The Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin invite nominations, including self-nominations, for a director who will lead one of the Institute’s three research departments.

The MPIWG is looking for a creative and visionary director who will complement, enrich and further develop the research agenda and profile of the Institute in a spirit of collaboration.

The candidate should have a strong record of innovative research in the history of science or a closely related field. We are particularly interested in research that engages with corporeality and embodiment and that bridges divides between ontology and epistemology.

Max Planck directors should have a demonstrated ability to devise a long-term strategy for outstanding research, and the potential to make substantial contributions to their own institute and to develop collaborations within and beyond the Max Planck Society. Management and leadership skills are required to successfully lead the Institute’s academic and non-academic staff, who total over 150 persons.

The Institute was founded in 1994. It currently consists of three departments, each led by a director, as well as several independent research groups and an International Max Planck Research School. One of the current departments is in the process of closing. The incoming director will have the opportunity to build a new department around their own research program.

The incoming director will benefit from a permanent research budget, a world-class library in the history of science, outstanding infrastructure for hosting academic events on a regular basis, and vibrant intellectual exchange with visiting researchers from all over the world.

The MPIWG is part of the Max Planck Society (MPG), an independent German nongovernmental association dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The MPG, an equal opportunity employer, is committed to gender equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment, and is particularly committed to redressing systemic problems with diversity in scholarship. We therefore welcome nominations of individuals from underrepresented groups.

Nominations, including self-nominations, should be sent to: nominations@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de. 

Both nominations and self-nominations should include the candidate’s name and current institutional affiliation as well as a brief statement (150 words max.) specifying why you have nominated the candidate or yourself.

This call is part of a scouting procedure. As a result of this call, a selection of nominated candidates may be invited by the search committee to a symposium or interview and a visit to the Institute in due time.

All nominations will be treated in the strictest confidence. Nominations submitted prior to midnight (CEST) 27 May 2024 will be considered.