The MPIWG is a world-leading research institute for the history of science and related fields of study. Department II focuses on the relationship between knowledge systems and collective life. Researchers in the department use historical and ethnographic methods to explore the relationship between these overlapping domains in the past and present. More information about the department and its research themes can be found at: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/research/departments/dept-ii.

Duties:

The successful candidates will conduct research in a field related to the theme “Environmental Knowledge in Times of Crisis”, assist in the organization of working and/or reading groups, and participate in the departmental colloquium and other departmental events.

Your Profile:

The successful candidates will hold a PhD in history of science and technology, science and technology studies, history, anthropology, environmental humanities, or a neighboring field in the humanities and social sciences. We are particularly interested in scholars working on environmental justice, community-engaged research methods, and relationships between science and other ways of knowing, including Indigenous knowledge systems, either in the past or the present. Fluent spoken and written English is expected.

Our Offer:

The position will be for a duration of two years, on a full-time contractual basis. Remuneration is based on the TVöD-Bund pay scales (E13). The successful candidate will have access to a travel fund as well as to the library and other institute resources. The workplace is Berlin, Germany. The working language of the department is English.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace. As an institute of the MPG, we support 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, socio-economic background or religion.

Visit these webpages to learn more about the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) and its policies toward gender equality and hiring practices for persons with disabilities as well as Germany’s anti-discrimination laws as outlined in the General Equal Treatment Act:

Gender equality: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/gender-equality)
Disabilities: https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/page/disability)
General Equal Treatment Act: https://www.antidiskriminierungsstelle.de/SharedDocs/downloads/EN/publikationen/agg_wegweiser_engl_guide_to_the_general_equal_treatment_act.pdf?__blob=publicationFile)

Application

Candidates are requested to submit (as pdf files):

- a cover letter
- curriculum vitae (including a list of publications)
- a research proposal on a topic related to the research themes of the department (1,000 words maximum)
- writing sample of no more than 30 pages
- contact information of three scholars who could submit letters of recommendation if requested

Please submit your application in English by January 16, 2023 (23:59 CET) using the following link: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/23330841.

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