Pre-doctoral position: MPI Berlin, The Construction of Norms in 17th- to 19th-Century Europe and the USA



Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin

Pre-doctoral position for one or two years (with possible extension)


Starting date: between April 1, 2013 and September 1, 2013   (application deadline November 30, 2012)

Outstanding junior scholars are invited to apply. The position is awarded in conjunction with the
research project The Construction of Norms in 17th- to 19th-Century Europe and the United States.

Research projects should fit with one of the project’s focal points, deafness or hysteria, or any medical
category, and address any period between the early seventeenth century and the late nineteenth century
and any European country or the United States. Comparative studies are welcome. Although projects
must have a history of science component, this may be in either the natural or the human sciences, with
relevant disciplinary perspectives including history of psychology, legal history, history of medicine,
technology studies, disability studies, linguistics, comparative literature, history of philosophy, and
others. Projects involving large-scale translation of Latin sources on Sign Language or on conceptions
of sound and hearing will also be considered. Candidates must already be registered for PhD studies at
their home university.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is an international and interdisciplinary research
institute (http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/index.html). The Max Planck Society is committed to
promoting more individuals with disabilities and encourages them to apply. The Institute language is
English; it is expected that candidates will be able to present their own work and discuss that of others
fluently in that language.

The successful applicant may be employed as a predoctoral fellow rated 50% TVöD E13 in the
German system, or alternatively receive a fellowship (monthly stipend: € 1,365). Candidates of all
nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Please send a covering letter, curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, dissertation project outline
(maximum 3,000 words), and two reference letters (these letters may be sent separately), no later than
November 30, 2012 to:
Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Administration, Predoc MRG Arnaud
Boltzmannstraße 22
14195 Berlin
Germany

(Electronic submission is also possible: verwaltungsleitung@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de)

For administrative questions concerning the fellowships and the Institute,
please contact Claudia Paaß (paass@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de), Head of Administration,
or Jochen Schneider (jsr@mpiwgberlin.mpg.de), Research Coordinator.