The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law is inviting applications for several research positions in law, including postdoctoral positions and a PhD position in Law and Artificial Intelligence.
The opportunities may be particularly relevant for early-career researchers working in areas such as public law, legal theory, legal philosophy, socio-legal research, public security law, fundamental rights and law and AI.
Postdoctoral Positions in Law
The Institute is recruiting for several postdoctoral positions (f/m/div). The positions provide an opportunity for researchers to continue their academic work in areas connected with the Institute’s research activities.
The positions may be of particular interest to researchers working on public security law, fundamental aspects of public law, legal philosophy, legal theory and related socio-legal questions.
The positions also include the possibility of pursuing a postdoctoral lecturing qualification, or habilitation, making the opportunity relevant for researchers planning an academic career.
The application deadline for the postdoctoral positions is 30 November 2026.
PhD Position in Law and AI
The Institute is also offering a PhD position in Law and AI as part of the Max Planck AI Network.
The doctoral position will be under the supervision of Professor Ralf Poscher, whose research is associated with public law. The position focuses on the relationship between law and artificial intelligence, making it particularly relevant for researchers interested in emerging legal and regulatory questions surrounding AI.
Law and AI is an increasingly important area of legal research, covering questions relating to regulation, fundamental rights, public law, governance and the impact of artificial intelligence on legal systems.
The application deadline for the PhD position is 31 October 2026.
Who Should Consider These Opportunities?
These positions may be relevant for law graduates, PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers and early-career legal scholars whose research interests match the advertised areas.
Researchers working in public law, legal theory, legal philosophy, security law, socio-legal studies and law and technology can explore the positions and assess whether their academic profile and research proposal fit the requirements.
Candidates interested in an academic career may also find the opportunities relevant because the postdoctoral positions include the possibility of pursuing a habilitation.
Important Deadlines
Applicants should carefully note the separate deadlines for the two opportunities.
The deadline for the PhD position in Law and AI is 31 October 2026, while applications for the postdoctoral positions must be submitted by 30 November 2026.
Candidates should review the official vacancy descriptions for detailed information about eligibility, research requirements, documents and the application procedure before submitting an application.
Application Details
Institution: Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law
Positions: Postdoctoral Positions in Law and PhD Position in Law and AI
Research Areas: Public Law, Public Security Law, Legal Theory, Legal Philosophy, Socio-Legal Research, Law and Artificial Intelligence
PhD Deadline: 31 October 2026
Postdoctoral Deadline: 30 November 2026
PhD Research Area: Law and AI, under Professor Ralf Poscher, as part of the Max Planck AI Network
Interested researchers should check the respective official vacancy pages and apply before the relevant deadline.
Postdoctoral positions: https://lnkd.in/d2v_iuav
PhD position in Law and AI: https://lnkd.in/dZkRZUgt
