Job Opening: Researcher in the Field of Digital Humanities (m/f/d) at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt (100%, 3 years)

The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory (MPI LHLT) in Frankfurt is looking for a Researcher in Digital Humanities (m/f/d) to join the department „Historical Regimes of Normativity“, starting 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. You will work within the research project Normative knowledge in the Praxis of the Congregation of the Council (PI: Prof. Dr. Benedetta Albani). The position is full-time (currently 39 h/week, divisible), fixed-term for 3 years, paid up to TVöD Bund E13.

What you’ll do:
– Build knowledge graphs from historical data (data modeling / ontology design; querying and analysis with SPARQL)
– Develop scholarly web interfaces (interactive web apps with R / Shiny, innovative publication formats) that link the knowledge graph with transcriptions, images and maps
– Together with the research group and colleagues from research, library and IT, define requirements for digital tools, evaluate and adapt existing solutions, and specify and build new ones where none exist
– Contribute to DH methods and questions, and present your work at conferences and seminars

What we’re looking for:
– A university degree (Master, M.A. or Diplom) in a relevant discipline, with demonstrated experience in Digital / Computational Humanities
– Strong collaboration and organizational skills, and an independent, goal-oriented way of working
– Very good written and spoken English (essential)

More on the project: https://www.lhlt.mpg.de/2732195/rg-albani-Normative-knowledge-in-the-praxis-of-the-Congregation-of-the-Council?c=1796887, or contact Prof. Dr. Benedetta Albani (albani@lhlt.mpg.de)

Applications go through our online portal only (cover letter, detailed CV, certificates, references). The Max Planck Society welcomes applications of every background and explicitly encourages women and severely disabled persons to apply.

More info about application process: https://jobs.lhlt.mpg.de/jobposting/62607be389686327a0c14d8e4125d7a03e2dd8330 

Application deadline: 7 July 2026