Research Scientist

Digital Humanities Research Scientist (M/F/D)

Max Planck Research Group "Machine Visual Culture: Artificial Intelligence and the History of Seeing"

The Machine Visual Culture research group investigates the reciprocal relationship between artificial intelligence and visual culture, focusing on how machine vision systems both shape and are shaped by histories of seeing. Combining digital art history with critical AI studies and media archaeology, the group explores AI both as a revolutionary methodology for the study of visual culture, and also as a cultural phenomenon in its own right with important implications for the humanities. Machine Visual Culture offers an interdisciplinary approach that positions AI as both a subject of cultural critique and a transformative approach to art historical research. The research group collaborates closely with international partners, in particular with Cambridge Digital Humanities at the University of Cambridge.

The Machine Visual Culture group is seeking a Digital Humanities Research Scientist to join the core team in Rome.

Be willing to work across both backend and frontend development in interdisciplinary projects

Lead seminars and discussions of technical material (especially relating to computer vision and artificial intelligence) with scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds

Work closely with other group members, including technical consulting and collaborative prototyping on research group projects; such as frontend code for public demos and computer vision / data science experiments

Contribute to the planning and organisation of seminars, workshops, publications and research grants

Active participation in the activities of the research group and institute is expected.

Background in computational humanities, data science, computer science, or a related discipline, or equivalent technical experience

Research interests that align with the MPRG Machine Visual Culture.

Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English

Ability to reside in Rome for the duration of the appointment

Willingness to take a leading role in the research group’s research activities, including seminars, reading sessions, and conferences

Sample of prior work (code repository, website, etc) with description of personal involvement (max. Salary and social benefits for this position are in line with the remuneration scheme of the German Embassy in Rome; We promote an open and welcoming workplace culture, support work-life balance, and offer flexible working hours.

Applications must be submitted in English by Monday 12th January 2026. We expect to hold interviews remotely during the week of the 19th January.

#