Postdoctoral Researchers

The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law offers outstanding and ambitious senior researchers and postdocs prime work and research conditions. Following the completion of their doctorate, they have the chance to enhance their qualifications and to become independent scientists in their own right.

Postdocs at our Institute who are embedded in one of our two research departments in legal science (Public Law and Criminal Law) are for the most part independent in carrying out their research projects under the guidance of the directors.

Postdocs in the Department of Criminology, which maintains a strong empirical and interdisciplinary focus, work in close cooperation in larger work and research teams on projects on crime and related issues. Ongoing exchanges in the form of meetings and collaboration in driving innovative and novel methods are everyday routine. In this department, (empirically working) criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, computer scientists, ethnologists, and behavioral economists engage in collaborative research.

Senior researchers and postdocs of all departments may benefit from intensive exchanges with the other scientists at the Institute. In addition, Max Planck Law, a network of more than ten Institutes engaged in legal research, provides excellent opportunities for interchanges with postdocs, doctoral candidates, and established scientists at the other Institutes. A wide range of science events takes place all year round. Postdocs may participate in a broad gamut of coaching opportunities (on hard and soft skills, including leadership competencies), organize workshops and conferences on their own, and discuss and present their research results at national and international levels. Our Institute actively embeds its scientists in each individual’s respective scientific community. Our postdocs publish their results in internationally recognized scientific journals.

Postdoc positions are typically limited to a period of three years, which may be extended for a maximum of another three years. There are no teaching responsibilities. Upon request, we will support you in your efforts to acquire adequate teaching experience. Postdocs are typically involved in supervising doctoral students.

Open positions for postdocs are published on our website as well as in online and print media.