The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science, Berlin (Independent 
Research Group on Modern Geometry and the Concept of Space; Director: 
Vincenzo De Risi) announces Two Post-doctoral Fellowships for one year in 
the academic year 2012-2013 (with the possibility to begin as soon as 
Summer 2012).

The Research Group is also accepting proposals for non-funded visiting 
positions. See the details on the web page of the group.

Research projects should concern the history of geometry, the history of 
mathematical epistemology or the history of the concept of space from the 
Ancient to the Early Modern Age. Possible topics include:

- The history of elementary geometry and Euclid’s Elements in Antiquity 
and the Renaissance.

- The philosophy of mathematics from Antiquity to the 18th century.

- The conception of space from Descartes to Kant.

- The beginnings of projective geometry.

- Optics and the theory of vision.

A fuller description of the topics and aims of the Research Group can be 
found here: http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/research/projects/MRGdeRisi.

The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science is an international 
and interdisciplinary research institute. The colloquium language is 
English; it is expected that candidates will be able to present their own 
work and discuss that of others fluently in that language. Applications 
may however be submitted in German, English, French, or Italian.

Candidates should hold a doctorate at the time the position begins, and 
show evidence of scholarly promise in the form of publications or other 
achievements. The position is primarily devoted to research, with no 
teaching and minimal administrative duties. Fellows are expected to take 
part to the cultural and scientific life of the Institute, to advance 
their own research project, and to actively contribute to the Group 
researches.

Fellowships are endowed with a monthly stipend between 1.900 € and 2.300 € 
(fellows from abroad) or between 1.468 € and 1.621 € (fellows from 
Germany). Please address specific questions to Ms. Claudia Paaß, Head of 
Administration (paass@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de).

Candidates are requested to submit a curriculum vitae (including list of 
publications), a research proposal on a topic related to the project, a 
sample writing representative of the candidate’s work (such as a chapter 
of the doctoral dissertation or a scientific article), and names and 
addresses (preferably including email) of two referees who have already 
been contacted by the applicant to assure their willingness to submit 
letters of presentation if requested, to

Max-Planck-Institut für Wissenschaftsgeschichte
Verwaltung, NWG De Risi
Boltzmanstr. 22, 14195 Berlin

or by email to: verwaltungsleitung@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de by February 15th, 
2012.

For questions concerning the research project, please contact Dr. Vincenzo 
De Risi (vderisi@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de); for administrative questions 
concerning the position and the Institute, please contact Mr. Jochen 
Schneider (jsr@mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de), Research Coordinator. Scholars of all 
nationalities are welcome to apply; applications from women are especially 
welcomed. The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more 
handicapped individuals and encourages them to apply.