The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin (MPIWG) Research Group “Experience in the Premodern Sciences of Soul and Body ca. 800-1650” (RG Krause) seeks one Research Scholar, starting 1 January 2022, or as soon as possible thereafter, with a fixed-term, non-renewable employment contract until 31 Oct 2023 (end of the RG). We invite applications from scholars whose work takes up some aspect of the research agenda of RG Krause for the Premodern Syriac, Persian, or Hebrew Worlds. 

Between ca. 800–1650, the Aristotelian sciences of soul and body and Galenic-Avicennian medicine spread from the Islamic World to Europe, on to the Americas, and to East Asia. Most histories suggest that the empirical method, encapsulated in the terms “experiment” and “observation,” began later, in the early modern period. The Research Group “Experience in the Premodern Sciences of Soul and Body” reconsiders the conventional assumption that experience played a minimal role in premodern natural knowledge-making by studying experience in the sciences concerned with plant, animal, and human life. Our objective is to reveal the ideals and practices associated with premodern experience, and the material artifacts, cultural conditions, and circulation processes informing and transforming these ideals and practices.

Outstanding junior and senior scholars with excellent knowledge of classical Syriac, Persian, or Hebrew (knowledge in other semitic and / or classical languages is most desirable), and with suitable experience in the history of science, history of philosophy, history of medicine, or other relevant fields are invited to apply.

Candidates should hold a doctorate in one of the above-mentioned fields, and have at least two years of postdoctoral experience at the time the position begins (PhD awarded in 2019 or earlier). They have to show evidence of scholarly excellence in the form of international publications. The proposed research project must relate to the research agenda of RG Krause.

Research Scholars are expected to participate in the research activities of RG Krause and the Institute, and to present their own work and discuss that of others fluently in English. Applications may be submitted in German, English, or French.

The position is primarily devoted to research, with no teaching, but with some administrative duties for the Research Group.

Candidates of all nationalities are invited to apply.