Postdoc Position at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
The Max Planck Institute for the History of
Science, Berlin, Research Group "Knowledge in and of the Anthropocene" (Dpt.
1), is offering a position for a
Postdoctoral Fellow
for two years, starting from October 1, 2019. The position is established
in the framework of a cooperation between the MPIWG, the Anthropocene Working
Group (AWG) set up by the International Commission on Stratigraphy, and Haus
der Kulturen der Welt (HKW).
The research undertaken by the candidate is supposed to critically assess
and engage with the shifting material and epistemic cultures of the geological sciences
in light of the Anthropocene concept, both in an historical and in contemporary
perspective. It may comprise of one or several of the following areas of study:
· comparative history of
materials and geochemical/biotic signals relevant to defining a stratigraphic marker
for the Anthropocene (such as plastics, fly ash, radiogenic isotopes, carbon
isotopes, heavy metals, chemical and organic compounds, etc.)
· history of geochemistry and
biogeochemistry
· recent history of
stratigraphy, incl. chemo- and biostratigraphic methods
· material cultures of the
geological sciences
· epistemic transformations
of the geological sciences in the wake of the Anthropocene hypothesis
Candidates should hold a doctorate in the history of science, science
studies or related fields at the time the position begins, and be able to show
evidence of scholarly excellence in the form of initial international
publications. The candidate is expected to work in an inter- and
transdisciplinary setting and be in regular exchange with the AWG and HKW on
matters concerning the research.
The position is primarily devoted to research, with no teaching and with
minor administrative duties for the Research Group. Remuneration is based on
the TVöD-Bund pay scales (E13, or up to E14 depending on qualifications).
The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is an international
and interdisciplinary research institute. The working 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 Max Planck Society wishes to increase the proportion of women in
those areas in which they are currently underrepresented. We therefore
specifically encourage women to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to
employing more disabled individuals, and applications from disabled people are
especially welcome.
Applications should include a curriculum vitae (including list of
publications), a description of the specific research interest in the topics
related to the project (750 words maximum), and the contact details of two
referees who are willing to provide a reference if the candidate will be shortlisted.
Candidates are requested to submit, via our online application
portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-
Only electronic submissions via this portal will be accepted.
Deadline for submissions: June 15, 2019 (23:59 h PST).