The German Maritime Museum – Leibniz Institute for Maritime History (DSM) is one of eight research museums of the Leibniz Association. The exhibition and research program focuses on the study of maritime technologies and the relationship between man and the sea. The DSM translates the collection-related research results into museum exhibition concepts and museum educational activities. To this end, it conceives and designs third-party funded projects in cooperation with other scientific institutions. With about 100 employees and trainees and about 8000 square meters of exhibition space, it is one of the largest maritime museums in Europe.
The UNIVERSITY OF BREMEN is a research university with an internationally distinguished focus on maritime research.
Within the framework of a joint appointment procedure (§ 20 BremHG), the following position is to be filled as soon as possible: Director of the German Maritime Museum – Leibniz Institute for Maritime History in connection with a cooperative professorship (female/male/nonbinary) Pay grade W3 for Maritime History in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FB 08) in the subject of history at the University of Bremen. Reference number: P822/22
Upon fulfillment of the general civil service requirements, the appointment to the professorship is tenured with civil service status for life.
The director of the German Maritime Museum will represent the museum internally and externally, in particular at the interface between science, the public and politics, and will be responsible for the overall scientific orientation. This defines the guidelines for cooperation in the research museum and provides the framework for exhibitions, collections, research and museum education. The successful candidate will embed the museum in the overall field of interdisciplinary maritime research and will actively contribute to the Leibniz Association.
We are looking for a leadership personality with an excellent and international research network and with a broad knowledge of general maritime history. The applicant should possess an interdisciplinary and international orientation and a strategic research vision.
Extensive and demonstrable knowledge, experience, and skills that will enable the individual to lead a research museum are expected. This includes a proven track record in attracting external funding, the ability to design and implement research programs, and a strong engagement in national and international collaborations. Demonstrable skills and experience in managing larger research units, assertiveness and negotiation skills, a high level of interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and experience in managing scientific and nonscientific staff are required. These should be complemented by an in-depth knowledge of the specific requirements of museum work and an active engagement with issues of diversity, gender, and inclusion.
Formal requirements for the position are a relevant academic university degree, a relevant and outstanding doctorate, and further academic achievements (habilitation or equivalent academic accomplishments) in the subject of history or, in justified cases, from related subjects with a strong connection to the study of history, which may have occurred outside of the university sector. Pedagogic-didactical aptitude, which as a rule must be demonstrated by experience in university teaching, as well as a willingness to participate in further training in academic instruction are also required. Proficiency in German (at least very good reading skills for international applicants) and English is expected, as well as the willingness to offer courses in German and English; initially poor active German language skills should be ameliorated after three years at the latest.
Knowledge of another European foreign language, proven skills in the methodology of scholarly communication, evaluated experience in successful teaching-learning projects at an academic institution, and teaching experience in the field of public history are also desirable.
The appointment is based on §§ 18, 20 BremHG and § 116 BremBG.
The university offers a variety of services to support newly appointed staff, such as a Welcome Center, opportunities for childcare and dual careers, and programs for staff development and continuing education.
The German Maritime Museum and the University of Bremen are seeking to increase the share of women in academia. The university has received several awards from gender equity and family friendliness programs and strongly encourages female scholars to apply. International applications and applications from academics with a migration background or experience abroad are expressly welcome. Severely disabled applicants will be given priority over candidates with essentially equivalent professional and personal qualifications.
For further information please contact: Prof. Dr. Susanne Schattenberg (schattenberg@uni-bremen.de) or if you have any questions about the DSM / Leibniz Gemeinschaft to Prof. Dr. Sebastian Vehlken (vehlken@dsm.museum).
Please send your application with the relevant documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, certificates, two- to three-page proposal for the future research profile of the German Maritime Museum, and listing of all third-party funded projects as well as exhibition projects, proof of management experience as well as academic teaching experience), quoting the above reference number, by 23rd December 2022 to:
Dean of the Faculty 08/ Social Sciences
University of Bremen
Reference number: P822/22
University Boulevard 11-13
28359 Bremen
or electronically to: fb08.bewerbung@uni-bremen.de
Applications received after this date will be considered where appropriate.
Further information on appointment procedures at the University of Bremen can be found at https://www.uni-bremen.de/berufungsverfahren (https://www.unibremen.de/berufungsverfahren).