working knowledge of modern information technology and the ability to work both independently and in a team.

Duties: supporting project members with the organization of scientific events, editorial work on scientific texts (especially in Chinese, German, and English), maintenance/updating of the department website, and helping to maintain databases and digital repositories.

The hourly rate is calculated according to the Max Planck Society’s program to support junior scholars: 12,00 € for bachelor’s students, and 13,95 € for students enrolled in a master’s program who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace for all. As an institute, the MPIWG encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and/or disabilities, particularly where underrepresented in our workforce. Information about the MPIWG can be found at: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de.

Please apply via the online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347784 by attaching a letter of application, CV, and a scan of your current certificate of enrolment (Immatrikulations-/Semesterbescheinigung) - by 31 May 2022 (23:45 CET).

Please note that only complete electronic submissions uploaded through the portal will be accepted.

Only successful candidates will be notified.

Das Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte (MPIWG)
sucht zum nächst möglichen Zeitpunkt
zur Verstärkung des zentralen IT-Teams
eine*n Mitarbeiter*in IT Support (m/w/d)
(in Vollzeit, auf zwei Jahre befristet)

Das MPIWG ist eines von mehr als 80 Instituten der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft e.V. und eines der weltweit führenden Forschungszentren für die Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Es bietet exzellente Arbeitsbedingungen für seine Wissenschaftler*innen und fördert nachhaltig die Anwendung digitaler Methoden in den Geisteswissenschaften.

Für die Forschung am Institut werden intensiv computergestützte Tools und Methoden genutzt. Dazu gehören ein komplexes Serversystem (sowohl physisch/dezidiert wie auch VM), eine auf Mac OSX basierte Arbeitsplatzumgebung, zahlreiche digitale Archive und Datenbanken, web-basierte Forschungsprojekte, sowie eine umfangreiche Medientechnik für audio-visuelle Präsentation und Aufzeichnung und Vieles mehr.

Für die Verstärkung unserer zentralen IT-Serviceeinheit suchen wir daher eine/n hochqualifizierte*n und motivierte*n Mitarbeiter*in für unseren IT Support, die*der auch Interesse und Bereitschaft zeigt, die IT-Infrastruktur in enger Zusammenarbeit mit den IT-Forschern und Abteilungen unseres Instituts zu unterstützen und weiterzuentwickeln.

Das Aufgabengebiet

• Service und Support von Apple- /PC-Systemen/Linux
• Annahme, Bearbeitung und Dokumentation von 1st und 2nd Level Support Anfragen
  • per Telefon oder Tickettool
  • Fortlaufende Dokumentation der IT-Umgebung
• Einrichtung von Computer-Arbeitsplätzen (Mac), Telefonie und Peripherie (Drucker, Scanner etc.)
  • Installation von Software und Betriebssystem mit Hilfe von Softwareverteilung
  • Konfiguration / Test Betriebssystem, Utilities und Anwendungssoftware
  • Einbindung ins Netzwerk
  • Dokumentation, Inventarisierung
  • Reparaturen
  • Auf- und Abbau von Arbeitsplätzen
  • Benutzerverwaltung
• Anwender-Unterstützung (2nd Level Support)
  • Analyse auftretender System- und Anwendungsfehler
  • Wartung von Peripherie wie Drucker, Scanner oder MFP
  • Unterstützung des mobilen Arbeitens der Mitarbeiter (iOS und Android)
  • Eventsupport in unseren Konferenzräumen
  • Support für die Medientechnik (Audio und Video) und Aufzeichnungstechnik
  • Betreuung und Support der Clientsysteme (vornehmlich Mac)
• Unterstützung bei unterschiedlichen IT-Projekten
  • Rollout neuer Betriebssysteme oder Hardware
  • Erweiterung der Infrastruktur in Zusammenarbeit mit dem internen 3rd Level Support
  • Überwachung verschiedener Systeme (Nagios etc.)
  • Mitarbeit an IT-gestützten Systemen für die wissenschaftlichen Anforderungen
  • Standortübergreifende IT Projekte
• Sonstige Sachaufgaben
  • Inventar-Verwaltung
  • Materialverwaltung Verbrauchsmaterial und Ersatzteile
  • Produkt-Evaluationen

Ihr Profil

Sie haben ein Studium der Informatik abgeschlossen oder Sie verfügen über eine vergleichbare Qualifikation, oder Sie haben eine Ausbildung zum Fachinformatiker/ zur Fachinformatikerin (Systemintegration) oder eine gleichwertige Ausbildung erfolgreich abgeschlossen.

