Stefan Vogenauer

The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, is offering three fully funded PhD positions starting April 1, 2026, at the newly established Centre for Legal History in India. These positions are ideal for candidates with backgrounds in Law, History, Humanities, or Social Sciences who wish to develop and pursue independent research projects. Research topics include colonial and precolonial legal doctrines, law and society, constitutional history, and diplomatic and international legal history. The successful candidates will work under the supervision of Prof Stefan Vogenauer and Dr Reeju Ray, benefiting from excellent research infrastructure and generous funding for conferences, research trips, and German language training. The salary is approximately €3098 gross / €2108 net per month, with an annual special payment. The application deadline is January 6, 2026. For more information or to apply, contact Prof Stefan Vogenauer ([email protected]) or Dr Reeju Ray ([email protected]), or visit the official call link. This opportunity is particularly suited for those interested in legal history, constitutional evolution, and the intersection of law and society in India.

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.