The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is one of the leading centres for research in social 
anthropology. Common to all research projects at the institute is the comparative analysis of social 
change; it is primarily in this domain that its researchers contribute to anthropological theory, though 
many programmes also have applied significance and political topicality. 

The Department ‘Law & Anthropology ’of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is offering 
positions in the Max Planck Research Group ‘Transformations in Private Law: Culture, Climate, and 
Technology’ headed by Dr. Mareike Schmidt, LL.M. (Tsinghua, China) for  

Doctoral Students (m/f/d) with a project on Cultural Embeddedness of Private Law

Background and objectives 
The ‘Law & Anthropology’ Department offers a stimulating interdisciplinary forum where both an-
thropologists and legal scholars can engage with one another and conduct cutting -edge, policy-
relevant research linked to the intensification of exchanges and encounters among and between 
legal systems, countries and communities in today’s societies.  

The positions are assigned to the project “Cultural Embeddedness of the Law of Obligations” within 
our Max Planck Research Group “Transformations in Private Law: Culture, Climate, and Technology”. 
In this project, the group seeks to understand the cultural embeddedness of legal processes in the 
law of obligations (primarily contracts and torts) and how legal professionals deal with their own 
and others’ cultural conceptions of normality. Its ultimate goal is to contribute to the improvement 
of legal doctrine and practice regarding the inclusive application of private law in culturally diverse 
societies. The purpose of the proposed projects is to broaden the scope of the group ’s research 
beyond German domestic law to include other jurisdictions and thus add a component of compar-
ative law. The dissertations are meant to theoretically and empirically explore the relevance and 
handling of cultural and religious diversity in core private law in the court practice of the respective 
jurisdictions. Proposals may concern any jurisdiction provided that its suitability is carefully justified 
and its official language(s) include(s) Dutch, English, French, German, or Spanish. Preference will be 
given to proposals regarding Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa, the UK, or the USA, based on 
these jurisdictions’ specific experience in related fields. For more information on the group and the 
specific project, visit the group’s website. 

Within the framework of their individual dissertation projects, successful candidates will be ex-
pected to contribute to the ‘Law & Anthropology’ Department’s project ‘Cultural and Religious Diver-
sity under State Law across Europe’ (CUREDI). This will give them the additional benefit of being 
involved in an international, comparative, and interdisciplinary research network.

Your Profile 
The candidate should have: 
- an academic degree in law (master’s or equivalent) in hand at the time of taking up the position, 
ideally with distinction;  
₋ a particular interest in law of obligations as well as in law & diversity issues; 
₋ willingness to conduct empirical research (e.g. interviews) and to familiarize with the necessary 
methods as well as socio-legal theory; 
₋ excellent written and spoken English language skills; evidence of proficiency in the languages 
relevant for the research;excellent social and communication skills. Speaking German is an asset 
but not a prerequisite for the position.

Speaking German is an asset but not a prerequisite for the position.

Our Offer 
Early career researchers will benefit from forming part of the research group’s major project, which 
guarantees them both close supervision and mentoring as well as intensive exchange and collabo-
ration with the other group members. Beyond that, successful candidates will benefit from integra-
tion into the Institute’s International Max Planck Research School 'Global Multiplicity' and the Max 
Planck Society’s Max Planck Law Network. 

The positions are available from the earliest possible starting date. They are awarded for three years, with the possibility of an extension up to 12 months (pending a positive evaluation). Remuneration is based on 65% of salary group 13, level 1, in reference to the TVöD. The workplace is Halle (Saale) (Germany), a dynamic, green, and historic city in central Germany that is home to numerous renowned universities and scientific institutions. We are committed to ensuring a positive work-life balance and offer flexible work options as well as generous opportunities for personal and professional development. We also offer a subsidy for the job ticket, a company health management scheme and childcare services in cooperation with local day-care centres. 

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. The Max Planck 
Society also strives to ensure gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society 
seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and there-
fore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Contact 
Please submit your application electronically by 30 November 2024 following the link for vacancies 
on our homepage (under ‘Career’), or by going directly to the online application form using the link 
below.  

Applicants are asked to submit the following materials 
₋ a cover letter (max. one page), including an explanation as to how your interests and profile 
match the project goals and selection criteria; 
₋ CV (including a list of publications, if applicable); 
₋ a one- to three-page description of your research interests or ideas for a dissertation project 
in line with the research group’s work on cultural embeddedness of the law of obligations; 
₋ a writing sample, e.g., your master’s thesis, a seminar paper, a first-authored journal article, 
etc.; 
₋ copies of university degrees.

If you have questions regarding the application procedure, please contact:

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology  
Personnel Administration  
Carolin Klevenow (klevenow@eth.mpg.de)  

Questions regarding the research project and group can be addressed directly to Dr. Mareike 
Schmidt (mschmidt@eth.mpg.de).

Interviews with shortlisted candidates are currently planned to take place around the middle of De-
cember.

We look forward to receiving your completed online application under:  
https://recruitingapp-5034.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/506/Application/New/2

Further information on the research agenda of the Max Planck Institute is available on our web-
site: https://www.eth.mpg.de