STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

The cooperation in the history of knowledge in Berlin between the Freie Universität Berlin, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, the Technische Universität and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science announces (starting July 1, 2013):

Eight three-year postdoctoral fellowships.

We are looking for postdoctoral fellows who will: actively work towards the establishment of the Berlin Center for the History of Knowledge; cooperate with the partner institutions in the areas of research and teaching to entrench the history of science in Berlin; and contribute their reflections on the relationships between the histories of knowledge and science.

The successful candidates will be expected to strengthen the internal links between the participating institutions by organizing working groups, colloquium or workshops, in addition to pursuing their personal research projects. A workplace will be provided at one of the participating institutions.

The announcement is intended for promising junior scholars with a record of excellent research in the history of knowledge. Candidates must hold a doctorate at the start of the fellowship. Proposed research topics should demonstrate an interest in theoretical questions and straddle the histories of knowledge and science. Examples might include the relationship of practical to scholarly knowledge, narrative knowledge, the visualization of knowledge, the history of interdisciplinary work or the penetration of science into daily life (and the reverse).

The monthly stipend is determined according to internal guidelines of the participating institutions and will approximate the fellowship rates of the Max Planck Society (for scholars from abroad: € 2,100 - € 2,500 for Fellows from Germany € 1,468 - € 1,621). Candidates of all nationalities are encouraged to apply; applications from women are especially welcome. The Max Planck Society is committed to promoting handicapped individuals and encourages them to apply.

The selection procedure is jointly organized by the participating institutions. 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), two letters of reference (one of which should be from the candidates’s dissertation advisor), and certification of academic qualifications by April 15, 2013 to:

Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Administration, Reference: “Postdocs Zentrum”
Boltzmannstr. 22
14195 Berlin
Applications can also be made by email to: tneuendorf@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de. If you have questions about the Berliner Cooperation in the History of Knowledge please contact Dr. Hansjakob Ziemer (hjziemer@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de) or see: www.wissensgeschichte-berlin.de.