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 past and present sciences, working together on a collective, collaborative, and transdisciplinary basis. Etienne Benson, seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Scholar (m/f/div) for three years, with employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E 13) starting on September 1, 2025. We are especially interested in proposals for research projects that offer a historical perspective on contemporary relationships between science and politics in liberal democracies, including histories of academic freedom and political speech at universities and research institutions. The working language of the department is English. PhD in the history of science, technology, or medicine or a neighboring field in the humanities and social sciences, including science and technology studies (STS), history, and anthropology (PhD must be in hand by the starting date of the contract) research proposal related to the theme “From Trust in Science to Knowledge in Relation” interest in developing cross-cultural, community-engaged, and critically reflective research methods as part of an interdisciplinary research group What we offer: a three-year employment contract (TVöD pay scales up to level E 13) annual research and travel budget of 5,000 euros access to the MPIWG library and other institute resources access to the wide range of training courses offered by the MPG’s Planck Academy flexible working hours; the opportunity to work partly from home (within Germany), as arranged with your superior; the opportunity to work part-time annual year-end bonus; subsidy for public transportation within Berlin or Germany (“Jobticket”); regular information on occupational health management courses offered by our partner health insurance companies close contact with all research and research support units with 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. 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 submit your application in English with complete documents, preferably without a photograph, through our application portal, including a cover letter, a curriculum vitae (including a list of publications), a research proposal (1,000 words maximum including notes), a writing sample of no more than 30 pages, and contact information for two scholars who could submit letters of recommendation if requested.