Within the framework of the national sectoral plan for legal science, Erasmus School of Law is launching a new research center with a dual focus: Empirical Legal Studies and Public & Private Interests. The center encompasses ten dedicated PhD-researchers, four postdoctoral projects and five co-chairs on professorial level on the themes of Public and Private Interests and Quantitative Empirical Legal Studies. To strengthen the component of Empirical Legal Studies, Erasmus School of Law is hiring a postdoctoral researcher with a quantitative empirical legal research focus.

To find out which legal designs work to the benefit of society and secure both public and private interests, empirical evidence is a cornerstone. Quantitative empirical studies, ranging from the analysis of data collected in the field to the design and conducting of laboratory experiments, can be an important supplement to the legal and normative approach, ensuring that theoretical legal frameworks will match with practice and social needs.

The research topic for the postdoc is intentionally only broadly defined, as Erasmus school of Law welcomes empirical legal research that is relevant to all substantive areas of law related to its profile, including law and criminology, but also the study of law from an economic and social point of view. The vacancy is not restricted to applicants with a specific background in law but is also open for applicants with a different background (e.g. economics, psychology, sociology) who have a strong expertise in quantitative empirical studies and a keen interest in empirical legal studies.

Erasmus School of Law has already a strong methodological cluster on empirical legal research with a chair Empirical Legal Studies, which has been the first chair on Empirical Legal Studies in Europe, a chair Experimental Legal Studies, and now also two chairs of Quantitative Empirical Legal Studies. In addition, the department of criminology has extensive expertise in qualitative and quantitative studies. The ambition is to further strengthen the leading position of Erasmus School of Law in the Netherlands regarding Empirical Legal Studies by expanding the latter’s research portfolio to include more extensive use of empirical methods, as well as to offer impactful policy relevance and related educational activities.

The successful applicant will dedicate 0.8 FTE to research and 0.2 FTE to research-related teaching and management activities. Research is expected to be aimed at international top journals. You have the ambition to set up a strong international research line, while fostering a collaborative network and research platform with other academics and stakeholders on the topic, such as active participation in the recently established Dutch ELS Academy and the European Society of Empirical Legal Studies.

• PhD with a strong quantitative empirical component (a PhD in law is not required, and can be in any field of social or data sciences). Expertise or affinity to empirical legal studies is desirable;
• Excellent research track record as evidenced by academic publications in leading international journals;
• Experience and/or aspiration to conduct interdisciplinary research and to be part of an interdisciplinary research environment;
• Willingness to work in a team and to contribute to common goals;
• Preferably teaching experience and proven didactic skills;
• Preferably experience in obtaining external funding;
• Excellent knowledge of English, written and oral (C1).

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, preferably, 1 April 2023 and you will be based at Erasmus School of Law (ESL) in Rotterdam, Woudestein campus. The position is for 1.0 FTE. The salary is dependent on your experience and knowledge and ranges from a minimum of €3,974 to a maximum of €5,439 gross per month on a fulltime basis, in accordance with scale 11 of the CAO-NU. In addition, we offer an 8% holiday allowance, an end-of-year payment of 8.3%, and a very generous paid leave scheme. Furthermore, EUR is affiliated with ABP for the pension provision, and we offer partially paid parental leave, fully paid extended birth leave for partners, a personal career budget, work-life balance coaches, discounted collective health insurance, and more. Combined with personal and professional development, as well as active career support, we help you become and remain fit for the future. As an employee, you can also use EUR facilities such as the University library and receive a discount on subscriptions for the Erasmus sports center.

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

Erasmus University Rotterdam aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfill their full potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our successes, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EUR provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

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

Erasmus School of Law employs 500 members of staff and is attended by around 6000 students. Erasmus School of Law offer bachelor programmes in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with a focus on active academic learning. The Bachelor's phase is characterised by problem-based learning (PBL).  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).

At Erasmus School of Law, the fundamental premise of academic research 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 shapes law. At the same time, law shapes society and defines economic relationships. In line with this vision, the mission of Erasmus School of Law is to carry out 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': Erasmus School of Law is all about the interplay between law, practice and society. Both research and teaching at Erasmus School of Law have a strong social and business orientation. Erasmus School of Law is committed to promoting international and interdisciplinary research, as evidenced by its participation in various international research collaborations.