Academic Assistant – Borders

Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut

Location: Florence, Italy
Department: Professor Bianca de Divitiis
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term
Contract period: One year, extendable up to three years
Start date: 1 December 2026; a later start may be considered in justified circumstances
Salary: According to the German public-sector collective agreement TVöD Bund, where applicable, or appropriate remuneration under Italian law
Application deadline: 30 September 2026, 12:00 CET
Working language: English
Application languages: English, German or Italian

The Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut is seeking a predoctoral or postdoctoral Academic Assistant to undertake independent research within its new departmental project, Borders.

The successful candidate will develop an original research project responding to the theme while contributing to the academic and organisational activities of Professor Bianca de Divitiis’s department.

About the Project

Borders examines boundaries as material, political, cultural and intellectual formations.

The project considers how borders are constructed, represented and contested through objects, sculpture, landscapes, maps and other forms of visual and material culture. It also explores historic and contemporary boundaries within cities, including areas and buildings occupied by minority communities, merchant nations and foreign-born populations.

The programme approaches borders as mobile, disputed and sometimes invisible structures rather than fixed geographical lines. It invites research across art history, architecture, urbanism, cartography, politics and contemporary artistic practice.

About the Role

The Academic Assistant will pursue an independent research project aligned thematically and methodologically with Borders.

They will work across disciplinary boundaries and engage with researchers from other fields, contemporary art historians and artists. Alongside their research, they will contribute to departmental coordination, publications, events, exhibitions and digital projects.

The position is based in Florence, and the successful candidate must reside in the city by the beginning of the appointment.

Responsibilities

The Academic Assistant will:

• Develop and undertake an independent research project;
• Contribute to the department’s academic and intellectual activities;
• Help coordinate doctoral and postdoctoral researchers working on Borders;
• Collaborate with visiting scholars from art history and other disciplines;
• Engage with contemporary artists and art historians;
• Contribute to publications, databases, digital projects and other research outputs;
• Plan and organise internal and public meetings;
• Support seminars, workshops and scholarly visits;
• Help organise research trips and annual summer courses;
• Contribute to exhibitions and related activities; and
• Undertake organisational responsibilities in collaboration with the Director.

Requirements

Applicants should:

• Be predoctoral or postdoctoral researchers;
• Demonstrate excellence and originality in research;
• Propose a project corresponding to the themes and methods of Borders;
• Be able to work across disciplinary boundaries;
• Demonstrate an interest in dialogue with researchers, contemporary artists and art historians;
• Have international academic or professional experience;
• Work effectively within a collaborative research environment;
• Demonstrate flexibility and organisational ability;
• Be fluent in English; and
• Be prepared to reside in Florence throughout the appointment.

Knowledge of Italian, Spanish, German or Portuguese would be advantageous.

The position cannot be held alongside another job or major fellowship. The successful candidate should not undertake other significant professional commitments during the employment period.

About the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz

The Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz is an institute of the Max Planck Society dedicated to research into the history of art and architecture.

Its international research community supports individual and collaborative scholarship, interdisciplinary exchange, publications, events and dialogue between historical research and contemporary artistic practice.

The Max Planck Society promotes equal opportunities and diversity and welcomes applications regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.