The Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Social Law and Social Policy invites nominations, including self-nominations, for a Director, who is expected to lead a research department at the Institute. The future Director’s unique, innovative and long-term research program should focus on social policy in a broad sense from a social science perspective (economics, sociology, political science).

Research at the MPI for Social Law and Social Policy focuses on questions related to social policies in an international and comparative perspective and on the enormous present challenges to the welfare state. The Institute is in the process of reinforcing its cooperation with the MPI for Tax Law and Public Finance and of creating the ‘Max Planck Hub Fiscal and Social State’. Both Institutes deal with transfer systems that not only face similar challenges today but affect our social order as a whole. This raises questions of theoretical, empirical and normative relevance which we would like to address jointly. The new Director should be open to an interdisciplinary exchange within our Institute and within the Hub.

Max Planck Directors should have a record of excellent research and successful leadership, the ability to devise a long-term visionary strategy for their research, and the potential to make a substantial contribution to their Institute’s mission. They are also expected to develop collaborations with other institutes within the Max Planck Society as well as other globally leading research organizations. 

The Institute is located in Munich, Germany, and has close collaborative links with the Universities in Munich. It is part of the Max Planck Society, an independent non-governmental association dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. 

The Max Planck Society, an equal opportunities employer, is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment and is particularly committed to increasing the number of women among its scientific leadership. Therefore, we strongly encourage nominations of qualified women.

Nominations, including self-nominations, should be sent to: nominations@mpisoc.mpg.de. A nomination should include: 

− the candidate’s name and current affiliation;

− a brief motivational statement (200 words max.) specifying the reasons for nomination.

Note that this call is part of the Institute’s scouting procedure; its purpose is to inform the Institute about possible candidates. A formal appointment procedure will follow. As a result of this call, a selection of (self-)nominated candidates may be invited for a visit to the Institute.