Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) | Legal History in India

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) | Legal History in India

Max Planck Society

The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt/Main is a world‑leading research institute with a staff of more than 150. Its three departments, comprising more than 70 scholars, the unrivaled collections of its specialised library and its numerous national and international co‑operations make it the central research hub for a global scientific community investigating the past, present and future of legal regimes.

The Department for European and Comparative Legal History, under the directorship of Professor Stefan Vogenauer, is looking to recruit, from 1 April 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, one Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) for its newly established Centre for Legal History in India, headed by Dr Reeju Ray.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate and pursue an independent project within the field of Legal History in India, including but not limited to colonial and pre‑colonial legal doctrines, law and society, constitutional history, and diplomatic and international legal history.
• Publish findings and actively contribute to the Institute’s research activities under the guidance of Professor Vogenauer.
• Advise doctoral researchers in the Department working on the field.

Profile

You hold a first‑class degree in law, the humanities or the social sciences and have produced an outstanding doctoral thesis or an equivalent portfolio of publications.

• Full proficiency in English, at least one Indian language, and willingness to learn German.
• Capacity to pursue research at the highest international level; ability to adopt interdisciplinary approaches, work independently and efficiently, and communicate effectively within a team.
• Excellent communication skills and the capacity to work in a team.

Our offer

We offer an attractive and international research environment with an unparalleled research infrastructure and a good working atmosphere.

• Annual salary before tax from €60,000 (E 13 band 1) to €89,500 (E 13 band 6) for a full‑time position (39 hours per week). A part‑time position is also possible.
• Social benefits for public workers, including a pension plan (VBL). The position is a fixed‑term appointment for five years in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal for a further fixed‑term period (up to five years).
• Unlimited access to the world‑leading library, a multitude of databases, office space and extensive academic and administrative support. Grants for research trips to archives and libraries and for attending conferences are available, as well as funding for German language classes.
• No teaching obligation or expectation (limited teaching assignments are encouraged if desired).
• Mobile working opportunities (up to 40 % per week) while being based in Frankfurt/Main.

EEO Statement

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

Application Procedure

• Application in English or German; a single PDF containing: reference contact details of three scholars who have agreed to provide a reference; detailed CV; list of publications; research proposal (up to ten pages); transcripts of academic achievements and degree certificates; two publications of some 20 pages in length each (journal articles, book chapters, etc.).
• Submit online via the application form on the homepage by the closing date of 6 January 2026.
• Send references by email to jobs@lhlt.mpg.de by the closing date of 6 January 2026. References may only be submitted by email; they do not have to be signed if emailed from the referee’s official mail address.
• Strong applicants will be invited for an online interview scheduled for 3 February 2026, and possibly for an interview at the Institute at a later stage.

Contact

Informal enquiries regarding the research topics may be directed to Professor Stefan Vogenauer (vogenauer@lhlt.mpg.de) and Dr Reeju Ray (ray@lhlt.mpg.de). Questions concerning terms and conditions of employment may be directed to jobs@lhlt.mpg.de.