The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin  
announces one two-years postdoctoral fellowship for up to two years,  
beginning in December 2010.

The fellow will join a project called “The Neurological Adolescent,”  
conducted by Dr. Suparna Choudhury in the framework of the  
interdisciplinary Critical Neuroscience group based in Berlin (www.critical-neuroscience.org 
). The project is hosted in Department II at the Max Planck Institute  
for the History of Science, and is connected to the project “The  
Cerebral Subject: Brain and Self in Contemporary Culture.” Some of the  
research is conducted in collaboration with the Berlin School of Mind  
and Brain (http://www.mind-and-brain.de).

“The Neurological Adolescent” project examines the historical  
construction of adolescence and analyses of models of cognitive  
development and adolescent behaviour in twentieth century psychology  
and contemporary cognitive neuroscience. The project also investigates  
the appropriation of theories about affect and risk in adolescent  
psychiatry as well as social and health policy. Please see http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/research/projects/MRG_Choudhury 
  for a fuller description. Although projects must have a history of  
science component, projects may concern questions from a range of  
topics relevant to the rubric of the “Neurological Adolescent”,  
including:

adolescent brain development and educational policy
biomarkers and neuroplasticity in adolescence
adolescent “risk” in psychology and neuroscience
plasticity and educability in 20th Century psychology and brain sciences

The future research fellow should hold a PhD in anthropology, history  
of science or related field, and must be familiar with neuroimaging  
research. Experience in a mental health or neuroscience setting would  
be an advantage. Candidates should be interested to conduct  
ethnographic research in neuroimaging laboratories.  Consideration  
will also be given to excellent candidates with expertise in other  
relevant disciplines (cognitive neuroscience, STS, history and  
philosophy of science, psychiatry), but with openness to the other  
disciplines and a willingness to develop skills in qualitative  
research methods.

The candidate will devote 25% of time to organizational activities,  
including administrative duties involved in workshops and conferences,  
and will be expected to attend and present at regular meetings.

Outstanding junior scholars are invited to apply. Fellowships are  
endowed with a monthly stipend between 1.900 € and 2.300 € (fellows  
from abroad) or between 1.468 € and 1.621 € (fellows from Germany).  
Women are especially encouraged to apply. The Max Planck Society is  
committed to promote more handicapped individuals. The fellowships are  
open to candidates of all nationalities. The language at colloquia,  
workshops, and meetings is English.

Applications should be submitted in English. Candidates are requested  
to send a curriculum vitae, publication list, research prospectus  
(maximum 750 words), a sample text, and two letters of recommendation  
no later than

  October 15, 2010

to:
Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
Administration, PD-II-III
Boltzmannstraße 22
D-14195 Berlin, Germany

Applications via e-mail should be addressed to Regina Held at [log in to unmask]

Please address queries to Dr. Suparna Choudhury at [log in to unmask] 
.

Links for further information

Critical Neuroscience - www.critical-neuroscience.org
Berlin School of Mind and Brain - www.mind-and-brain.de
“The Cerebral Subject: Brain and Self in Contemporary Culture“ - 
www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/en/research/projects/department2/projects/ 
DeptII_Cerebral_Subject/