2026 Max Planck Institute PhD Position in Public International Law

At the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, scholars pursue research relating to basic issues and current developments in the areas of public international law, European Union law, and the constitutional and administrative law of individual states, together with numerous visiting scholars from all over the world. In its fields, our library is the largest in Europe and one of the most comprehensive in the world.

Currently, Max Placnk Institute is seeking to recruit three Doctoral Candidates (d/f/m) with Professor Helmut Philipp Aust in the subject area “public international law”.

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:

• cooperation in antagonistic times,
• empirical foreign relations law and
• 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 the German language) can be arranged in consultation with the faculty.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJune 15, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorMax Planck Society for the Advancement of Science
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• An attractive and international work environment with an unparalleled research infrastructure and a good working atmosphere
• A varied, responsible and team-oriented job
• A workspace 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 has free employee parking spaces
• A job ticket for public transport
• Offers for work-life balance and four affiliated daycare centres

Requirements

• 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 an asset.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills
• High motivation for academic work

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

June 15, 2026

How To Apply

Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science on jobs.mpil.de to apply

Inquiries may be directed to [email protected].

For more information, kindly visit Max Planck Institute webpage.