Digital history, and especially computational history, is a dynamically developing field with great potential for new and innovative research approaches and projects. Its focus is on working with complex and heterogeneous data, which presents new technological and methodological challenges and thus stimulates new experimental solutions.

The professorship for Digital History at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has been established in 2020 and focuses on the adaptation and application of data-driven digital methods to historical research questions and their critical reflection, based on texts as well as on images and structured data. For the further development of the professorship we are looking for a

Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the field of Digital History (m/f/d), Full-time – E 13 TV-L HU

max. 6 years (subject to WissZeitVG)

Field of activity:

• Scientific services in research and teaching
• Participation in the development of projects and the acquisition of third-party funding as well as the implementation of your own innovative research projects, especially in the fields of NLP, Machine Learning or Research Software Engineering
• Your own academic qualification (habilitation)

Requirements:

• Completed university studies and doctorate in the fields of computer science, history, computational linguistics or related subjects
• In-depth knowledge of current methods and technologies in at least one of the following areas: NLP, Machine Learning or Research Software Engineering (RSE)
• Solid programming skills in Python and optionally other programming languages
• A good command of written and spoken English as well as a basic knowledge of German (and the willingness to develop this upon taking up the position)
• Experience in the interdisciplinary work between computer science and humanities

You have very good conceptual skills and a pronounced ability to work in a team, as well as the willingness to go beyond conventional solutions and quickly familiarise yourself with new approaches and areas of application. In addition, you are able to convey computer science knowledge in a humanities context in research and teaching in an engaging and forward-looking manner. Experience in the acquisition of third-party funding and in project management would be an advantage.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to do innovative work and research, to contribute and implement your own ideas and thus to actively participate in the further development of the professorship
• Support for the development of your own projects and infrastructure from corresponding funds of the professorship
• A friendly and open team with a modern working culture
• A well-established and internationally renowned university in the heart of Berlin as your place to work
• An innovative and creative Digital Humanities environment
• City with high recreational value.

Please send your application (with cover letter, curriculum vitae, relevant certificates and a project outline of 2-3 pages on your experience and ideas with which you would like to contribute to the chair) by 18 March 2021, quoting the Reference number AN/043/21 to the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Department of History, Prof. Dr. Torsten Hiltmann, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin or preferably by e-mail in one PDF file to digitalhistory@hu-berlin.de.

HU is seeking to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching, and specifically encourages qualified female scholars to apply. Severely disabled applicants with equivalent qualifications will be given preferential consideration. People with an immigration background are specifically encouraged to apply. Since we will not return your documents, please submit copies in the application only.

Please visit the website www.hu-berlin.de/stellenangebote, which gives you access to the official German version.