About the Role
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law is one of the world’s leading institutions performing foundational comparative research in the fields of private law and private international law. By analysing the legal systems of the world and comparing them with one another, we identify emerging challenges and develop the law of tomorrow. Our library is Europe’s largest specialized library and annually attracts to Hamburg roughly 500 guest researchers from more than 50 countries. The daily work of our academic and non-academic staff, totally 155 individuals, is shaped by an international perspective and scholarly curiosity. For the earliest possible starting date, the institute is offering a position as a Doctoral candidate / Postdoc (m/f/d) to head the Centre of Expertise on Latin America Your tasks As head of the Centre of Expertise, you will research legal developments in selected Latin American jurisdictions. You will be responsible for initiating and organizing conferences – pursuing in particular trialogues in private international law (https://www.mpipriv.de/trialogues-in-pil) – and for helping to coordinate cooperative projects and exchange programs for early career researchers. Your country-specific expertise will be brought to bear in the institute\'s comparative projects, particularly through the preparation of expert opinions that assist German courts in the determination and application of foreign law. You will also advise the library in the acquisition of relevant literature and support researchers from various Latin American countries working at the institute. You will be given the opportunity to undertake and publish independent research in the Centre of Expertise’s areas of inquiry, and you will be supported by the institute on your career path. Your profile Your legal education and/or doctoral project has been evaluated with distinction. Now you would like to further your qualifications as a doctoral candidate or postdoc at an international research institute or you wish to author a Habilitation thesis. You have a marked academic interest in private international law, foreign legal systems, and comparative inquiry. You possess good Spanish and/or Portuguese language skills and have demonstrated a special interest in Latin American legal systems. Additionally, you are fluent in German and English (written and spoken form). Our offer We offer you the opportunity to further your professional qualifications in our renowned research facility. The institute is characterized by an exceptional academic and organizational infrastructure as well as a good work environment shaped by internationality and academic curiosity. The Max Planck Society strives to ensure a workplace that embraces gender equality and diversity. It has set the goal of employing more disabled individuals, and applications from such persons are expressly desired. Additionally, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore encourages women to apply. Have we roused your interest? Applications may be submitted for full or part-time employment. The position is for a fixed period. Salary and benefits will conform to the German civil service pay scale (TVöD Bund) in accord with the candidate’s qualifications. If you are interested, please submit your application by 29 March 2026. Your application must be made through our online portal and should include the following materials: Cover letter and resume; A description of your research interests, including, as appropriate, a planned research project (max. 2 pages); A list of your publications and, as appropriate, a list of all previous teaching activities and lectures; Your university (degree) credentials and, as appropriate, employment testimonials; A selected publication of approximately 20 pages (article or book chapter). Apply now Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law Mittelweg 187 20148 Hamburg www.mpipriv.de/