Paid Postdoc Positions incl. Habilitation at Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany (TVöD Bund Pay Category 13)

The Department of Public Law at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany (Director: Prof. Dr. Ralf Poscher) is seeking to recruit several Postdocs (f/m/div), including the possibility to earn the post-doctoral lecturing qualification (habilitation), at the earliest possible starting date.

The Institute is a leading European centre for research in public security matters, criminal law, criminology and fundamental legal research, and is part of the Max Planck Society. Its three departments (Public Law, Criminal Law, Criminology) carry out comparative, international and interdisciplinary research. The Department of Public Law's research agenda addresses the preventive aspects of security-related matters, including internationalization, digitization and fragmentation and the normative challenges of danger prevention for fundamental rights, the rule of law and democratic principles.

• Research interests in public security law, fundamental aspects of public law, or legal philosophy and legal theory.
• Your research interest or specific research project (description limited to three pages) should align with the department's research program.
• A doctorate with excellent results in law, in related humanities, or in the social sciences.
• The PhD dissertation, in English or German, must have been awarded summa cum laude or the highest grade in another grading system.
• Candidates with a state examination in law could pursue a habilitation if they meet the necessary requirements.
• Speaking German is an asset but not a prerequisite.
• The advert particularly welcomes applications from persons with backgrounds so far underrepresented in science and research, including with regard to nationality, and expressly encourages women to apply.

• A fully funded research position with no teaching obligations (support to gain teaching experience is available if you are interested).
• Remuneration and social benefits based on the German Civil Service Collective Agreement (TVöD Bund), pay category 13, entry level depending on prior experience. The salary includes all mandatory social insurance contributions for health care, long-term care, unemployment and retirement.
• Initial fixed-term appointment for two or three years, with the possibility of extension in accordance with the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (WissZeitVG).
• Place of employment: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Flexible working arrangements, including remote work, can be offered.
• Free in-house German language courses, daycare spots at a nearby childcare facility, and opportunities for personal and career development.

Postdocs are given ample time to develop their own research projects, publish their own work and advance their academic careers, with a reasonable amount of participation in the research, publications and academic activities of the Department of Public Law expected. The Institute offers a specialised library (approximately 517,000 volumes, 900 print journals, 100,000 electronic books and journals), access to German and foreign case law and literature databases, and opportunities to take part in workshops, seminars and conferences, including through the Max Planck Law network.

The application may be written in English or German and must contain:

• Cover letter including your research interests and relevant work experience.
• Research proposal (max. three pages).
• Detailed CV.
• List of publications.
• Copy of the doctoral dissertation.
• Additional publications (max. 2), if relevant to the application.
• Transcripts of your academic achievements at university and, where applicable, work certificates.
• Names and contact details of at least two (former or current) professional supervisors who have agreed to provide a reference.

Apply through the Institute's online application portal using the 'I would like to apply' button on the job advertisement, by the closing date of 30 November 2026. The advert does not mention any application fee.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews with shortlisted candidates are currently planned for the first half of December 2026, but in individual cases interviews may be scheduled earlier if complete application documents are available.