Student Assistant with a focus on historical Arabic and Persian manuscripts (m/f/d)

Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte

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.

Department "Artifacts, Action, Knowledge" led by Prof. Dr. Dagmar Schäfer, seeks to appoint a

– up to 19 hours per week, starting November 1, 2025 –

Department "Artifacts, Action, Knowledge" studies the history of knowledge and action considering the changing role of artifacts: texts, objects, and spaces. Our research collectively examines the processes and structures by which people grappled with the materiality of existence. Through the analysis of everyday actions, we interrogate the boundaries and intersections between the inner workings of objects and all domains of life. For more detailed information, please visit the department website.

Your responsibilities:

• Assist the Working Group "Heavens in your Hand" (please read further on the working group page) in collating, organizing, analysing, cataloguing, transcribing, and describing premodern Persian and Arabic manuscripts connected with the history of astral science.
• Assist in the maintenance and development of the visualisation of the Heavens database (see here). This will include uploading images, inputting metadata, and editing.
• Review and correct historical dates, dynastic names, and place names within the database.
• Work on the project blog, website, and other tasks as required.

Your profile:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program (in at least your second semester) or a master’s program (first or second semester) at a university in Berlin or Brandenburg.
• Possess an academic background in art history, history, or manuscript studies, with expertise in Islamic art.
• Basic knowledge of Persian and/or Arabic script and transcription (into Latin script), along with familiarity with standardized forms of Arabic and Persian – especially premodern – is desirable.
• Experience with handling images and data sets is desirable.
• Familiarity with online museum collections is desirable.
• Good language skills (written and spoken) in English.
• The ability to work both independently and in a team with good communication skills.
• An interest in working in an international research environment.

We offer:

• Remuneration at the student employee rates of the MPG support for junior scientists and scholars: currently € 15.18 per hour for bachelor’s students and € 15.84 for master’s students who can demonstrate completion of their bachelor’s degree
• Working hours to align with your studies
• Work in 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
• Promotion of your professional interests and research interests
• Use of the on-site reference library
• Access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy
• Occupational health management: weekly in-house yoga classes; regular information on courses offered by our partner health insurance companies
• A student representative for equal opportunities

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 with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal. Include cover letter, curriculum vitae (including links to your portfolio), copies of qualifications (in a single PDF file) and employment references (in a single PDF file).

Applications must be received by September 30, 2025 (23:59 CET) // We will continue to accept applications until we have found the right candidate.

Please note that we can only accept electronic applications submitted through the portal.

For any questions about the position or the application process, please contact the department’s research officer, Dr. Rand El Zein schaeferoffice@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de.

Further information on the MPIWG can be found at https://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/.


Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Boltzmannstraße 22
14195 Berlin
Germany

www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/

Apply now