Erasmus School of Law is willing to host ambitious PhD researchers who want to conduct excellent research in the field of Law or Criminology. As a PhD researcher, you will join a law school ranked in the top 50 of the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings of global law schools, which is committed to promoting excellent international and interdisciplinary research with a high positive societal impact.

This is an open application round, in which candidates are selected on the basis of their professional qualification, the letter of motivation, the quality of their own research proposal, and the extent to which the research proposal fits within the research profile of ESL. See below for the specific requirements regarding the application procedure.

EGSL will organize two rounds every year, deadline 1 July for a start in September/October, deadline 1 November for a start in January/February.

• You have a master’s degree in Law or Criminology. Current master students Current master students who will graduate before the preferable start date, are welcome to apply. Bear in mind that proof of a master’s degree is a formal requirement for admission.  For some research projects an exemption is possible, and a master’s degree in another discipline relevant for your research project is also eligible: please elaborate on that in your motivation letter. It is up to the prospective supervisors to determine whether you will have a sufficient (legal) knowledge for this PhD project.
• You can demonstrate relevant scientific research skills.
• You have excellent oral and written skills in English (see minimum requirements in application format).
• You must have obtained a scholarship already, with a minimum amount of monthly 1,350 euros.
• You are willing to relocate to the Netherlands.
• There is no fee required.

Erasmus Graduate School of Law (EGSL) provides a warm and inspiring research environment where in which active participation, critical reflection, an interdisciplinary approach to Law or Criminology, the exchange of ideas and sharing experiences amongst all researchers play a crucial role.

EGSL offers a sound educational programme aimed at facilitating PhD researchers in writing a good doctoral thesis. Next to that, EGSL provides good guidance and monitoring. PhD researchers are included in the Erasmus School of Law research community at different levels: by maintaining close contacts with fellow PhD researchers, their supervisors, the entire academic staff and researchers from other disciplines at Erasmus School of Law. During the whole PhD-trajectory, each researcher will be monitored by his or her own doctoral committee. This doctoral committee will monitor the progress of the doctoral thesis.

More information about Erasmus University Rotterdam, Erasmus School of Law and Erasmus Graduate School of Law can be found on the websites.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) 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 is an international oriented faculty with its heart and soul rooted in Rotterdam. Our faculty is a breeding ground for academic talent in the field of (Tax) Law and Criminology. We aim to be a partner of legal practice, government, business, science and art. Erasmus School of Law facilitates education and research at an outstanding level. A key aspect of Erasmus School of Law is that research groups work across the boundaries of legal disciplines, applying modern tools of social science research, such as empirical and experimental methods.