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Faculty of Philosophy and Educational Research :
Chair of History and Philosophy of Science
ERC project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies: Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria"
In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) 1st Sept 2026 (negotiable), we are looking for a
Post-Doctoral Researcher (m/f/x), Area: History of Science, Digital Humanities
The Institute of Philosophy I at the Ruhr University Bochum seeks applications for one fully funded Post-Doctoral Researcher Positions (1.0 FTE) for 3 years. It will be part of the ERC-funded project "BOTLEG – Botanical Legacies: Towards a New History and Philosophy of Virtual Herbaria" (PI Dr. Jan Baedke).
This ERC-funded project aims to help develop more inclusive, 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 (m/f/x) and herbarium experts (m/f/x) in Central America, Southeast Asia, and the Netherlands. More information on the project: https://tinyurl.com/yc236p2j
Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 3 years
Start: 1st Sept 2026 (negotiable)
Apply by: 2026-05-25
Your tasks:
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 successful candidate (m/f/x) will be encouraged to present their research at international workshops or conferences, and at meetings of the international research group. Research collaborations with other team members (from Mexico, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Germany, and the U.S.) as well as with members of the Chair of History and Philosophy of Science are strongly encouraged. The Post-Doctoral researcher (m/f/x) will co-organize workshops and conferences with the other members of the team. The successful candidate (m/f/x) will enjoy the groups’ administrative facilities and financial support. In addition, there is the possibility, though no obligation, to conduct some teaching in English (or German).
Your profile:
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).
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).
We offer:
- A diverse and fair working environment
- Support in reconciling work and family life
- Extensive advanced training opportunities
- Occupational health management offers
The Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) is located in the dynamic metropolitan and multicultural region of the Ruhrgebiet (state of North-Rhine Westfalia, close to the Netherlands and Belgium). With its 20 faculties RUB houses 43,000 students from over 130 different nationalities, over 800 international researchers and visiting staff, and a broad range of disciplines on one compact campus, including the humanities and social sciences, science and technology, and health sciences. It offers rich opportunities for collaboration across different disciplines and one of the largest botanical gardens among German universities. The ‘Institutes of Philosophy’ (I and II) are the largest Philosophy Department in Germany, which provides an ideal environment for Post-Doctoral researchers to both broaden and deepen their expertise and personal skills to further their career. For more information on the Chair of History and Philosophy of Science, please visit:
Further information:
The position is salaried and based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L). If the personal and collective agreement requirements are met, the employee will receive pay grade E13 TV-L.
Further information can be found at (in German).
The place of work is Ruhr University Bochum.
If the position is funded by third-party funds the employee has no teaching obligation.
Applications in English should include: • A cover letter that addresses, among others, personal academic background and research interests. • A brief description (maximum: 2 pages) of a planned research project in the context of the ERC group. • CV, including list of publications, and 2 references (recommendation letters are not required at this stage). • 3 samples of written work. • A copy of the relevant degrees/certificates.
RUB sees itself as a university with an international presence. The campus languages are German and English. Competence in at least one of the two languages and the willingness to learn the other are a prerequisite. RUB provides corresponding free courses for employees.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZFA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
The Staff Council has the right to participate in all selection interviews. At the request of a candidate (m/f/x), it will ensure its participation in the entire procedure. Please contact wpr@rub.de.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is Ruhr-Universität Bochum’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favour a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams, and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome.
Contact persons for further information:
Prof. Dr. Jan Baedke, +49(0)234/32-24727
Travel costs, accommodation costs and loss of earnings or other application costs for job interviews can unfortunately not be reimbursed.
We look forward to receiving your application via our online application portal by 2026-05-25. Please make sure to mention the reference number ANR 5643.
RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM
44801 Bochum
Universitätsstraße 150
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