Nominations and Self-Nominations sought for the Position of Director at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, Heidelberg, Germany

Job Offer from January 15, 2024

The Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law  in Heidelberg invite nominations, including self-nominations, for a director who will lead a new, third research department.

The MPIL is looking for a highly creative and visionary director who will complement, enrich and further develop the research agenda and profile of the MPIL in a spirit of collaboration.
The candidate should have a strong record of innovative research in public law in its international, transnational, or comparative dimensions and emanations; EU law; or comparative law. His or her research should enhance understanding of the many and various processes of the internationalisation of law.

Max Planck directors should also have a demonstrated ability to devise a long-term strategy for outstanding research, and the potential to make substantial contributions to both their own institute and as well as develop collaborations within and beyond the Max Planck Society.

Management and leadership skills are required to successfully lead the Institute’s academic and non-academic staff, who total over 150 persons.

The Institute was founded in 1924. Its current research focus is public international law, European Union law, and comparative constitutional and administrative law. In addition, the Institute hosts many visiting scholars from around the world who pursue their own research. The Institute also advises national, European and international institutions. It currently has two departments, each led by a director, and shall be extended by a third one to complement the other two.

The incoming third director will benefit from a permanent research budget to finance a team of around 5 doctoral as well as 5 postdoctoral researchers. They will also enjoy one of the world’s leading libraries in public international law, comparative law and EU law; outstanding infrastructure for hosting academic events on a regular basis, and vibrant intellectual exchange with visiting researchers from all over the world.

The MPIL is part of the Max Planck Society (MPG), an independent German nongovernmental association dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The MPG, an equal opportunities employer, is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment, and is particularly committed to redressing systemic problems with diversity in scholarship. We therefore welcome nominations of individuals from minority groups and from groups that are otherwise underrepresented in leadership positions in the Max Planck Society.

Nominations, including self-nominations, should be sent to: [email protected] .

Both nominations and self-nominations should include: the candidate’s name and current affiliation as well as a brief statement (150 words max.) specifying why you have nominated the candidate or yourself.

This call is part of a scouting procedure. As a result of this call, a selection of nominated candidates may be invited by the search committee for an interview and for a visit to the Institute in due time.

All nominations will be treated in the strictest confidence. Nominations prior to midnight (CET) 31 March 2024 will be considered.