Organizer Information
The Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut (KHI) is an internationally recognized research institute for the history of art, architecture, and photography. Founded in 1897 and part of the Max Planck Society since 2002, the KHI conducts fundamental research from a transcultural and interdisciplinary perspective. Its work engages with historical and contemporary questions including heritage, migration, visual and material culture, museums and archives, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and global art worlds.
The KHI Library is an important international research hub, holding approximately 350,000 volumes and combining physical collections with digital resources, rare books, data services, and research infrastructure.
Title & Description
Head of the Library – Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz (KHI)
The KHI is seeking a Head of the Library for a permanent, full-time position in Florence, Italy, with a preferred start date of November 1, 2027. The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for the KHI Library and contribute to the Institute's broader research infrastructure and leadership team.
The position combines library management, collection development, conservation, digital humanities, data services, research support, staff leadership, fundraising, and international scholarly collaboration.
The Role Overview
- Position: Head of the Library
- Contract: Permanent, full-time
- Location: Florence, Italy
- Preferred start: November 1, 2027
- Salary: Remuneration based on TVöD (Bund) according to qualifications, with German federal public-service social benefits; alternatively, an Italian-law contract with equivalent remuneration
- Reporting: Member of the KHI leadership team
- Institution: Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz – Max-Planck-Institut
- Library collection: Approximately 350,000 volumes
- Application deadline: September 30, 2026, 23:59 CEST
Position & Tasks
The Head of the Library will develop a research-driven acquisition strategy covering books, e-books, periodicals, databases, and digital resources; oversee conservation and special collections; and advance digitization, open access, research data management, computational methods, and AI-related library services.
The role also includes managing library personnel and budgets, developing future-oriented library spaces, overseeing cataloging and classification systems in collaboration with the kubikat consortium, and contributing to the intellectual and organizational life of the KHI.
Additional responsibilities include grant writing and fundraising, public-facing exhibitions, international conferences and workshops, and strengthening collaboration with German and international library networks, including AKMB, DBV, BVB, IFLA, the MPG library network, and the Max Planck Digital Library.
Categories
- Art History
- Library & Information Science
- Research Infrastructure
- Digital Humanities
- Cultural Heritage
- Photography
- Architecture
- Academic Research
Eligibility
- A PhD in art history or a neighboring discipline
- Eligibility for academic librarianship in Germany, or willingness to obtain the required qualification through a fully funded two-year Master's program
- Leadership experience in a research library, academic institution, or comparable research infrastructure
- Experience with personnel, budgets, strategic planning, and organizational development
- Native or near-native German
- Excellent English and Italian
- Full-time availability for the Florence-based position
The KHI welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
Program Benefits
The successful candidate receives a permanent position, remuneration according to the applicable German public-service framework or an equivalent Italian-law contract, and associated social benefits. Where applicable, the required academic librarianship qualification may be obtained through a fully funded two-year Master's program.
The role also provides participation in the leadership and intellectual life of an internationally connected research institute and collaboration with major German and international library and research networks.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 30 September 2026
- Preferred starting date: November 1, 2027
Location
Florence, Italy
Additional Details
The position has a strong international and interdisciplinary dimension. The KHI Library collaborates with German library and data infrastructures, including the kubikat consortium, and participates in the Max Planck Society's library network and international professional organizations.
For further information, applicants may contact Eva Mußotter or Mandy Richter at the KHI.