Law and Economics today pervades research in all fields of interest. The application of economic thought to legal analysis enables innovative solutions to problems of the law – be it the design of transnational legal relations, organizational statutes for states or corporations, the drafting of single private transactions or enforcement strategies.

EDLE presents a combination of course work and research. The curriculum is devised to provide advanced and challenging education both to lawyers and economists. Where applicable/possible candidates will be able to choose between basic and advanced courses depending on their educational background.

Each year a new group of 5-6 PhD students starts in the EDLE programme.

From the first day onwards the candidates start working on their thesis, based upon the research proposal on the basis of which they were admitted to the EDLE programme. The candidate is assigned a (provisional) supervisor who will help to identify (and in many cases narrow down) a suitable thesis topic.

EDLE is a programme with mandatory mobility. In the first semester, the students attend a number of mandatory courses at the University of Bologna. In the second semester the students move to Hamburg for the Summer School. During the second year the students stay in Rotterdam where apart from additional (mandatory) courses, the focus is on writing and presenting. After one and a half years the students will move to their home universities, depending on their field of specialization. Even though the EDLE programme is open for different types of research, including theoretical and conceptual, we also offer an Empirical Legal Studies track. This track prepares PhD candidates to be at least educated consumers of empirical work, but for those interested, it also provided the tools to conduct their own advanced empirical study.

Erasmus School of Law offers two PhD positions in the EDLE programme, starting August/September 2023.

Admission to the programme is open to applicants with a diploma or a bachelor and master degree in law or economics or a relevant field, or an equivalent university degree (second cycle qualification). 

EDLE is a structured programme in the economic analysis of law on a doctoral level. Therefore, a previous knowledge in the field of Law and Economics is required.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of their academic merit and their capability of carrying out high-level scientific research activities in the field of the economic analysis of law, and in compliance with the regulations. Good knowledge of English is a prerequisite.

Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the EDLE Preselection Committee.

Successful candidates will have to be

• Interdisciplinary in thinking
• eager to move, travel and live abroad during part of the PhD trajectory
• have a profound interest for scientific research in the specific field of Law and Economics
• flexible
• independent
• pro-active

An internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with good working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).

The start date of this position is August/September 2023 (to be agreed in mutual consultation) and you will be based at Erasmus School of Law in The Hague. The successful candidate will be offered a full-time, 18 months contract with Erasmus University Rotterdam. The contract can be extended with 30 months in case of a positive assessment.

Our PhD projects are fully funded and salaried positions, meaning that appointed PhD candidates are employees (promovendi) of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). Fixed, gross monthly salaries are € 2,443 in the first year, € 2,846 in the second year, € 2,979 in the third year, and € 3,122 in the fourth year.  In addition, EUR pays an 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year payment of 8.3% and offers excellent secondary benefits, like a very generous leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision and we offer partially paid parental leave. Employees can also use EUR facilities, such as the Erasmus sports center and the University library.

EUR offers a Dual Career Programme (DCP) to assist the life partners of new academic staff (on pay-roll) in finding employment in The Netherlands. The programme is offered in close cooperation with nearby universities of Delft and Leiden.

We value diversity and believe that a diversity of talents contributes to our vision and strategy to excel as a university on research and education. EUR is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities and nationalities.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research, as expressed in our mission ‘Creating positive societal impact’. EUR is home to 3.700 academics and professionals and almost 33.000 students from more than 140 countries. Everything we do, we do under the credo The Erasmian Way – Making Minds Matter. We’re global citizens, connecting, entrepreneurial, open-minded, and socially involved. These Erasmian Values function as our internal compass and create EUR’s distinctive and recognizable profile. From these values, with a broad perspective and with an eye for diversity, different backgrounds and opinions, our employees work closely together to solve societal challenges from the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Thanks to the high quality and positive societal impact of our research and education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. www.eur.nl.

Erasmus School of Law (ESL)

Erasmus School of Law (ESL) employs 500 members of staff and has around 6000 students. ESL offers 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. ESL 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. The overarching theme of Erasmus School of Law is therefore “Where law meets business and society”. Research at Erasmus School of Law concerns the interplay between law, practice, and society. In both research and education, Erasmus School of Law adopts a strong social and business-driven orientation. Erasmus School of Law is committed to promoting international and interdisciplinary research, as shown by its participation in several international research collaborations. The PhD programmes at Erasmus School of Law are also firmly embedded in international networks. Erasmus Graduate School of Law supports all PhD researchers at Erasmus School of Law throughout their PhD trajectory and guides them towards successful and timely completion of their PhD.  Erasmus Graduate School of law aims at providing a pleasant, supportive, inclusive and international research environment, offering a state-of-the-art educational programme and a strong progress monitoring and quality assurance system.