The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology is one of the world’s leading centres for research in social anthropology. Common to all research projects at the Max Planck Institute is the comparative analysis of social change; it is primarily in this domain that its researchers contribute to anthropological theory, though many programmes also have applied significance and political topicality.

The Department Law & Anthropology of our Institute offers positions for

Doctoral Researchers

Job description

The appointees will contribute to the development of the Department’s research issues relating to law and cultural diversity in a globalized world.

Background:
The Department of Law & Anthropology was established in March 2012. One of its aims is to offer a prominent platform where both lawyers (academics and practitioners) and anthropologists are involved in the study of diversity challenges in the contemporary era.

Research topics:
The Department will prioritize empirically informed research on (and analysis of) legal practice in the face of cultural diversity in Europe as well as globally: inter alia in the field of migration; minority rights; identity issues; human rights more broadly defined; property claims and their protections. This includes the study of the workings of institutions of social regulation in various settings.

Research method:
The application of legal anthropological insights (extensive empirical research/fieldwork) will be part of the research method. The researchers will receive, as needed, appropriate training in the research methods of legal anthropology.

Your profile

The positions are awarded on the basis of:
- An academic degree (master or equivalent) obtained at the latest by November 2013 and an outstanding academic background in law, social/cultural anthropology, or any other relevant discipline in the human sciences.
- The applicants are expected to submit evidence indicating serious interest in legal anthropology and/or comparative legal research.
- The applicants should be prepared to do empirical research; this can include familiarizing themselves with relevant legal practice.
- Very good command of written and spoken English.

Our offer

The positions are to begin at the very latest January 1, 2014. They are awarded for a period ranging between one to three years. Unless otherwise agreed, the workplace is Halle/ Saale (Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany). Successful candidates will be granted an employment contract (salary according to E 13/2 TVöD) or a stipend (basic amount 1365 EUR).

Applications should include:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae, including university degrees as well as a formal record of university courses and performance
- Two letters of recommendation by university professors or teachers who are well acquainted with the work of the applicant
- A succinct description (3 to 5 pages) of the thesis project which the applicant has in mind or is already working on
- list of academic publications, where available; or any other evidence of the research undertaken so far (e.g. a draft thesis chapter)

Please note that the Max Planck Institutes do not award doctoral degrees. Therefore doctoral students need to enrol in universities in or outside Germany. The choice of the university will be decided in agreement between the successful applicant and the Director of the Department of Law & Anthropology of the MPI.

The Max Planck Society wishes to increase the participation of women wherever they are underrepresented; therefore, applications from women are particularly welcome. Following its commitment to an equal opportunities employment policy, the Max Planck Society also especially encourages persons with a disability to submit their applications.

Applications should be submitted including all required documents by August 15, 2013. Interviews with shortlisted applicants will be held in September 2013.

For further information please contact Marie-Claire Foblets, Director, Department of Law & Anthropology, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, email: foblets@eth.mpg.de.

Contact

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology
Janka Diallo
jdiallo@eth.mpg.de

Have we awoken your interest?
We look forward to receiving your completed online application under:
http://www.eth.mpg.de/cms/de/vacancies/vacancies_external.html?url=/Vacancies/188/Application/New/2%3Flang=eng .

Further information on the research agenda of the Max Planck Institute is available on our website: http://www.eth.mpg.de