Three Doctoral Candidates (x/f/m)

• University degree in law (with distinction)
• Deep knowledge of public international law
• Excellent knowledge of English (both spoken and written); knowledge of German is under certain conditions a requirement for enrolment as a doctoral candidate (see below). Knowledge of French will be considered as an asset.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• High motivation for academic work

• An attractive and international work environment with an unparalleled research infrastructure and a good working atmosphere
• A varied, responsible and team-orientated job
• A work space with extensive academic and administrative support
• Remuneration in accordance with the guidelines of the MPG funding agreements
• Access to our world leading library and a multitude of databases
• A workplace that is easy to reach by public transport and free employee parking spaces
• A job ticket for public transport
• Offers for work-life balance and four affiliated daycare centres

The research fellow will conduct legal research (contribution to common research projects and own publications), particularly in the field of public international law. Applicants are encouraged to apply with project ideas relating to the following three core research streams: (i) cooperation in antagonistic times, (ii) empirical foreign relations law and (iii) geographies of international law.

Candidates are expected to write a dissertation (doctoral thesis) in one of the aforementioned fields of research. Candidates must be able to fulfil the requirements for enrolment at the law school of Heidelberg or the law department of the Freie University (Berlin) and are themselves responsible for securing those. Teaching at the law faculty of the University of Heidelberg (mainly in German language) can possibly be arranged in consultation with the faculty.

Conditions

The positions are based on 3-year fixed-term contracts with the option for extension. The starting date of the position is expected to be in 2026, with details being negotiable.

Place of work is the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg and a regular physical presence in Heidelberg is required.

The salary and social benefits are provided according to the regulations of the Max Planck Society and the Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst (TVöD-Bund).