The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is an internationally respected research institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) with currently two research departments, several research groups, and a graduate school. At the MPIWG, around 150 scholars from all over the world investigate the sciences past and present, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. The MPIWG is renowned worldwide as a hub for reflection on the role of the sciences in politics and society. It is located in southwestern Berlin, close to the campus of the Free University Berlin and other research institutions.
The project “The Sphere. Knowledge System Evolution and the Shared Scientific Identity of Europe” (https://sphaera.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de) led by Matteo Valleriani, seeks to appoint
a Postdoctoral Scholar (m/f/d)
for two years, with employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E13)
starting as soon as possible.
The overarching objective of the Sphere project is to investigate the processes of transformation within knowledge systems, with a particular emphasis on the homogenization of scientific knowledge. The project focuses on late medieval and early modern astronomical knowledge, specifically as it circulated in the form of university textbooks and commentaries.
The study of early modern scientific commentaries is crucial in understanding the production of knowledge during this period. Within fields such as natural philosophy, the mathematical sciences, and particularly astronomy, commentaries served as a primary medium for developing and presenting new ideas. These texts often diverged from their reference works, either by challenging them directly or by exploring new concepts that were only loosely related to the original texts. As a result, late medieval and early modern commentaries frequently exhibit a heterogeneous mix of content compared to the traditional texts within these disciplines.
The postdoc position aims to investigate a selection of early modern commentaries on late medieval astronomical works. The goals are twofold:
a) To describe the diversity of topics that emerge through this mode of knowledge production.
b) To deepen the understanding of one or more of these topics, aligned with the research interests of the scholar who fills the position.
The commentaries span from the mid-15th century to the mid-17th century. While the commentary corpus is predefined, the candidate will be responsible for selecting specific texts based on the subjects they wish to explore further. This corpus is outlined in the Sphere project and is accessible through its online database: https://db.sphaera.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de
Your responsibilities:
- Describe the diversity of topics that emerge through this mode of knowledge production
- Deepen the understanding of one or more of these topics, aligned with the research interests of the scholar who fills the position
- Publish the results of your research with internationally recognized journals and publishers
- Participate actively in the project meetings and other events at the MPIWG
Your profile:
- A completed Ph.D. in a relevant field.
- In-depth knowledge of late Medieval and early modern European science.
- Familiarity with the institutional settings of science during the early modern period, such as universities and courts.
- Proficient knowledge of Latin.
- Proficiency in English, sufficient to present research findings effectively in both oral and written forms.
- Familiarity with Digital Humanities approaches is desirable.
What we offer:
- flexible working hours; the opportunity to work from home as arranged with your superior; the opportunity to work part-time
- annual year-end bonus; occupational pension (VBL); subsidy for public transportation within Berlin or Germany (“Jobticket”); paid leave on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) in addition to regular annual leave
- weekly in-house yoga classes; regular information on occupational health management courses offered by our partner health insurance companies
- access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy
- close contact with all research and research-support units with the opportunity for direct, personal dialogue
- an international setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace. As an institute of the MPG, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science supports a working community for all free from discrimination and harassment. We explicitly encourage applications from qualified individuals who belong to groups that are often underrepresented in the workplace due to age, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender, nationality, race, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or religion.
Please follow the links to find out more about the MPIWG’s policies on gender equality and hiring practices for people with disabilities, as well as Germany’s anti-discrimination laws as outlined in the General Equal Treatment Act.
Your application:
Please submit your application with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications, and copies of qualifications (in a single PDF file). Please include the names of two potential referees in your cover letter.
