The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is an internationally respected research institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) with currently two research departments, several research groups, and a graduate school. At the MPIWG, around 150 scholars from all over the world investigate the sciences past and present, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. The MPIWG is renowned worldwide as a hub for reflection on the role of the sciences in politics and society. It is located in southwestern Berlin, close to the campus of the Free University Berlin and other research institutions.

The MPIWG’s Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life, led by Dr. Etienne Benson, seeks to appoint

up to 3 Student Assistants (m/f/d)
starting as soon as possible for up to 19 hours per week.

Researchers in the Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life use historical and ethnographic methods to study the relationship between knowledge systems and forms of collective life in the past and present. We seek to foreground neglected histories, trace cross-cultural connections, engage with diverse publics, expand the boundaries of the political, challenge conventional definitions of science and technology, critically reflect on our own political and ethical commitments, and experiment with new methods and media. Further information about the department can be found here. The working language of the department is English.

Your responsibilities:

• Research and compilation of literature for researchers in the department
• Assistance with transcription, translation, and database management of research materials
• Organizational support for scholarly events
• Assistance in maintaining the department’s website

Your profile:

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program (in at least your second semester) or a Master’s program (first or second semester) at a university in Germany
• Excellent language skills in English
• An interest in one or more of the following fields: modern South Asian history, oral history, history of the environment, history of health and medicine
• Good IT skills
• The ability to work both independently and in a team, good communication skills, a talent for organization
• An interest in research
• An interest in and enjoyment of work in an international research institution

We offer:

• remuneration at the student employee rates of the MPG support for junior scientists and scholars: currently €15.18 per hour for Bachelor’s students and €15.84 for Master’s students who can demonstrate completion of their Bachelor’s degree
• working hours to align with your studies
• work in an international setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries
• close contact with all research and research-support units and the opportunity for direct, personal dialogue
• promotion of your professional interests and research interests
• use of the on-site reference library
• access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy
• occupational health management: weekly in-house yoga classes; regular information on courses offered by our partner health insurance companies
• a student representative for equal opportunities.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace. As an institute of the MPG, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science supports 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, socioeconomic background, or religion.

Please follow the links to find out more about the MPIWG’s policies on gender equality and hiring practices for people with disabilities, as well as Germany’s anti-discrimination laws as outlined in the General Equal Treatment Act.

Your application:

Please submit your application in English with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of qualifications (in a single PDF file) and employment references (in a single PDF file).

Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal. Applications must be received by April 6, 2025 (23:59 CEST).

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is an internationally renowned research institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) with currently two research departments, several research groups, and a graduate school. At the MPIWG, more than 150 scholars from all over the world investigate the sciences past and present, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. The MPIWG is located in southwestern Berlin, close to the campus of the Free University Berlin and other research institutions.

The MPIWG’s Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life, led by Dr. Etienne Benson, seeks to appoint a

Postdoctoral Scholar (m/f/d)
for three years, with employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E13)

starting on September 1, 2025.

Researchers in the Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life use archival and ethnographic methods to study the relationship between knowledge systems and forms of collective life in the past and present. We seek to foreground neglected histories, trace cross-cultural connections, engage with diverse publics, expand the boundaries of the political, challenge conventional definitions of science and technology, critically reflect on our own political and ethical commitments, and experiment with new methods and media.

In collaboration with the MPIWG’s Digital Humanities team, the department is developing a suite of tools to facilitate the use of oral history in the history of science, technology, medicine, and environment. These tools include CORAL: Commoning Oral Histories of Knowledge, which enables researchers to search and analyze the full text of oral history interviews across institutions and collections. For this position, we are seeking a postdoctoral scholar who can assist in the development of CORAL and other in-house digital humanities projects while pursuing their own independent research project. We are particularly interested in scholars who have experience with both oral history and the digital humanities, and who have a proposed research project that deploys oral history as a method for studying a topic related to the department’s core research themes.

Further information about the department, including research themes and current working groups, can be found here. The working language of the department is English. The workplace is Berlin, Germany.