Idealerweise haben Sie bereits Berufserfahrung in den genannten Bereichen. Folgende Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten setzen wir voraus:

• Erste Berufserfahrung als Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration / IT-Support
• Gute Erfahrung mit Apple-Hardware und dem dazugehörigen OS
• Erfahrung mit der Arbeit mit Datenbanksystemen: Konzeption, Programmierung, Dokumentation, laufende Pflege und Wartung, Fehlerbehebung
• Kundenorientierung, Teamgeist, sowie Kontaktfreude und Kommunikationstalent
• Organisationsfähigkeit und analytisches Denkvermögen
• Ein kooperativer und verantwortungsbewusster, selbständiger und strukturierter Arbeitsstil
• Flexibles, lösungsorientiertes Denken und verantwortungsbewusstes Arbeiten
• Fachkenntnisse gängiger Medientechniksysteme wären von Vorteil
• hohes Maß an Servicebewusstsein
• Fließende Deutschkenntnisse, sowie gute Englischkenntnisse in Wort und Schrift.
• Wünschenswert sind  Kenntnisse in Bezug auf die Zertifizierung nach ISO 27001 auf der Basis von IT-Grundschutz (z.B. BSI-Standards oder IT-Grundschutz-Kompendium

Es erwartet Sie eine abwechslungsreiche und sehr verantwortungsvolle Tätigkeit mit hoher Eigenverantwortung in einem kleinen, jungen und motivierten Team. Wir bieten berufliche Fortbildungsmöglichkeiten in einem dynamischen internationalen Umfeld.

• Das Entgelt richtet sich je nach Qualifikation nach dem Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst (TVöD Bund). Daneben werden Sozialleistungen entsprechend den Regelungen für den öffentlichen Dienst gewährt. 


Die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft will den Anteil von Frauen in den Bereichen erhöhen, in denen sie unterrepräsentiert sind. Frauen werden deshalb ausdrücklich aufgefordert, sich zu bewerben. Die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, mehr schwerbehinderte Menschen zu beschäftigen. Bewerbungen Schwerbehinderter sind ausdrücklich erwünscht. Wir legen an unserem Institut großen Wert auf die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie, wir unterstützen unsere Mitarbeiter durch eine familienfreundliche Gestaltung der Arbeitszeit, wir bieten Möglichkeiten für home office, und wir helfen bei der Suche nach geeigneten Kinderbetreuungsmöglichkeiten und Schulen.

Ihre Bewerbungsunterlagen - Anschreiben, Lebenslauf, Zeugniskopien - reichen Sie bitte auf Deutsch oder Englisch

bis zum 30. Mai 2022 (23:59 MEZ)

über das folgende Bewerberportal ein

https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347777

Bitte beachten Sie, dass nur elektronisch über dieses Portal eingereichte Bewerbungen angenommen werden können. Bewerbungseingänge per email können wir leider nicht berücksichtigen.

Weitere Informationen über das Institut und seine wissenschaftliche Ausrichtung finden Sie unter https://mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), Berlin, Department III: Artifacts, Action, Knowledge, directed by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schäfer, 
offers several Visiting Scholarships (residential, 4–12 months),
to take place within the period from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2023.

We invite scholars to apply for participation in the working group “Proteins and Fibers” of Department III. The working group explores how multidisciplinary scientific approaches, methods, and techniques are used to analyze traces of animals in history. The working group’s research theme will focus on animal matter and how scientists analyze them to reconstruct histories of different scales. Visiting scholars’ research should address the question of how animal artifacts or materials derived from animals are characterized in museum conservation, zooarchaeological, proteomic, and/or archaeogenetic practices, or materials science.

We welcome applications from candidates in every field within history, the history of science and technology, science and technology studies, archaeology, fiber and material studies, and with some preference for research that is multilingual and transregional in nature.

Visiting scholars receive a stipend commensurate with experience for their period of residence, and reimbursement for a return ticket to and from their place of residence. 

The successful candidates are expected to take part in the scientific life of the Institute, to advance their own research project, and to actively contribute to the working group and the department’s activities during their period of residence. 

Candidates are requested to submit:

1.  a cover letter (indicating your preferred period of residence)
2.  curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
3.  a research prospectus on a topic related to the project (1000 words maximum)

Applications must be submitted in German or English via our online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/20774914.

Please note that only complete electronic submissions uploaded to this link will be accepted. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Review of applications will commence from 1 February 2022 and continue until the working group’s capacity is full or until 30 June 2023, whichever is earlier.

