Fully Funded PhD in the History of European Union Employment Law at Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Germany

Call for applications for a fully funded PhD in the History of European Union Employment Law at the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in joint cooperation with Justus Liebig University Giessen.

The project is hosted within a leading international research environment and focuses on the history of EU employment law, with room for the doctoral researcher to develop an independent project within this theme. The work sits at the intersection of law, history, and the social sciences, and encourages comparative and interdisciplinary approaches.

Supervision is provided by Professors Thorsten Keiser and Stefan Vogenauer. The successful candidate will conduct independent doctoral research, publish academic work, and participate in the institute’s research activities. There is no mandatory teaching, though limited teaching is optional.

Funding includes a gross salary of €3,185.72 per month, a special annual payment, and a fixed-term appointment of three years with a possible one-year extension in exceptional circumstances. Additional support includes grants for research travel, archive/library visits, conference attendance, access to world-class library and databases, workspace, administrative support, and optional language-class funding. Flexible working is available, including up to 40% mobile work.

Eligibility highlights: a first-class or high upper second-class degree, preferably in law, or alternatively in humanities/social sciences; excellent English; willingness to learn German; French is desirable; strong academic record; ability to work independently; and interest in interdisciplinary research.

Application materials include a cover letter, research proposal (up to five pages), CV, publication list, transcripts and degree certificates, a writing sample of about 20 pages, and details of two referees. Applications must be submitted online by 1 June 2026, and referees must send their letters directly by email to the institute.