Your profile:

• PhD in the history of science, technology, medicine, and environment or a neighboring field in the humanities and social sciences, including anthropology, history, sociology, and STS (PhD must be in hand by the starting date of the contract)
• Experience with oral history and with the application of digital humanities methods in your own research
• A proposed research project that deploys oral history as a method for studying a topic related to the department’s research themes (see https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/research/department/knowledge-systems-collective-life)
• Interest in developing innovative, cross-cultural, critically reflective methods as part of an interdisciplinary research group

Your responsibilities:

• Conduct independent research on a topic related to the department’s research themes
• Develop and maintain a collection of oral history interviews related to your own research, using tools developed at the Institute
• Assist in the development of CORAL and other in-house digital humanities tools
• Submit the results of your research to internationally recognized journals and book publishers
• Participate actively in the department’s biweekly colloquium and other departmental events

What we offer:

• A three-year employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E13)
• Annual research and travel budget of €5000
• Access to the department’s laboratory for oral history and audiovisual media
• Access to the MPIWG library and other institute resources
• Access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy, as well as to internal training opportunities such as the MPIWG’s Skills Lab
• Flexible working hours; the opportunity to work partly from home (within Germany), as arranged with your superior; the opportunity to work part-time
• Annual year-end bonus; occupational pension (VBL); subsidy for public transportation within Berlin or Germany (“Jobticket”); paid leave on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) in addition to regular annual leave (30 days)
• Weekly in-house yoga classes; regular information on occupational health management courses offered by our partner health insurance companies
• Opportunities for direct dialogue with all research and research-support units
• An international setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace. As an institute of the MPG, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science supports 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, socioeconomic background, or religion.

Please follow the links to find out more about the MPIWG’s policies on gender equality and hiring practices for people with disabilities, as well as Germany’s anti-discrimination laws as outlined in the General Equal Treatment Act.

Your application:

Please submit your application in English with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include cover letter, curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), a research proposal (1,000 words maximum including any notes or references), writing sample of no more than 30 pages (preferably in English; writing samples in other languages will be accepted if accompanied by a 2-page summary in English), and contact information for two scholars who agreed to submit letters of recommendation.

Applications must be received by April 30, 2025 (23:59 CEST). Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is an internationally respected research institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) with currently two research departments, several research groups, and a graduate school. At the MPIWG, around 150 scholars from all over the world investigate the sciences past and present, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. The MPIWG is renowned worldwide as a hub for reflection on the role of the sciences in politics and society. It is located in southwestern Berlin, close to the campus of the Free University Berlin and other research institutions.

The Max Planck Research Group “Astral Sciences in Trans-Regional Asia” (ASTRA),  led by Prof. Dr. Anuj Misra, seeks to appoint a

Postdoctoral Scholar (m/f/d)

for two years, with employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E13)

starting as soon as possible.

The Research Group ASTRA studies the transmission, translocation, and transcreation of astral knowledge across space and time in Asian discourses. The researchers in this group use philological, mathematical and sociohistorical methods to study various aspects of the astral sciences across the cultural spheres of Asia and beyond. Further details about the group, and the three thematic domains under which it functions, can be found here.

This postdoctoral position supports an early-career scholar whose research aligns with ASTRA's focus on the history of astral sciences. We particularly welcome applications from scholars specializing in South or Central Asia, but encourage submissions from researchers working on other geographical regions as well.

Your Responsibilities:

• Conduct Independent Research: Design, develop, and lead an independent research project that aligns with the research objectives of the Research Group ASTRA at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science.
• Organize Scientific Events: Plan and host scientific events such as group colloquia, project conferences, and guest lectures, in collaboration with the research group.
• Disseminate Research Findings:
  • Publish research results in leading academic journals.
  • Communicate research findings to a broader audience through collaborations with ASTRA's research communicator.
• Engage with the Research Group: Actively participate in project meetings and other events at the MPIWG.
• Promote Research Group Activities: Collaborate with the group's research communicator to enhance the visibility of ASTRA's research within regional and international scientific networks.
• Develop a Career Plan: Work closely with the group leader to create a career development plan that aligns with your research interests and professional goals.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Ph.D. in Indology, Classical and Medieval Studies (with a focus on Eurasia), History and Philosophy of Science, or a closely related field.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Near-native proficiency in English (written and spoken).
  • Fluency in at least one classical Eurasian language (e.g., Sanskrit, Farsi, Arabic, Tamil, classical Tibetan, classical Mongolian, Chinese).
  • Good knowledge of a project-related vernacular (or modern) language (e.g., Hindi, Tibetan, Russian).
• Research Expertise:
  • Proven expertise in the study of manuscript cultures related to Eurasia.
  • Proven experience in philological research with primary sources (manuscripts) in at least one of the specified languages.
• Skills:
  • Strong organizational and leadership skills, including experience in planning and conducting archive visits to acquire manuscripts.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in organizing and conducting academic events (e.g., workshops, conferences).
• Familiarity with digital humanities methods and tools.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research collaborations.

What We Offer:

• flexible working hours; the opportunity to work from home as arranged with your superior; the opportunity to work part-time
• annual year-end bonus; occupational pension (VBL); subsidy for public transportation within Berlin or Germany (“Jobticket”); paid leave on Christmas Eve (December 24) and New Year’s Eve (December 31) in addition to regular annual leave
• weekly in-house yoga classes; regular information on occupational health management courses offered by our partner health insurance companies
• access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy
• close contact with all research and research-support units with the opportunity for direct, personal dialogue
• an international setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster an inclusive workplace. As an institute of the MPG, the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science supports 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, socioeconomic background, or religion.

Please follow the links to find out more about the MPIWG’s policies on gender equality and hiring practices for people with disabilities, as well as Germany’s anti-discrimination laws as outlined in the General Equal Treatment Act.

Your Application:

Please submit your application with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include (i) a cover letter stating your research interests and motivation for applying to this position, and including the names and contact information of two potential referees; (ii) a detailed research proposal outlining research objectives and methodology, project milestones and deliverables, and potential risks and mitigation strategies; (iii) a curriculum vitae; (iv) a list of publications; and (v) copies of diplomas and transcripts. All application materials must be submitted as a single PDF file (diplomas and transcripts combined in one PDF file) to

Applications must be received by April 13, 2025 (23:59 CEST).

For any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Anuj Misra, amisra@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de. For questions about the application process, contact Aiu Ylä-Outinen, astra@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is a research institute of the Max Planck Society (MPG) with currently two research departments, several independent research groups, and a graduate school. At the MPIWG, around 150 scholars from all over the world investigate the sciences past and present, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. The MPIWG is renowned worldwide as a hub for reflection on the role of the sciences in politics and society. It is located in southwestern Berlin, close to the campus of the Free University Berlin and other research institutions.

Researchers in the Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life, led by Dr. Etienne Benson, use historical and ethnographic methods to study the relationship between knowledge systems and forms of collective life in the past and present. We seek to foreground neglected histories, trace cross-cultural connections, engage with diverse publics, expand the boundaries of the political, challenge conventional definitions of science and technology, critically reflect on our own political and ethical commitments, and experiment with new methods and media.

Building on the MPIWG initiative “An African History of Knowledge and Science beyond Academic Conventions” (2022-2024), the department is offering

up to 2 short-term fellowships (1-6 months) for scholars working on histories of knowledge and collective life in Africa

starting September 1, 2025, or later.                             

These fellowships aim to support scholars at all career stages whose research projects are closely related to the department’s core research themes and current working groups (see https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/research/departments/dept-ii). We are particularly interested in hosting fellows who are based at African universities and research institutions.

These fellowships (with stipend) are part of the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) Fellowship Program. Please visit the program site to find out more about the types of fellowships (Predoctoral, Postdoctoral, Research, and Senior Research fellowships), the fellowship conditions, and the application procedure. Note that applications for Africa-related fellowships in the Department on Knowledge Systems and Collective Life should be submitted through a special application portal using the link below.

Your application:                                                                                           

Please submit your application with complete documents (as stated on the program’s website), preferably without a photograph, through the special application portal for this call (not through the general department portal):

Applications must be received by May 1, 2025 (23:59 CEST). Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.