wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in (w/m/d) - Job Opportunity at Stiftung Haus der Geschichte Nordrhein-Westfalen

Düsseldorf, Germany
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: July 21, 2025
On-site
EUR 50,000 - 58,000 annually based on TV-L E13 pay scale for public sector employment in North Rhine-Westphalia. This represents competitive compensation for academic museum work in Germany, with potential for incremental increases based on experience and performance within the structured public sector framework.

Benefits

Comprehensive pension scheme through additional retirement provision with VBL (Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder), providing enhanced retirement security beyond standard public pension
Family-friendly flexible working hours (gleitende Arbeitszeit) enabling optimal work-life balance and personal schedule management
Part-time employment opportunities available, supporting diverse career and life stage requirements
Permanent employment contract (unbefristet) offering exceptional job security and career stability
Public sector employment benefits including standardized pay scales and transparent advancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Lead conceptual development of visitor-oriented exhibitions that balance scientific rigor with public engagement, directly shaping the institution's educational impact and public perception of North Rhine-Westphalia's history
Drive innovation in museum education and outreach programs through strategic planning and implementation of educational offerings that enhance visitor experience and learning outcomes
Create authoritative written content across multiple platforms including academic publications, institutional communications, and exhibition materials, establishing the foundation's scholarly reputation and public discourse contribution
Build and manage historical collections that preserve and interpret the region's cultural heritage, ensuring long-term institutional value and research resource development

Requirements

Education

abgeschlossenem Magister-/Masterstudium der Geschichts- oder Politikwissenschaften

Experience

Erfahrungen in der Museums- oder Ausstellungsarbeit

Required Skills

nachgewiesenen Kenntnissen der deutschen Zeitgeschichte Kenntnisse der NRW-Landesgeschichte sind wünschenswert ausgeprägte Fähigkeit zum konzeptionellen Denken selbstständig arbeiten großes persönliches Engagement ausgeprägte Fähigkeit zur Teamarbeit

Certifications

einschlägige Promotion ist erwünscht
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Digital transformation in cultural institutions is accelerating, with museums increasingly integrating virtual reality, augmented reality, and interactive digital platforms to enhance visitor engagement and accessibility. This shift requires academic professionals to develop hybrid skillsets combining traditional historical expertise with digital storytelling capabilities. Public history and heritage tourism are experiencing significant growth in Germany, particularly in regional identity projects. The focus on local and regional narratives reflects broader societal interest in understanding cultural roots and regional distinctiveness within the European context. Educational programming in museums is evolving toward participatory and community-engaged approaches, moving beyond traditional exhibition models to include workshops, community partnerships, and collaborative research projects that involve local stakeholders in historical interpretation.

Role Significance

Likely working within a small to medium-sized professional team of 8-15 staff members, with direct collaboration with exhibition designers, education coordinators, and senior management, while maintaining independent project leadership responsibilities.
This position represents a mid-level professional role with significant autonomy and strategic input into institutional programming. The role combines academic expertise with practical museum operations, positioning the holder as a key contributor to the foundation's scholarly reputation and public engagement mission.

Key Projects

Development of major temporary and permanent exhibitions exploring North Rhine-Westphalia's political, social, and economic evolution from post-war reconstruction to contemporary challenges Creation of educational programming for diverse audiences including school groups, university partnerships, and adult learning initiatives Research and acquisition projects focused on building comprehensive collections that document regional historical developments and cultural transformations

Success Factors

Deep scholarly knowledge of German contemporary history combined with ability to translate complex historical concepts into accessible public programming that engages diverse audiences effectively Strong project management capabilities enabling successful coordination of multi-faceted exhibition development from conceptualization through implementation while managing timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations Collaborative leadership skills that facilitate productive working relationships with colleagues, external partners, community organizations, and academic institutions while maintaining institutional standards and objectives Adaptability to evolving museum practices and technologies, demonstrating willingness to incorporate innovative approaches to historical presentation while preserving scholarly integrity and institutional mission

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand exists for qualified museum professionals with specialized regional history knowledge, particularly as German cultural institutions expand programming and seek to strengthen connections with local communities while maintaining academic standards.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of German contemporary history is essential as it forms the foundation for all exhibition development, educational programming, and scholarly contributions. This expertise must encompass both national historical developments and specific regional dynamics that shaped North Rhine-Westphalia's evolution from industrial heartland to modern cultural and political center. Museum and exhibition experience provides crucial practical knowledge for translating academic concepts into engaging public presentations. This includes understanding visitor psychology, spatial design principles, interpretive techniques, and the logistical complexities of exhibition development from concept through implementation. Conceptual thinking abilities enable strategic planning and innovative programming that distinguishes the institution's offerings while ensuring coherent thematic development across multiple projects and initiatives.

Beneficial Skills

Regional North Rhine-Westphalia historical knowledge would provide immediate practical value and demonstrate commitment to the institution's specific mission, potentially accelerating project contributions and stakeholder engagement Digital humanities skills including database management, digital archiving, and online exhibition development would enhance capabilities in an increasingly technology-integrated museum environment Foreign language proficiency, particularly English, would support international collaboration and broaden the foundation's scholarly networks and research capabilities

Unique Aspects

Opportunity to shape public understanding of North Rhine-Westphalia's distinctive historical trajectory, including its role in post-war German reconstruction, industrial transformation, and European integration, providing meaningful impact on regional cultural identity
Access to unique archival materials and historical collections specific to one of Europe's most economically significant regions, offering research opportunities unavailable elsewhere and potential for scholarly publication and recognition
Integration of academic research with public engagement in a well-funded institutional setting, allowing for both scholarly pursuits and practical application of historical knowledge in educational and cultural programming
Permanent employment security combined with public sector benefits in Germany's stable cultural institutional framework, providing exceptional career stability and professional development opportunities within the cultural heritage sector

Career Growth

Career advancement typically occurs within 5-8 years for progression to senior curatorial roles, with director-level positions accessible within 10-12 years given strong performance and continued professional development including completion of doctoral studies.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Curator or Chief Curator positions at regional or national museums, leading institutional programming and strategic direction Museum Director or Deputy Director roles at cultural institutions, taking responsibility for overall operations and institutional vision Academic positions at universities combining teaching and research in public history, museum studies, or regional history specializations

Company Overview

Stiftung Haus der Geschichte Nordrhein-Westfalen

Stiftung Haus der Geschichte Nordrhein-Westfalen operates as a public law foundation dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Germany's most populous state. Established to promote understanding of regional identity and historical development, the foundation serves as a key cultural institution connecting academic research with public education through exhibitions, publications, and community programming.

The foundation holds a respected position within Germany's museum and cultural heritage sector, particularly for regional historical interpretation. As a state-supported institution, it benefits from stable funding and governmental backing while maintaining scholarly independence and professional credibility within academic and museum communities.
Located in Düsseldorf, the foundation operates at the heart of North Rhine-Westphalia's political and economic center, providing strategic access to government resources, academic institutions, and cultural networks. This positioning enhances opportunities for collaboration and influence within regional cultural policy and historical discourse.
The institution likely maintains a scholarly, collaborative environment typical of German public cultural institutions, emphasizing thorough research, collegial decision-making, and commitment to public service. The permanent employment structure and flexible working arrangements suggest a supportive, stability-focused workplace culture that values work-life balance and professional development.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.