Internship Programme

Why an internship at the Max Planck Institute (MPIL)?
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law is a leading institution in the fields of international law, comparative public law, and European law and represents one of the most vibrant intellectual communities on the European and global scene. Its directors as well as doctoral and postdoctoral researchers carry out top-notch research in all areas of public law, ranging from the use of force to global constitutionalism, from international human rights law to European constitutional law. Research might take the form of cooperative, multi-year projects involving many researchers, or individual theses and articles. In addition, every year the MPIL hosts numerous guests from many different countries, who significantly enrich the academic discourse and life of the Institute

What does the MPIL internship programme offer?

The MPIL internship programme offers the opportunity to get acquainted with research and academic legal skills in the major fields of comparative public, European, and international law to a limited number of highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students. It offers a stimulating and international working environment and the possibility of improving professional skills and networking capacities for future career paths.

How is the internship programme organized?

The Institute offers internships that can be taken on a voluntary basis, or as part of a degree requirement (including bar exam traineeships, e.g. Referendariat). In the latter case, it is entirely the responsibility of the intern to make sure that all requirements of the respective degree programmes are met.

**Reimbursement**: Interns enrolled in a degree programme at a university will normally be reimbursed € 450 per month.

**Important advice for law students at German universities**:
The Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law would like to point out that, according to the administrative practice of the State Judicial Examination Offices to date, internships at our Institute are not recognized as part of the First Law Examination. Our law school conducts legal research and does not offer any practical study time in the sense of the training regulations. For the legal situation in Baden-Württemberg, please refer to the relevant leaflet of the Landesjustizprüfungsamt.

The Max Planck Institute cannot assume any responsibility if the internship is not recognized by the responsible examination office, nor can it work towards recognition.

**Visa Issues**:
What are the interns' responsibilities and tasks?

Interns will be assigned to a MPIL research fellow who will be their tutor during the entirety of their stay. They will be involved in the tutor’s specific research projects as well as in the academic life of the Institute. At the beginning of the internship, the intern and the tutor will set up an education plan.

**Interns' tasks and responsibilities typically include**:

- Conducting research activities in the areas of international law, comparative public law and EU law;
- Assisting in the preparation of contributions to academic meetings of the Institute;
- Writing legal summaries (cases and texts);
- Participating in the organization of workshops and conferences;
- Carrying out specifically tailored research activities (independently or jointly with their tutor);
- Assisting in research projects carried out at the Institute.

Interns are encouraged to participate in the Institute’s activities and intellectual life, which include weekly research meetings as well as thematic discussion fora and international conferences.

Please note that interns are not student assistants (“studentische Hilfskräfte”). An internship is an educational experience.

The Internship programme is full-time (39.5 hrs per week).

To be eligible for this programme applicants must
- be among the top students of their degree programme, with demonstrated research and drafting skills
- be fluent in written and oral English (C1 Level); knowledge of other EU languages, and German in particular, will be an asset
- be computer literate

**Application**:
**Please send the following documents**:

- a copy of your high school diploma (e.g. Abitur with English translation; an unofficial translation will do)
- a copy of your academic transcripts (with an English translation including a brief explanation of the university grading system)

Max Planck Institute for

Comparative Public Law and International Law

Im Neuenheimer Feld 535

69120 Heidelberg