One Postdoctoral Scholar on “Tackling the Digital Gap between Asia and Europe”

One Postdoctoral Scholar on “Tackling the Digital Gap between Asia and Europe”

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) is a globally respected research institute of the Max Planck Society. Located in southwestern Berlin, it hosts around 150 scholars who investigate the history of science in a collaborative, transdisciplinary environment.

Position Overview

Department “Artifacts, Action, Knowledge”, led by Dagmar Schäfer, invites a postdoctoral scholar for a two‑year appointment starting September 1, 2026 under the TVöD‑Bund pay scale (E13), with a full employment contract.

In addition, the MPIWG will engage in a multi‑year collaboration on the research theme EduTrack: Tracking Education Pathways and Social Policies , working with the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research and the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct qualitative research on stakeholders shaping academic knowledge production ecosystems in Europe and Asia, focusing on access to research materials in historical studies.
• Collect and analyze data on the extent, level of digitization, and accessibility of research materials (both analogue and digital) in historical studies across Europe and Asia.
• Produce research outputs, including writing, presenting, and publishing findings.
• Coordinate and manage the MPIWG EduTrack scientific program, developing timelines, workflows, and monitoring progress in alignment with administrative guidelines.
• Coordinate collaborative scientific activities with EduTrack partners, ensuring effective communication and methodological coherence.
• Support leadership decisions through planning, preparation, and coordination of activities.
• Engage actively in the general research pursuits of the MPIWG, contributing to departmental and institutional research activities and dialogues.

Profile

• Completed PhD in history, the history of science, STS, or a related field by the start date.
• Proven focus on digital humanities, databases, and data processing, with preference for East Asian sources.
• Experience designing and conducting qualitative research, especially with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Expertise in collecting, processing, and analysing data on research resources (analog and digital), ideally in historical research.
• Demonstrated ability to publish scholarly work and present findings in international contexts.
• Experience in project management, coordinating complex work processes, scheduling, and monitoring.
• Strong coordination and communication skills for international and cross‑institutional collaborations.
• Proficiency in languages relevant to the project regions.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to provide organisational and conceptual support for management processes, including steering decision‑making.
• Willingness to actively participate in the institute’s research activities and interdisciplinary academic exchange.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work from home as arranged with your superior; part‑time options available.
• 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 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 and direct personal dialogue.
• International setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Max Planck Society is an equal‑opportunity employer that values an inclusive workplace. The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science supports a working community free from discrimination and harassment. We 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.