Research Communicator (m/f/d)

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. Around 200 employees and guests from all over the world are currently working at the Institute.

The new Max Planck Research Group “Astral Sciences in Trans-Regional Asia” (ASTRA), led by Anuj Misra, seeks to appoint as soon as possible a part time Research Communicator (m/f/d)(50%, TVöD E11, limited until March 31, 2029)

The research group ASTRA (April 2024 - March 2029) studies the transmission, translocation, and transcreation of astral knowledge across space and time in Asian discourses. The researchers in this group use sociohistorical, philological, and mathematical methods to study various aspects of the astral sciences across the cultural spheres of Asia and beyond. As a research communicator, your primary responsibility will be communicating the group’s research activities and results externally, in close association with the MPIWG’s central communication team. The working language of the group is English.

Your responsibilities

• Conceptualizing and implementing outreach strategies for ASTRA
• Writing and editing content (for print, A/V, and digital media) to publicize ASTRA’s research among non-specialist audiences
• Monitoring, editing, and updating the digital content on ASTRA’s website (such as profiles, projects, and event pages) and social media
• Promoting and managing ASTRA’s public events (conferences, colloquia, seminars etc.)
• Integrating ASTRA’s public activities into the MPIWG’s outreach and communication strategy

Your profile

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BSc) in any discipline of the humanities; preference given to the historical disciplines
• Experience in writing and editing content (for print, A/V, and digital media) for non-specialist audiences
• Experience in managing various formats of public communication (e.g., poster design, podcasting, social media, etc.)
• Proven skills and experience in project management
• IT skills in using Microsoft Office Suite applications; familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and Content Management Systems (e.g., Drupal, WordPress, Nuxt.js, etc.) would be an advantage
• Native (or near-native) fluency in verbal and written English; a good knowledge of written German is desirable though not strictly necessary
• Experience of working in an international environment
• Excellent organizational, communicational, and interpersonal skills

What we offer

• 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
• close contact with all research and research-support units and the opportunity for direct, personal dialogue
• an international setting with staff and guests from more than forty countries

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, sexual orientation, 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
• 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. Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.

Applications must be received by August 9, 2024 (23:59 CEST). Job interviews will take place in late August.

For any questions about the position, please contact Dr. Anuj Misra

For questions about the application process, contact the group’s office.