Director (Nominations and Self-Nominations) | Comparative Public Law and International Law

Max Planck Society and the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law (MPIL) in Heidelberg invite nominations, including self-nominations, for a Director who will lead a research department at the Institute and contribute to the Institute’s mission.

The MPIL is looking for a highly creative and visionary Director who will complement, enrich and further develop the research agenda and profile of the MPIL in a spirit of collaboration.

The candidate (m/f/d) should have a strong record of innovative research in the research fields of the Institute (public international law, EU law, comparative public law). In light of the current profiles of the directors, the Institute would particularly welcome (self-)nominations of candidates who focus on (i) EU law, (ii) comparative constitutional law or (iii) fields of public international law which are currently not among the main topics studied at the Institute (such as international economic law, law of the sea, climate change law, migration law). All candidates should have a strong interest in questions pertaining to the general development of public international law alongside their specific research interests.

Max Planck directors should have a demonstrated ability to devise a long‑term strategy for outstanding research, and the potential to make substantial contributions to both their own institute and to develop collaborations within and beyond the Max Planck Society.

Management and leadership skills are required to successfully lead the Institute’s academic and non‑academic staff, who total over 150 persons.

The Institute was founded in 1924. Its current research focus is public international law, European Union law, and comparative constitutional law. In addition, the Institute hosts many visiting scholars from around the world who pursue their own research. The Institute also advises national, European and international institutions. The MPIL is currently co‑directed by Helmut Aust, Armin von Bogdandy and Anne Peters, with Armin von Bogdandy retiring from his position in late 2029. It is envisaged to appoint a new Director by the end of 2029.

The incoming Director will benefit from a permanent research budget to finance a team of around 6 to 8 doctoral researchers as well as 5 postdoctoral researchers. They will also enjoy one of the world’s leading libraries in public international law, comparative law and EU law; outstanding infrastructure for hosting academic events regularly, and vibrant intellectual exchange with colleagues at the Institute as well as visiting researchers from all over the world.

The MPIL is part of theMax Planck Society(MPG), an independent German nongovernmental association dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. The Max Planck Society, an equal opportunities employer, is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. The Max Planck Society especially aims at increasing the number of women as directors at its institutes and at eliminating discrimination based on gender. We therefore welcome nominations of individuals from groups that are otherwise underrepresented in leadership positions in the Max Planck Society and its Institutes. We particularly encourage nominations of women. In case of equal qualification, women will receive preferential consideration, unless legally relevant interests based on the personal circumstances of the latter prevail.

This call is part of a scouting procedure. As a result of this call, a selection of nominated candidates may be invited by the search committee for an interview and for a visit to the Institute in due time.

All nominations will be treated with the strictest confidence. Nominations before midnight (CET) 15th November 2026 will be considered.