Max Planck Institute for the History of Science

Post-doctoral Fellows

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin (Max Planck
Research Group on Modern Geometry and the Concept of Space; Director:
Vincenzo De Risi) seeks up to three outstanding

*Post-doctoral Fellows for positions from one to six months*

in the academic year 2011-2012 (with the possibility to begin as soon as
Summer 2011).

The Research Group is also accepting proposals for non-funded visiting
positions. See the details here
<http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/PDF/Visi … wships.pdf>.

Research projects should concern the history of geometry, the history of
mathematical epistemology or the history of the concept of space in the
Modern Age. Possible topics include:

- The history of elementary geometry and Euclid's Elements.
- The theory of perspective and the beginnings of projective geometry.
- The philosophy of mathematics and the conception of space from Leibniz
to Kant.
- Optics, the theory of vision and the theory of pictorial
representation in the Modern Age.
- The concept of space in 18th century mechanics.

A fuller description of the topics and aims of the Research Group can be
found here <http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/resea … /MRGdeRisi>.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is an international
and interdisciplinary research institute. The colloquium language is
English; it is expected that candidates will be able to present their
own work and discuss that of others fluently in that language.
Applications may however be submitted in German, English, French, or
Italian.

Candidates should hold a doctorate at the time the position begins since
no more than five years, and show evidence of scholarly promise in the
form of publications or other achievements. The position is primarily
devoted to research, with no teaching and minimal administrative duties.
Fellows are expected to take part to the cultural and scientific life of
the Institute, to advance their own research project, and to actively
contribute to the Group researches.

The monthly stipend for is between 1900 and 2300 EUR (fellows from
abroad). Please address specific questions to Ms. Claudia Paaß
<mailto:paass@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de>, Head of Administration.

Candidates are requested to submit a curriculum vitae (including list of
publications), a research proposal on a topic related to the project
(with a time schedule), a sample writing representative of the
candidate's work (such as a chapter of the doctoral dissertation or a
scientific article), and names and addresses (preferably including
email) of two referees who have already been contacted by the applicant
to assure their willingness to submit letters of presentation if
requested, to

Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte
Abt. Personal/PD De Risi
Boltzmannstraße 22
14195 Berlin
Germany

*by February 14, 2011*

Electronic submission is also possible to Ms. Claudia Paaß
<mailto:paass@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de>.

For questions concerning the research project, please contact Dr.
Vincenzo De Risi <mailto:vderisi@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de>; for
administrative questions concerning the position and the Institute,
please contact Mr. Jochen Schneider <mailto:jsr@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de>,
Research Coordinator. Scholars of all nationalities are welcome to
apply; applications from women are especially welcomed. The Max Planck
Society is committed to promoting more handicapped individuals and
encourages them to apply.

For further details see the following websites:

http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/news/jobs.html

http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/resea … /MRGdeRisi