Head of Digital Humanities (m/f/d) (2024)

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 Institute seeks to appoint a Head of Digital Humanities (m, f, d) fulltime, permanent position, as soon as possible, EG 14 TVöD Bund, to lead and manage the Digital Humanities team of three members as well as foster innovation and collaboration within the various units of the Institute and with external cooperation partners. Digital humanities methods are central to the MPIWG’s research methods, and the Institute has been key in developing digital humanities for the history of science and the humanities more broadly. In this context, The MPIWG's Digital Humanities integrate digital methods with historical research and create innovative research tools for scholars, and collaborate with the Library and Communications teams to manage digital data sustainably.

Your responsibilities

• Support directors and research group leaders in the conceptualization, development, and maintenance of the Institute’s digital research infrastructure
• Initiate and contribute to original digital humanities research in line with the Institute’s research agenda
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of digital humanities projects in cooperation with researchers in the Institute’s multiple departments and research groups
• Lead a multidisciplinary digital humanities team
• Set the direction for the Digital Humanities and coordinate the technical development of research projects across the Institute that have a core digital humanities component
• Initiate research collaborations with external partner institutions

Your profile

• Master’s degree in IT fields relevant to digital humanities; a doctoral degree would be desirable
• 3-to-5 years experience of managing teams or working groups

• Proven track record of projects and publications in the digital humanities field
• Extensive experience with agile software development methodologies
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing digital historical research projects
• Experience with the application of machine learning and/or data science techniques to humanities

• Strong programming skills and willingness to contribute to technical development (e.g., Python, JS, SQL/SPARQL)
• Exhibit a comprehensive overview of digital tools and technologies relevant to digital humanities, in particular in history of science, technology, and knowledge
• Ability to stay up to date with latest technologies and methodologies in digital humanities and other relevant fields such as data science and software engineering

• Capability to develop and implement digital infrastructure and resources for the Institute
• Familiarity with German and international funding institutions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in an interdisciplinary setting
• Proficiency in English; good German language skills (or willingness to learn German)

What we offer

• 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
• Flexible working hours; the opportunity to work from home as arranged with your supervisor
• 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

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, sexualorientation, 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 or German with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include the following:

• a cover letter,
• your curriculum vitae,
• copies of your qualifications (in a single PDF file),
• two employment references (in a single PDF file); if not available, name and contact of two referees and
• up to three samples of your professional outputs (e.g., print media, articles, A/V, or digital content) in a single PDF file - this may include copies of print media and texts as well as links to online content.

Application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/27557892. Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.

Applications must be received by September 30, 2024 (23:59 CEST) — or until the position is filled.

Job interviews will start in mid-October 2024.

For any questions about the position, please contact Tanja Neuendorf.