Two Year Position
The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin
(Department II; Director: Prof. Lorraine Daston) seeks an outstanding
junior scholar for a two-year position
(to begin no later than 1 September 2011) as Research Fellow in conjunction with the research project Comparative History and Theory of Textual Practices, organized by Professor Anthony Grafton (Princeton University) and Professor Glenn Most (Scuola Normale Pisa/University of Chicago)(details concerning the project may be found at
http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/research/projects/DeptII_GraftonMost_Canonial/index_html). Candidates should hold a doctorate in the history of the human sciences, history of science or related field at the time the position begins and show evidence of scholarly promise in the form of publications or other achievements. A previous postdoctoral position is desirable but not essential.
Research projects may concern any culture or historical period (including the present). Although projects must have a history of science component, both the human and natural sciences are included under that rubric and additional relevant disciplinary perspectives are welcome. Possible topics include:
The methodologies applied to various textual practices (collecting, editing, commenting, translating, transmitting) in one or more periods or cultures
The material culture of selecting, collecting, preserving, classifying, and transmitting literary texts (e.g. libraries, schools, monasteries, universities, and data bases)
The history of key ideas associated with textual practices (e.g. “text”, “author”, “tradition”, “cultural heritage”)
The ways in which textual practices shape and are shaped by the study of the natural world
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 colloquium 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. Applications may however be submitted in German, English, French, Spanish, or Italian.
The position is primarily devoted to research, with no teaching and minimal administrative duties (most of which will relate to the organization of departmental research projects). It is ranked at the BAT IIA level in the German system, which roughly corresponds to that of Lecturer in Britain, Assistant Professor in North America, and Maître de conférences in France. Salary is set by both the position’s rank and individual factors; please address specific questions to Ms. Claudia Paass (paass@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de).
Candidates are requested to submit a curriculum vitae (including list of publications), a research proposal on a topic related to the project (750 words maximum), and names and addresses (preferably including email) of three referees (who have already been contacted by the applicant to assure their willingness to submit letters by January 7, 2011 should the applicant be among the finalists for the position) to
Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte
Abt. Personal/WiMi ArchivesBoltzmannstraße 22
14195 Berlin
Germany
Electronic submission is also possible: rheld@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de)
by December 3, 2010.
Finalists for the position will be informed by December 22, 2010 and asked to come for an interview on January 25, 2011 (travel expenses covered by the Institute).
For questions concerning the research project and Department II, please contact Prof. Lorraine Daston (ldaston@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de); for administrative questions concerning the position and the Institute, please contact Mr. Jochen Schneider (jsr@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de). Scholars of all nationalities are welcome to apply; applications from women are especially welcomed. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and encourages them to apply.