About the Position
The Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory (MPI-LHLT) in Frankfurt/Main invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow working within the Centre for Legal History in India (CLHI) under the direction of Dr Reeju Ray, in collaboration with Professor Stefan Vogenauer. This five-year, fully funded position offers a unique opportunity to develop an independent project in Legal History in India, covering colonial or precolonial doctrines, law and society, constitutional development, diplomatic history, or international legal history. The role supports interdisciplinary research, provides access to world-leading library collections, and encourages collaboration with doctoral scholars and international researchers. This post is ideal for early-career scholars committed to advancing global legal history through innovative methodologies, archival research, comparative perspectives, and cross-regional research networks.
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Position/Job Details
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Institution: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
- Department: European and Comparative Legal History
- Research Field: Legal History in India
- Location: Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- Number of Posts: One
- Job Type: Full-time or Part-time, Fixed-term (5 years, renewable)
- Start Date (Anticipated): April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
- Working Hours: 39 hours per week (full-time)
- Salary Range: €60,000–€89,500 annually (TVöD E13 band 1–6)
- Required Degree/Diploma: Doctorate
Research Area
- Legal History in India
- Colonial and precolonial legal doctrines
- Law and society
- Constitutional history
- Diplomatic and international legal history
Eligibility & Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Outstanding doctoral thesis or equivalent publications in law, humanities, or social sciences
- First class degree in a relevant discipline
- Full proficiency in English and at least one Indian language
Preferred Qualifications:
- Willingness to learn German
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Strong interdisciplinary orientation
- Excellent communication skills
- Proven capacity for high-level international research
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and pursue an independent research project in Legal History in India
- Publish high-quality research outputs
- Contribute to departmental academic activities
- Provide guidance to doctoral researchers
- Participate in conferences, workshops, and institutional events
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit your complete application as a single PDF file via the online application portal on the institute’s official website.
Required Documents:
- Names and contact details of three referees
- Detailed CV
- List of publications
- Research proposal (up to 10 pages)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Two publications (approx. 20 pages each)
Referees must send their references directly to jobs@lhlt.mpg.de by the deadline.
Important Dates
- Application Opens: Already open
- Deadline: 6 January 2026
- Interview Date: 3 February 2026 (online), with potential on-site interview later
Useful Links
- Institution Website: Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory
- Official Notification Link: click here
- Apply Now: click here
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