Hans-Jörg Rheinberger

Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Rheinberger is an Honorary Professor at the Technical University of Berlin’s Department of History of Science and a Director at the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science (MPIWG) in Berlin since 1997. He holds academic appointments as a Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society and is affiliated with institutions such as the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences. His research bridges the history of science with contemporary life sciences, focusing on experimental epistemology, molecular biology, and transdisciplinary knowledge systems.

Education:

• MA in Philosophy (1973, Tübingen)
• PhD in Biology (1982, Berlin)
• Habilitation in Molecular Biology (1987)

Research Interests: Dr. Rheinberger’s work explores the history and epistemology of experimentation in life sciences, particularly the interplay between historical and modern scientific practices. His key areas include molecular biology, heredity research, and the cultural dimensions of scientific knowledge. He emphasizes experimental systems, error analysis, and the visualization of scientific concepts through art and text.

Awards and Fellowships:

• honorary doctorate from ETH Zurich
• member of Leopoldina and Berlin-Brandenburg Academy
• former fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Berlin and Collegium Helveticum

Advising and Grants: While no formal student advisees are listed, his directorship at MPIWG and collaborations imply leadership in mentoring researchers. His work is supported through institutional funding and international cooperations.

Labs/Teams: Leads research at MPIWG, collaborating on projects like Experimentalization of Life and A Cultural History of Heredity, integrating interdisciplinary teams from history, philosophy, and life sciences.