The German Maritime Museum - Leibniz Institute of Maritime History is one of the largest maritime museums in Europe. As part of the Leibniz Association, we conduct non-university research at the highest level. We present the results of our maritime research on an exhibition area of 4,000 square meters.
Program area II "Ships as knowledge repositories", advertises a job opening as
Postdoctoral researcher
(qualification position, qualification goal: habilitation or 2nd book)
Digital Maritime Cultures
grouped in pay group 13 TV-L, full-time (39.2 hours/week), limited to 3 years with the possibility of extension for a further 3 years. The program area deals with the research of ships and other technologies of maritime exploration from the early modern period to the 21st century from a technical, cultural and media studies perspective. Thereby, the examination of terms and concepts of 'material culture' under the conditions of comprehensive digitality plays a central role. This brings together the historical-epistemological study of maritime culture and media with contemporary perspectives and novel (digitized) approaches towards maritime cultural heritage and the DSM collection. To this end, the program area includes a digitality department which supervises, develops and reflects on the integrated implementation of computer-aided applications for a future-oriented positioning of the DSM collection in terms of its preservation, presentation, mediation and research. This is realized in close alignment with the DSM's research, collection and exhibition program.
Your tasks
The thematic focus of this call is on research projects on material maritime cultures, technologies and/or infrastructures. We are looking for a researcher who is conceptually situated in the context of a field of research that has been popularized in recent years under terms such as Ocean Humanities, Blue Humanities or Environmental Humanities.
At best oriented towards a concrete 'object of knowledge' (e.g. technology, medium, infrastructure), phenomenon/cultural technique (e.g. wind, waves, hydroacoustics, fishing...) or concept (e.g. "hydromedia", fluidity, turbulence...), the research project moves in the field of tension between its (a) (media-) historical genealogies and (b) the heuristic potential of its computer-based exploration. In doing so, it takes up thematic focal points of the DSM collection and makes them the subject of research.
On the one hand, "methodologically" driven projects, e.g. from the field of digital humanities or digital history, are eligible for the job advertisement - here, however, a reference to primarily qualitative aspects and to collection-oriented and museological issues should be made clear. On the other hand, the position is open to more "content-driven" projects, e.g. with a background in media, cultural or historical studies - however, a reference to digitality or digital cultures should be recognizable.
Profile:
We are looking for a researcher with a historical-epistemological orientation and/or the willingness and ability to think transdisciplinarily, and an outstanding research project idea. He/she is highly capable of working in a team and cooperating with others, and is characterized by a high level of commitment and a reliable way of working and communicating. In addition to his/her own research project, the researcher will be willing to prepare and communicate digital collection and exhibition-related findings for presentation to the general public in a methodologically innovative way. He/she will be involved in the establishment and supervision of regional, supra-regional and international collaborative collection projects. There is the possibility of academic teaching at the University of Oldenburg and/or the University of Bremen.
What we expect from you
- Academic degree in the field of humanities and social sciences or digital humanities
- Doctorate e.g. in the field of media studies, cultural studies, visual studies, art history, history, science and technology studies, media/technology sociology, media/technology philosophy, digital humanities, media informatics (with a cultural studies focus) or related fields
- (International) publishing activity
- (International) academic networking
- Excellent written and spoken German and English skills
- Experience in working on (collaborative) research projects and in collaborating on and submitting externally funded projects is an advantage
- Experience in dealing with digital recording and analysis techniques and their theoretical reflection is an advantage
- Experience in museum contexts is an advantage, but not a prerequisite for employment
Our offer for you
- Flat hierarchies and short decision-making processes
- Flexible working hours and remote working options
- 30 days annual leave
- Company pension scheme
- Employee benefits
Interested?
Then we look forward to receiving your application!
Please send your digital application, quoting reference number 20249, to personal@dsm.museum by 15.10.2024 at the latest. Please provide us with all documents in a single PDF file.
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Vehlken (s.vehlken@dsm.museum) will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
The position is generally suitable for part-time and home office.
The German Maritime Museum strives for gender equality and equal opportunities in all areas. We therefore welcome all qualified applications - regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion or ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. Applications from people with a migration background are expressly welcomed. Severely disabled applicants with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given priority.