For the Max Planck Research Group “Visualizing Science in Media Revolutions”, led by Dr. Sietske Fransen, the Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History in Rome (Italy) seeks to appoint:

Two Predoctoral Fellowships (1-year appointment each)

The Max Planck Research Group, based at the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome, has been formed to examine how scientific practitioners visualize their ideas, illustrate their working methods and communicate their observations, with a specific focus on the early modern period. We are especially interested in the impact that new media have on processes of visualization and whether or not changes in these processes reflect new
ways of thinking. A new visual culture emerged in the early modern period by those in pursuit of knowledge due to a variety of reasons. These included: new media (as a result of the printing press); new instruments for observing the world (such as telescopes and microscopes); and new ways of thinking about nature and the world. By comparing media, tools, and modes of communication in different fields of early modern science, such as medicine, architecture, astronomy, and mathematics, the members of this research group will investigate the impact of new media on the visual communication of science. As a group of historians with expertise in the study of media, visualization, and (the history of) science, the Research Group also investigates the impact of current new digital media and tools on (our own) working practices in the humanities and sciences. The group uses a wide variety of research methods and, in doing so, draws upon visual culture, art history, media studies, history of the book, cultural anthropology, and history of science and medicine.

Applications from candidates in every field within the history of science, medicine and technology, history of art, digital humanities, media studies, and medieval/early modern history are welcome, with preference given to projects spanning traditional disciplinary boundaries. The working language of the Research Group is English. The positions may start in June or September 2020.
We are looking for one candidate who is working on the medieval/early modern period, and one candidate working on how digital technologies have impacted recent and contemporary scientific research. These 12-months positions will give the doctoral candidates the possibility to undertake intensive library and archival research in Rome, while being part of an interdisciplinary research group at a world-renowned insti-
tute for the history of Italian Renaissance art.

Your profile:
- A clear idea of how a year in Rome as part of this Research Group at the Bibliotheca Hertziana would benefit the PhD research
- Excellent verbal and written knowledge of English
- Prior knowledge of Italian and/or German is an advantage
- Ability to reside in Rome during appointment
- A willingness to play an active role in the research group’s events, which include seminars, reading sessions, and conferences

Your application should include:
- Cover letter in which the candidate explains how 12 months at the Bibliotheca Hertziana in Rome is essential for his/her PhD project, and how s/he expects to benefit from and contribute to the Research Group. Indicate preferred starting date (June or September 2020).
- Curriculum vitae
- Description of research project (max. 1000 words)
- Research timeline
- Contact details of two potential referees (no letters)

Appointment:
The appointment is for one year (12 months), and comes with a travel allowance of €1000. Depending on specific individual conditions, the Max Planck Society offers to doctoral candidates a funding contract, which combines the academic freedom of a scholarship with the security of a contract of employment. Working hours is fulltime. Salary is based on remuneration group 13/2 of the TVöD-Bund, if the objective and subjective classification requirements are fulfilled. Furthermore, we offer opportunities regarding work life balance as well as health promotion services.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Candidates should submit their application in English on the following website between 2 March 2020 and 3 April 2020:
https://recruitment.biblhertz.it/position/2195456