The Max Planck Society strives to foster an inclusive environment for all. As an institute, MPIWG encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and/or disabilities, particularly where underrepresented in our community. Visit these webpages to learn more about MPIWG’s policies toward gender equality and recruitment practices for persons with disabilities.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG), Berlin, Department III: Artifacts, Action, Knowledge, directed by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schäfer, offers several Visiting Scholarships (residential, 3–12 months) to take place within the period from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

We invite scholars to apply for participation in the working group Agriculture and the Making of Sciences (1100–1700) of Department III. The working group explores how agricultural practices informed scientific, technological, and medical change from the twelfth to seventeenth centuries, with special focus on the study of extra-European contexts. The working group’s research theme changes annually, and in 2022 it will focus on the annual theme of "water." We welcome researchers working on agricultural practices related to water, such as irrigation, water harvesting, construction and maintenance of waterworks, or water management. Their research should address the question of how these practices contributed to the development of pre-modern sciences studying water, especially how they were in relation to fields of knowledge and practices other than agriculture.

We welcome applications from candidates in every field within history, the history of science and technology, archeology, philology and art history, and with some preference for research that is multilingual and transregional in nature.

Visiting scholars receive a stipend commensurate with experience for their period of residence, and reimbursement for a return ticket to and from their place of residence. 

The successful candidates are expected to take part in the scientific life of the Institute, to advance their own research project, and to actively contribute to the working group activities during their period of residence. 

Candidates are requested to submit:

1.  a cover letter (indicating your preferred period of residence)
2.  curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
3.  a research prospectus on a topic related to the project (1000 words maximum)

Applications must be submitted in German or English via our online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/19628039

Please note that only complete electronic submissions uploaded to this link will be accepted. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Review of applications will commence from December 1, 2021 and continue until the working group’s capacity is full or until June 30, 2022, whichever is earlier.

The Max Planck Society strives to foster an inclusive environment for all. As an institute, MPIWG encourages applications from individuals regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, and/or disabilities, particularly where underrepresented in our community. Visit these webpages to learn more about MPIWG’s policies toward gender equality and recruitment practices for persons with disabilities.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin 
Department III: Artifacts, Action, Knowledge, directed by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schäfer, offers several
 Visiting Scholarships (residential, 3–12 months)
to take place in the period September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2023.

We invite scholars to apply for participation in the Working Group "Visualizations and Material Cultures of the Heavens in Eurasia and North Africa (4000 BCE–1700 CE)" of Department III, more information here. The Working Group’s research focuses on visual representations and material objects in the creation, change, and movement of astral knowledge across space and time. A growing image database serves as the main tool to collect and research the manifold objects and their imagery, the practices and relations of their production, reproduction and transmission, and their roles in organizing knowledge and creating meaning in different sociocultural contexts like politics, rituals, religion or medicine. We welcome scholars working on the visualization of astral knowledge in any time period before 1700 CE, preferably focused on one of the following geographical regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia, Asia Minor, Egypt, North Africa, and Europe (with an emphasis on Slavonic, Caucasian, Black Sea, or Celtic cultures).

We welcome applications from scholars in every field within history, history of science and technology, art history, archaeology, philology, cultural history, religious studies, or museum studies, with a focus on visual representations or objects and some preference for research addressing the multilingual and transregional nature of the project. Successful applicants are expected to advance their own research project under the Working Group’s overall research agenda, and to actively contribute to the Working Group activities during their period of affiliation. In particular, they are expected to systematically and comparatively identify and discuss relevant visual materials in the framework of the Working Group’s protected image database. They are also encouraged to actively take part in the scientific life of the Institute with its many academic activities like conferences, workshops, seminars, and colloquia.

Visiting scholars receive a stipend commensurate with rank and experience for their period of residence, and reimbursement for a return ticket to and from their place of residence.

Candidates are requested to submit:

1. a cover letter (indicating your preferred period of residence)
2. curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
3. a research prospectus on a topic related to the project (1000 words maximum)

Applications must be submitted via our online application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/18481156.

Please note that only complete electronic submissions uploaded to this link will be accepted. Applications sent via email will not be accepted. Only successful candidates will be notified.

Review of applications will commence from May 31, 2021, and afterwards occur regularly every three months. This call will remain active until the Working Group’s capacity is full or until February 28, 2023, whichever is earlier.

Applications may be submitted in German or English. Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply; applications from women are especially welcome. The Max Planck Society is committed to promoting individuals with disabilities and encourages them to apply.