The PhD projects are initiated by CLECS, Centre for the Law and Economics of Cyber Security, in collaboration with Ahold Delhaize and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The PhD researchers will be employed at Erasmus School of Law and will be part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Law. Next to that, the PhD projects  will be embedded in the LDE (strategic alliance Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam), more specific the LDE Cyber Security programme. This strategic alliance brings together the expertise of the three partners in a new cyber security program, which focuses on multidisciplinary research and education and partnerships with governments, businesses and knowledge institutions in Zuid-Holland.

We advertise for the following three 3 PhD projects:

1.  Stimulation of cyber security information diffusion on a sector level, with Ahold Delhaize. This research project focuses on cyber security in the context of the dynamic business environment of Ahold Delhaize. The subject of the research is the increasing stimulation of cyber security information diffusion on a sector level. The goal in that respect is to increase the understanding of how the sector currently transforms information to all the actors along the supply chain (including subcontractors) to attain an optimal level of cyber security, taking into account the market dynamics in a multidisciplinary setting.  

2. Optimal cyber security at the system level, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management  
This research project is part of a collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. It focuses on fostering optimal cyber security at the system level and on the study of (the removal of) barriers that ensure that optimal cyber security is not yet achieved in the system as a whole. The focus of the PhD research is on the sectors covered by the following policy DGs: Aviation and Maritime Affairs, Mobility, Water and Soil and Environment and International

3. Theoretical and empirical framework of the law and economics of cyber security, in close cooperation with Ahold Delhaize, the Ministry of infrastructure and Water Management and LDE
 The third project will be in close cooperation with the two PhD projects together with Ahold Delhaize/The Ministry of Infrastructure and LDE universities respectively and will further build upon the theoretical and empirical framework of the law and economics of cyber security. Hence the project description of the projects of together with Ahold-Delhaize and the Ministry of Infrastructure give a good indication of the starting point of the PhD research. Also, the role and responsibility of public and private actors will be taken into account.  

The exact focus of these projects will be determined by the PhD researchers in cooperation with the supervisors. More information about the specific projects: see EGSL website.

During these PhD trajectories, you will specialize in the law and economics in cyber security. Within this field there is a big shortage on personnel with the ability to translate academic knowledge to practical solutions. Hence, the skills you will gain when working together with the Erasmus University, Ahold Delhaize, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the LDE programmeCyber Security will put you in pole position for a fruitful career in the very relevant and timely topic of cyber security.

We are looking for candidates who:

· hold a Master degree in Law, Criminology or other discipline relevant for the PhD position. A background in Law & Economics would be an added advantage;

· can demonstrate relevant scientific research skills, proven, for example, by academic publications or by the quality of your master thesis;

· can demonstrate affinity with/has preferably knowledge of law and economics, behavioural science, and/or (technical) governance questions related to cyber security;

· have ambition, energy, and flexibility;

· have the ability to produce work of excellent quality;

· have excellent oral and written skills in English (requirements: see application format). For project 2, excellent oral and written skills in Dutch are also required.

Current master students, who will finish their master before the intended start date, are welcome to apply. Bear in mind that proof of a master’s degree is a formal requirement for employment.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months - 4 years.

The positions are for 4 years, starting (in principle) 1 April or 1 May 2022. The PhD researchers will be part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Law. The position starts with a temporary employment contract for 18 months. This probationary period consists of an educational programme and individual research and entails an evaluation of the progress of the research after one year. In case of a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended. In the remaining 30-month period PhD researchers focus on their research and the completion of their thesis. In both phases structured guidance is provided by the thesis supervisors and a doctorate committee composed of senior researchers and one of the PhD coordinators of Erasmus Graduate School of Law.

We offer an attractive position with good terms of employment in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
The monthly salary is € 2,443 gross for a fulltime position of 38 hours a week during the first year (CAO NU scale doctoral candidate), which will increase annually up to € 3,122 gross per month in the fourth year.   

The attractive benefits package includes an end of year bonus of 8.3%, holiday allowance of 8%, extensive leave facilities for a healthy work/life balance, a good pension fund and an excellent collective insurance package. Staff are also entitled to use various facilities, such as sport facilities and library.

Since April 2018, Erasmus University Rotterdam has offered a Dual Career Programme to partners and spouses of new international employees. This programme is executed in close cooperation with Leiden University and TU Delft and aims to help partners and spouses find a job on the Dutch labour market. See www.eur.nl/en/working/international-staff-eur/family/work-partners.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam is an internationally oriented university with a pronounced social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work to solve global and social challenges, inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Our academic education is intensive, active, and applied. Our research is increasingly taking place in multidisciplinary teams, which are highly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and study quality, Erasmus University Rotterdam is highly ranked and can compete with leading European universities. Important values for Erasmus University Rotterdam are being daring, curious, socially involved, deliberate and aspiring to success.

Erasmus School of Law

Erasmus School of Law employs 500 members of staff and is attended by around 5000 students. Erasmus School of Law offer bachelor programmes in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with a focus on active academic learning. Students can subsequently choose from a wide variety of master programmes. Erasmus School of Law also collaborates in Double Degree programmes combining law and (business) economics or law and business administration and is one of the founders of the European Master in Law & Economics. Once students have completed their master’s degree, they may choose from several postgraduate tracks provided by Erasmus School of Law (in collaboration with Erasmus Academy and others).

The fundamental premise underlying academic research conducted at Erasmus School of Law is that law cannot be considered in splendid isolation or as an end in itself. It is embedded in an economic and social context that shapes law. At the same time, law itself shapes society and defines economic relationships. In line with this vision, our mission is to conduct innovative research on the function of law in its economic and social context. This research has a strong social and business-driven orientation. Erasmus School of Law is committed to promoting international and interdisciplinary research.