Description: Research at the Max Planck Institute in Halle/Saale should fall within the fields of legal anthropology and conflict studies in the broadest sense of these terms. These doctoral positions are granted in the context of the interdisciplinary programme of the new ‘Max Planck Research School on Retaliation, Mediation, Punishment (IMPRS-REMEP)’. The research program aims to attract researchers educated in social anthropology (in particular, legal anthropology and conflict studies).The focus of analysis should be conflict and conflict settlement procedures (retaliation, mediation, punishment) in plural legal contexts and should also include strategies for inclusion and exclusion in conflict situations. Of special interest are configurations of various juridical repertoires, such as local or customary law, state law, religious law, or transnational norms for conflict management, including actors’ abilities to manoeuvre within or among these repertoires (e.g. forum shopping). Of equal importance are issues pertaining to the social construction of conflict parties and their identity patterns. This research programme encompasses dispute management within or between various groups or institutions at various levels of social organisation: in semi-autonomous social fields such as kinship groups and local groups; within or between ethnic or religious communities, both within or across national borders; between states; or in transnational settings. Potential research topics range from conflict resolution in acephalous societies to conflict management procedures in (post) conflict societies (retaliation, punishment, compensation, reconciliation), for example, in the form of transitional or restorative justice or reconciliation processes. The interaction of global, local and translocal processes may thus acquire special analytical importance. Applicants are expected to develop their research questions independently, and to specify those in their proposal. Proposals with a comparative perspective and/or an inter-disciplinary approach will be considered with priority. It is expected that anthropological projects include a field research of approximately one year.
Requirements
1. Completion of a university degree in social anthropology at a German university or completion at an equivalent university abroad.
2. Alternatively to (1), completion of regular university studies in a social sciences’ discipline as major subject, a second major subject, or two additional minor subjects, with an overall duration of at least 4 years at a German university, or completion of an equivalent programme at an equivalent university abroad. Master degree or equivalent degree from abroad. In exceptional cases with a background in sociology of law and interest in social anthropology empirical research, completion of a law degree at a German university or completion at an equivalent university abroad. First or Second German State Law Exam with a minimum overall grade of “vollbefriedigend” (according to the examination regulations “JAPrO” of the State of Baden-Württemberg), or an equivalent degree with an equiva¬lent grade (“with distinction”) from abroad.
3. Submission of a substantive proposal for a dissertation topic linked to the research agenda of the IMPRS-REMEP.
4. Solid proficiency in the English language. In addition, students should have at least some basic knowledge of German language and demonstrate willingness to improve it.
1. Completion of a university degree in social anthropology at a German university or completion at an equivalent university abroad.
2. Alternatively to (1), completion of regular university studies in a social sciences’ discipline as major subject, a second major subject, or two additional minor subjects, with an overall duration of at least 4 years at a German university, or completion of an equivalent programme at an equivalent university abroad. Master degree or equivalent degree from abroad. In exceptional cases with a background in sociology of law and interest in social anthropology empirical research, completion of a law degree at a German university or completion at an equivalent university abroad. First or Second German State Law Exam with a minimum overall grade of “vollbefriedigend” (according to the examination regulations “JAPrO” of the State of Baden-Württemberg), or an equivalent degree with an equiva¬lent grade (“with distinction”) from abroad.
3. Submission of a substantive proposal for a dissertation topic linked to the research agenda of the IMPRS-REMEP.
4. Solid proficiency in the English language. In addition, students should have at least some basic knowledge of German language and demonstrate willingness to improve it.
Deadline: 31 January 2011
