in the research group of Professor Dr. Holger Fleischer, full-time or part-time, on a fixed-term basis.
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law is one of the world's leading institutions for comparative legal research in the fields of foreign and international private law. To this end, we examine the legal systems of the world, compare them with one another and develop solutions for the law of tomorrow. Our institute library is the largest specialised library in Europe and attracts around 500 guests from more than 50 countries to Hamburg every year to conduct research. The daily work of our 155 academic and non-academic staff is characterised by internationality and academic curiosity.
The Institute is advertising two positions to be filled at the earliest possible date as
Postdoctoral Researcher / Habilitation Candidate (m/f/d)
Your tasks:
As a postdoctoral researcher or habilitation candidate in Prof. Dr. Fleischer's research group, you will conduct research in the field of commercial, corporate and capital market law. Within the research group and beyond, you will exchange ideas on your research topic with other young researchers and receive direct supervision from Prof. Dr. Fleischer. In addition to working on your own research project, you will be involved in international research groups and collaborate on the institute's own and international research projects. Further details on the position as postdoctoral researcher can be found here.
Your Profile:
- Excellent results in the First and Second German State Examinations in Law (or equivalent qualifications),
- an outstanding doctoral degree in law,
- academic interest in comparative, interdisciplinary, and theoretical questions within the fields covered by the research group,
- excellent academic-level proficiency in German and fluency in at least one additional language,
- interdisciplinary curiosity, an independent approach to work, enjoyment of working in a larger team, and
- the ability to supervise doctoral candidates and student assistants.
Our offer:
- Access to the largest specialised library in Europe, which has one of the most extensive collections on private law worldwide, and to a comprehensive range of German and foreign case law and literature databases,
- an excellently equipped workplace and comprehensive administrative and academic support,
- academic work at the highest level in an international research environment,
- generous opportunities for professional and personal development,
- flexible working arrangements, including options for mobile work, and support for reconciling family and career,
- transparent remuneration in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD Bund), including extensive social benefits and a subsidy for the Deutschlandticket (HVV Jobticket).
The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply.
The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more people with severe disabilities. Applications from people with severe disabilities are expressly welcome.
Have we sparked your interest? Please apply by 5 October 2025 with your complete and informative application documents:
- cover letter, CV,
- description of the research project (max. 2 pages),
- list of publications and, if applicable, other lists of courses and lectures,
- certificates: school and university degrees, employment references if applicable,
- a representative publication of approx. 20 printed pages (journal article or a book chapter)
exclusively via our online application portal.
We look forward to getting to know you.
Max Planck Institute for Comparative
and International Private Law
Mittelweg 187
20148 Hamburg
