Organisation: University of Bonn / Futurium – House of Futures
Location: Bonn & Berlin, Germany (with international travel, including African countries)
Contract: Temporary, full-time
Duration: 3 years (split employment: 1.5 years University of Bonn + 1.5 years Futurium)
Salary: TV-L / TVöD EG 13
Reference: 2026/194
Deadline: 26 April 2026
Start date: As soon as possible
The University of Bonn and Futurium are jointly seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher / Curator for the Z05 project “Negotiating African Futures: an exhibition project” within the CRC-TRR 228 “Future Rural Africa”.
The role focuses on developing an exhibition project that translates scientific research on rural African futures into accessible and engaging formats for public audiences in Europe and Africa, with a central exhibition at Futurium in Berlin.
The position involves close collaboration with academic and curatorial teams, as well as international partners, and requires regular travel between Bonn, Berlin, and African countries.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct and coordinate content-related research with CRC subprojects
- Develop a coherent, scientifically grounded exhibition concept
- Translate complex research into accessible exhibition formats (text, storyboard, digital/analogue media)
- Co-develop and coordinate workshops and activities in African contexts
- Collaborate with African-based partners, artists, and cultural institutions
- Integrate workshop outputs into exhibition development
- Support exhibition setup and realisation
- Design and implement exhibition evaluation processes
- Extensive travel across Germany and African regions
Profile Requirements
- PhD (or equivalent) in Geography, Anthropology, Science Communication, Art History, Journalism, Futures Studies, STS or related field
- In-depth knowledge of social, ecological, economic and cultural dynamics in rural Southern and Eastern Africa
- Familiarity with African contemporary art scenes
- Experience translating scientific content for public audiences (museum/exhibition context)
- Strong skills in exhibition design, storytelling, and digital/interactive formats
- Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects
- Strong interdisciplinary and cross-cultural working capacity
- Excellent English communication skills (journalistic writing experience an asset)
- Knowledge of Eastern or Southern African languages desirable
- Proficiency in digital tools and project management platforms
