Organizer Information
The Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut (KHI) is a leading international research institute founded in 1897 and integrated into the Max Planck Society since 2002. It is dedicated to advanced scholarship in art history, architecture, photography, and visual culture. Operating as a transdisciplinary research laboratory, KHI engages deeply with global humanities debates including ecology, migration, digital transformation, museum politics, and archival studies.
The institute is internationally recognized for combining rigorous academic research with public dissemination through conferences, publications, and events held in Florence, Berlin, and beyond. It functions as both a scholarly hub and an institutional platform for experimental, cross-disciplinary inquiry in the humanities.
Title & Description
Head of Research Coordination and Public Relations – Three-Year Academic Leadership Position
The KHI is seeking a Head of Research Coordination and Public Relations for a fixed three-year appointment starting 1 September 2026 in Florence, Italy. This is a senior leadership role focused on managing research communication, institutional visibility, and coordination of interdisciplinary academic activities within one of Europe’s most prestigious art history research institutes.
The position operates at the intersection of Art Management, academic research dissemination, and institutional communication strategy. The selected candidate will lead a small team responsible for integrating the institute’s research output into a coherent public-facing and internal communication framework.
The role is designed for a highly qualified academic professional with expertise in art history or architecture and strong experience in research coordination, editorial communication, and institutional strategy. It plays a central role in shaping how the KHI communicates its research agenda to global academic and public audiences.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time leadership position (Job)
- Contract Duration: 3 years (fixed-term)
- Start Date: 1 September 2026
- Salary Level: TVöD E14 (German federal public service scale) or equivalent Italian contract
- Benefits: Social benefits aligned with public service regulations + possible international assignment allowances (§45 BT-V TVöD)
- Reporting To: Directors of the KHI
- Team Structure: Small internal team + coordination with Max Planck Society research communication network
- Location: Florence-based (non-remote, exclusive employment requirement)
Position & Tasks
The Head of Research Coordination and Public Relations will oversee strategic and operational communication across the institute. Core responsibilities include:
- Coordination of the institute’s academic events program
- Preparation and management of institutional reporting (including Research Reports for scientific evaluation boards)
- Development of communication strategies (corporate identity, digital presence, publications)
- Oversight of website, newsletters, social media, and print/digital editorial production
- Media relations and press communication strategy
- Internal communication systems, including intranet infrastructure
- Onboarding and offboarding coordination for research staff
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary research groups and international partners
- Representation of KHI within the Max Planck Society communication network
This role requires both managerial oversight and hands-on editorial and strategic communication work.
Categories
- Art Management
- Art Writing
- Curatorial
- Research
- Art Critic
- Architecture
- Visual Arts
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Publication
Eligibility
- Master’s or PhD in Art History or Architecture (required)
- Strong knowledge of humanities research environments
- Experience in research management and institutional communication
- Proven editorial and writing expertise
- Fluency in two of three languages (German, Italian, English) with a strong command of the third
- Strong leadership, teamwork, and organizational skills
- High adaptability and resilience in academic institutional contexts
- Open to international applicants (subject to language and qualification requirements)
Program Benefits
- 3-year senior leadership employment contract
- Competitive salary aligned with TVöD E14 scale
- Social benefits according to German federal public service standards
- Possible international allowance depending on contract structure
- High-level institutional visibility within the Max Planck Society
- Leadership role in a globally recognized humanities research institute
- Opportunity to shape international research communication strategy
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter
- Full CV
- Combined into a single PDF (max 5 MB)
- Submission via the official portal
Additional expectations:
- Demonstrated experience in academic communication or research coordination
- Strong editorial portfolio (recommended but not explicitly required)
- Evidence of leadership and institutional management experience
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
- Start Date: 1 September 2026
- Contract Duration: 3 years
Location
Florence, Italy
Additional Details
The KHI emphasizes equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion across all hiring processes. Applications are welcome regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation.
The role is highly integrated into the institute’s broader research ecosystem and requires close collaboration with international academic networks. It is not compatible with other concurrent employment or external obligations.
Applicants will engage with a complex institutional structure combining academic research, public communication, and strategic cultural dissemination across multiple platforms and geographies.