1 PostDoc position in History of Science and Digital Humanities, ERC BOTLEG, Ruhr University Bochum

Updated: about 3 hours ago
Location: Bochum, NORDRHEIN WESTFALEN
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 25 May 2026

20 Apr 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company

Ruhr University Bochum
Department

Institute of Philosophy I
Research Field

History » History of science
Philosophy » Philosophy of science
Biological sciences » Biology
Computer science » Informatics
Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions

Postdoc Positions
Application Deadline

25 May 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
Country

Germany
Type of Contract

Temporary
Job Status

Full-time
Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - ERC
Reference Number

101230109
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Institute of Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, seeks applications for 1 PostDoc position (3 years) in the ERC Consolidator Project “BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies: Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria”, PI Dr. Jan Baedke. 
This ERC project aims to help develop more historically informed, theoretically sound, and socially just botanical research by focusing on virtual herbaria—digitized collections of plant specimens. From a perspective of integrated history and philosophy of science, it addresses several historical, epistemic, and conceptual challenges of herbarium research in light of current digitization trends. BOTLEG will collaborate with botanists and herbarium experts in Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Netherlands. For more information, see here: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101230109  
Details: 

1x Postdoc in History of Science or Digital Humanities

Information on Call and Application page for PostDoc position .

Deadline of all Applications: 25th May 2026

For any further inquiries please contact jan.baedke@rub.de .


Where to apply
Website
https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/9fca0a647b54e61a9b366628a2c463442231…

Requirements
Research Field
History » History of science
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Research Field
Computer science » Informatics
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Research Field
Philosophy » Philosophy of science
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Research Field
Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Research Field
Cultural studies » Other
Education Level
PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The successful candidate (m/f/x) is expected to actively contribute to the above project. The Post-Doctoral project should study the work and impact of (networks of) local and Indigenous plant collectors (19-20th century) in Central America (or Latin America more generally) and/or South East Asia. This work should be supported by digital humanities approaches, exploring biodiversity databases as historical sources, and/or archival research. A focus of the project should be on (or related to) issues of colonial history of botany, digitization and biases in natural history collections, epistemic injustice and traditional ecological knowledge.
The candidates (m/f/x) should have a strong interest in integrating historical and philosophical studies of science in their work. Although no prior knowledge of history of biology is required, such knowledge will be considered as a plus. Other general requirements are high research, writing, and communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as part of an (international) team, and excellent command of English (mastering the German Language is not required).


Specific Requirements

A PhD in history, digital humanities, cultural studies, philosophy, or another relevant discipline. The candidate (m/f/x) should have expertise or some knowledge in one (or both) of the following fields:

(1)    History of Science or History of Colonialism

(2)   Digital Humanities (e.g., Digital Natural and Cultural Heritage)

They should have the (1) ability to substantively engage with historical sources (with reading skills in Dutch, Spanish or Bahasa Indonesia, or willingness to acquire these skills) and have experience in archival research and/or (2) experience in computational methods of text mining, analysis, and visualization (e.g. Python) or analysis of biodiversity data (e.g., R).


Additional Information
Additional comments

Apply through the RUB homepage: https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/9fca0a647b54e61a9b366628a2c4634422316617?ref=homepage  
Deadline: 25th May 2026
Starting date: 1st Sept 2026 (negotiable)


Website for additional job details

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/9fca0a647b54e61a9b366628a2c463442231…

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Ruhr University Bochum
Country
Germany
Geofield


Contact
City

Bochum
Website

https://www.pe.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/philosophie/i/wtwg/team/baedke.html.de
Street

Universitätsstr. 150
Postal Code

44801
E-Mail

jan.baedke@rub.de

STATUS: EXPIRED

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