Doctoral scholarship holder the law of the European Union, with particular attention for the rule of law, mutual trust and the area of freedom, security and justice – Antwerp, Belgium

Let’s shape the future – University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow’s world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Faculty of Law is looking for a full-time doctoral scholarship holder in the field of the law of the European Union, with particular attention for the rule of law, mutual trust and the area of freedom, security and justice.

Position

• You work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis, written in English or in Dutch, on the topic of “Effective horizontal enforcement of the vertically imposed rule of law requirements in the European Union through the Member States’ judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters”. More specifically, you will investigate whether and how EU Member State courts, when they operate within the framework of European judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters, can effectively contribute to the enforcement of the rule of law standards under EU law, taking into account the requirement of mutual trust between the Member States.
• You publish scientific articles in the field of your doctoral research project and present your research finding at (inter)national conferences.
• You will carry out your research in the framework of the research group on Government and Law, in collaboration with the Department of Public Law and Governance of Tilburg Law School, under the supervision of professors Johan Meeusen and Mathieu Leloup.
• You carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Faculty of Law of the University of Antwerp and its research group on Government and Law .

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in law or you will have obtained it by the time you start working.
• You submit an English language research proposal for the research you will develop (see above). This proposal of maximum 5 pages includes the following headings: ‘state of the art’, ‘research objectives’, ‘methodology’ and ‘bibliography’. The proposal should allow you to successfully complete the PhD in 4 years.

The prior conditions are conditions of admissibility.

• You can demonstrate excellent study results, particularly in the field of the law of the European Union. You substantiate this with a detailed overview of your study results (see ‘Want to apply?’).
• You have a particular interest in scientific research in the field of the law of the European Union.
• You have excellent language skills that permit high-level academic research in the field of the law of the European Union. Apart from active and passive knowledge of English, you have at least a passive knowledge of French and preferably also of German. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• You have excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• You are able to plan and organise your own work well (taking priorities into account).
• You are self-reliant and stress-resistant.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are motivated to work actively on your further professional development.
• You act in conformity with the mission statement of the University of Antwerp.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship, funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed once for another two-year period.
• The planned starting date is 1 October 2024.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for contract research staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at the City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 15 April 2024, at 23:59 CET. Applications submitted after this deadline will be declared inadmissible. Click on the ‘Apply’ button, complete the online application form and be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • a detailed research proposal of maximum 5 pages  for the research you will be developing (see above)
  • a detailed overview of your study grades
  • your (academic) CV
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. The interviews of preselected candidates will take place, on campus or online, on Wednesday 8 May 2024.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Prof. Dr. Johan Meeusen or Prof. Dr. Mathieu Leloup.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.