Doctoral Candidate (x/f/m)
with Professor Helmut Philipp Aust

• University degree in law, political science or related disciplines (with distinction)
• Deep knowledge of public international law
• Excellent knowledge of German and English (both spoken and written); 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 work in the context of the DFG-funded Research Project “RE_INFORM: Informalized International Law and Foreign Relations Law” which is undertaken at MPIL in co-operation with the Goethe University Frankfurt (Prof. Dr. Thomas Kleinlein). The project involves a combination of doctrinal and empirical approaches. Experience with or a readiness to embrace socio-legal methods of research (in particular with respect to the conduct of interviews and the subsequent transcription, coding and analysis of the material) is required for the position. Further information on the project can be found on the dedicated project website: Informalized International Law and Foreign Relations Law: Doctrine, Empirics, Reform.

Candidates are expected to write a dissertation (doctoral thesis) on a topic which relates to the topic of the research project. 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 position is based on 3-year fixed-term contracts. The starting date of the position is 1 October 2026.

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. As the project involves the conduct of interviews with government officials and other practitioners, a willingness to travel to Berlin from time to time is expected.

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).