Erasmus School of Law is recruiting 2 ambitious PhD researchers on Cyber Security (M/F 1.0 FTE, duration: 4 years, starting between June-October 2022).

You will join CLECS, the Centre for the Law and Economics of Cyber Security. You will be employed at Erasmus School of Law and will be part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Law. Next to that, you will be joining 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.

During these PhD trajectories, you will specialize in the law and economics in cyber security. These projects are unique, in the sense that they focus on the interplay between law, economics and cybersecurity (no technical knowledge needed), are fully dedicated to research (no other obligations) and provide you with in depth knowledge of the academic, government and industry perspective on cybersecurity. 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 programme Cyber Security will put you in pole position for a fruitful career in the very relevant and timely topic of cyber security.

We advertise for the following two remaining PhD projects:

(Project 1, Stimulation of cyber security information diffusion on a sector level, with Ahold Delhaize has already been filled, you cannot apply for this position anymore).

Project 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. You will focus 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. You will focus on the sectors covered by the following policy DGs: Aviation and Maritime Affairs, Mobility, Water and Soil and Environment and International.

Project 3. The law and economics of cyber security, to create a stronger public discourse regarding efficient cyber security investments.
 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. You will study legal instruments to stimulate information diffusion in cybersecurity, such as data breach notification laws, cyberinsurance, a smart duty of care in contracts and cyber risk pooling. 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 you in cooperation with your supervisors. One of the supervisors will be Bernold Nieuwesteeg, Director of CLECS.

We are looking for candidates who:

·       hold a master’s degree in Law, Criminology, Economics 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 governance questions related to cyber security;

·       have ambition, energy, and flexibility;

·       have the ability to produce work of excellent quality;

·       is interested in doing research on the bridge between academia and society

·       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 up to 4 years.

The positions are for 4 years, starting between June-October 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 (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, social challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. The Erasmian values ​​function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded. www.eur.nl

Erasmus School of Law

Erasmus School of Law has over 5000 students and approximately 500 staff members. Erasmus School of Law offers Bachelor's degrees in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with the emphasis on active academic learning. For students who want more, there is the mr.drs. program, the double study of law and economics. After the master's degree Erasmus School of Law provides postgraduate education (in cooperation with Erasmus Academy and others).

Erasmus School of Law's basic premise is that law cannot be considered in complete isolation or as an end in itself. It is embedded in an economic and social context that helps shape law. At the same time, law influences society and defines economic relationships. In line with this vision, the mission of Erasmus School of Law is to conduct innovative research into the function of law in its economic and social context, and to have a strong link between research and teaching. In both research and teaching, Erasmus School of Law considers internationalization and multidisciplinary research a matter of course.