The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, International Max Planck Research School “Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities” (IMPRS-KIR) is seeking to appoint a Foreign-Language Secretary for two years, with the possibility of extension, starting on July 1, 2022, to support the IMPRS Office. The position is part-time, at 50 % of a full-time position.

The International Max Planck Research School “Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities” will begin on September 1, 2022. We are now seeking a foreign-language secretary to enhance the IMPRS-KIR Office team.

The new IMPRS is a graduate school in the history of science, technology, and medicine, run by the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in cooperation with Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin. It also collaborates with other international partner universities. The objective of the IMPRS is to train international doctoral students in analysis of the historical reciprocities between knowledge and resources.

The international graduate school will offer a total of fifteen doctoral positions, with the first cohort of five doctoral students starting work on September 1, 2022. Academic leadership of the IMPRS is provided by thePrincipal Teaching Faculty (PTF), consisting of nine professors from the four Berlin partner institutions. The IMPRS Office supports the PTF, doctoral students, and guests in administrative and organizational matters. The staff of the IMPRS Office comprises a coordinator, a student assistant, and the secretarial position advertised here. You will work on the MPIWG premises in Dahlem, Berlin, alongside the IMPRS doctoral students. The working language of the IMPRS is English.

Your tasks:

• supporting the planning, organization, and follow-up of events and committee sessions (such as Welcome Week, seminars, PTF meetings)
• supporting the IMPRS doctoral students and guests before and during their stay (including help with visa arrangements, travel cost reimbursement, detailed advice on administrative matters, registration, accommodation)
• contributing to communications and publicity work
• carrying out correspondence in German and English and short translations
• planning and coordinating appointments
• administrative support for the process of advertising and filling positions
• preparation and follow-up of the doctoral students’ research trips in Germany and abroad
• supervising the student assistant (including their work on the website and databases)
• supporting new IMPRS cooperation projects

Your profile:

You will have experience in office management, events organization, and communications. As an internationally oriented doctoral program based in a research institution with a strongly international flavor, we expect excellent or native knowledge of spoken and written German and English. Experience of living and working abroad and intercultural competence are desirable; knowledge of further languages is advantageous. Your IT skills must include very good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. You should have excellent communication skills and organizational talent, and enjoy working in a team.

What we offer:

A diverse array of tasks in a communicative environment, with a family-friendly working atmosphere and an international, academic setting. The salary is based on the German public service salary scale TVöD (Bund) at up to level 9a or 9b (depending on qualifications).

The Institute is located close to the Freie Universität campus in the Dahlem district of Berlin. Further information on the MPIWG and the IMPRS-KIR can be found at www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/ and www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/de/research/departments/imprs.

The Max Planck Society (MPG) is committed to fostering equal opportunities and diversity. As an MPG institute, we expressly invite applications from qualified individuals of under-represented color, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, or social background. We aim to employ more people with disabilities, who are specifically encouraged to apply.

Please submit your complete application—including cover letter, CV, copies of qualifications and employers’ references (Arbeitszeugnisse)—as separate PDF documents (apart from the qualifications and references, which should be combined as one PDF file for qualifications, another for references), along with details of one referee, through the following application portal: https://recruitment.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/position/22347781

Your application must reach us by March 27, 2022 (23:59 Berlin time). Please note that we can only accept applications electronically through the portal.

Interviews will be held on April 28, 2022, at the MPIWG in Dahlem, Berlin.