Apply for the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology – Dissertation Writing-up Fellowships 2026

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology – Dissertation Writing-up Fellowships

The Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, located in Halle (Saale), Germany, is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of social anthropology. Renowned for its commitment to the comparative analysis of social change, the Institute fosters theoretical innovation and practical relevance across its diverse research programmes.

The Law & Anthropology Department at the Institute serves as an interdisciplinary forum where anthropologists and legal scholars collaborate to produce cutting-edge, policy-relevant research. In response to the intensifying interconnection of legal systems and the evolving legal pluralism across societies—particularly within Europe—the Department emphasizes research that bridges empirical ethnographic insight with normative legal thinking. The Department welcomes proposals that speak directly to this challenge, especially in the increasingly complex European context.

Call for Applications: Dissertation Writing-up Fellowships

The Law & Anthropology Department is currently offering Dissertation Writing-up Fellowships for doctoral candidates nearing the completion of their PhD programmes. These short-term fellowships aim to provide a focused environment for finalizing dissertation manuscripts while taking full advantage of the intellectual and institutional resources available at the Max Planck Institute.

Fellowship Overview

Purpose:
The fellowships are designed to support doctoral candidates in the final stages of their dissertation work, particularly those whose research aligns closely with the Law & Anthropology Department’s thematic priorities. Successful candidates will be invited to spend up to four months at the Institute, either in the spring or fall of 2026, to complete their writing.

Research Alignment:
Applicants must demonstrate that their research topic is of immediate relevance to the Department’s research agenda. (See the Institute’s 2020–2022 report and highlights for reference.) While the Department is interdisciplinary, preference will be given to PhD candidates in anthropology for this call.

Fellowship Expectations:

• Active participation in Department seminars and academic activities.
• Submission of a working paper during the fellowship that reflects the core findings of the dissertation.
• Delivery of a presentation based on the doctoral research within the Department’s seminar series.
• Pre-fellowship coordination between the Department Director and the candidate’s PhD supervisor to ensure mutual benefit and institutional collaboration.

Fellowship Conditions and Support

• Duration: Up to 4 months.
• Start Date: Spring or Fall 2026.
• Financial Support: Fellows will receive a monthly living stipend. This stipend is tax-free and exempt from social security contributions.
• Location: On-site at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Halle (Saale), Germany.

The Max Planck Society is committed to gender equality and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds to promote diversity and inclusion within its academic community.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme and in the final stages of dissertation writing.
• The research topic must be closely aligned with the Law & Anthropology Department’s themes.
• A recommendation from the principal supervisor is required, confirming that the candidate is on track to complete the dissertation within the funded period.

Application Materials:
Applicants are asked to submit the following:

1. Cover Letter detailing interest and relevance to the Department.
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
3. Writing Sample – ideally a chapter from the PhD dissertation.
4. 1–2 Page Summary of the dissertation project.
5. Copies of Academic Degrees and Transcripts.
6. Letter of Recommendation from the PhD supervisor, sent directly to:
   [email protected]

Application Deadline

All materials must be submitted electronically by 15 September 2025.
Applications should be submitted via the Institute’s career portal under ‘Vacancies’ or directly via the online application form:

Online Application – Law & Anthropology Department

Contact Information

For questions regarding the application process, please contact:

Carolin Klevenow
Human Resources Management
[email protected]

This fellowship presents an exceptional opportunity for emerging scholars to engage with a world-class research community and bring their dissertation work to completion in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.