Full-time PhD research positions at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University

Four-year fulltime paid PhD positions are available at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University. As a PhD researcher, you will carry out independent academic research under the supervision of professors and researchers of the Faculty of Law, resulting in a PhD thesis. At least 80% of the position will be dedicated to research and not more than 20% to teaching activities. To apply, you will prepare a research proposal that fits in the Faculty’s research programme. PhD researchers join the department connected to the theme of their research proposal. PhD researchers join the Maastricht University Graduate School of Law.

We are looking for candidates who

• hold a relevant Master degree, preferably completed with excellent grades. Final-year (master) students are (likewise) welcome to apply if they have proven research skills;
• are highly motivated and creative;
• can demonstrate relevant writing skills, proven, for example, by the quality of their master thesis;
• possess first-rate analytical skills;
• have an excellent research idea;
• have excellent written and oral command of English and/or Dutch.

We offer a 1.0 fte contract for a period of 4 years, starting preferably as per 1 September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. Continuation after the first year is dependent upon a positive evaluation.

The full-time gross monthly salary amounts to € 2.541,-- in the first year according to salary scale PhD (‘promovendus’), increasing to € 3.247,-- in the fourth year; on top of this there will be an 8% holiday and an 8,3% year-end allowance.

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you might be eligible for an allowance for alternative housing. Other secondary conditions include a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law has a strong and distinct international profile both in education and research. Our faculty is an inspiring and lively place where enthusiastic and inquisitive staff attempt to find answers to the important legal issues of today. Researchers are able to flourish in the faculty’s vibrant academic community. They develop their own research projects, within the contours set by the faculty’s research programme (Research programme at the Faculty of Law - About UM - Maastricht University).

Research is focused on the study of the role of law in an increasingly globalised society. Research involves studying both institutional and substantive developments in the process of Europeanisation and globalisation and the role of the national legal order therein. This takes place by means of comparative research in the main fields of the law and research in the fields of European law, international economic law, human rights and law & technology in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary context. To this end, various research methods are applied whereby more traditional methods are combined with empirical research methods.

The Faculty of Law has six departments (Private Law, Public Law, International and European Law, Criminal Law, Tax Law and Foundation and Methods of Law) and hosts twelve research institutes and groups (Law research institutes - About UM - Maastricht University).

The faculty values the significant contribution of motivated and talented PhD researchers to a vibrant research climate, which is why the recruitment, supervision and training of PhD researchers are set so high on the faculty’s agenda. All these activities are covered by the Maastricht Graduate School of Law. The school is committed to educating young academics and to contributing to the advancement of knowledge through original research. It is dedicated to training excellent law students from all over the world to help them to extend, deepen and actively apply their knowledge, so as to become highly qualified independent researchers. The graduate school offers PhD candidates a stimulating and internationally oriented environment for legal research and aims to contribute to strengthening the faculty’s research profile.

Conditions for submitting an application

When submitting a proposal, the following conditions apply:

• each candidate will contact, preferably in an early stage, a professor or associate professor of the Faculty of Law who will act as the promotor of the proposed PhD research. The envisaged supervisor submits a letter of commitment explaining commitment to the proposed research and the candidate. The promotor and candidate involve at least one co-promotor to join the team of supervisors. If expertise is available in-house, this is preferred to external supervision. Promotors are encouraged to involve assistant professors as co-promotors.
• each professor or associate professor of the Faculty of Law may commit to only one application either as promotor or co-promotor.

Preparing an application

An application consists of:

• a fully elaborated proposal drafted in English or Dutch (according to the language in which the dissertation will be written), using this application https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/file/applicationformphdcandidatesfacultyoflaw2023doc
• detailed CV, including – if applicable – relevant publications;
• academic transcript of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and list of grades;
• a motivation letter;
• a letter by the envisaged promotor substantiating the commitment;
• the master thesis or, if applicable, another substantial piece of English or Dutch writing.

Submitting an application

An application can only be submitted by email to Pzfdrvacatures@maastrichtuniversity.nl, with reference to the vacancynumber AT2023.26 in your letter. The closing date for the submission is Wednesday 15 March 2023, 23.59 hours.

Assessment criteria

Applications are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• originality of the proposal and potential contribution to the existing body of  knowledge;
• research design and methods set out in the proposal and the link between setup and methods;
• quality of the PhD candidate;
• track record of the envisaged team of supervisors;
• feasibility (both in terms of research setup and budget);
• match between the proposal and the Maastricht Faculty of Law research programme.

The applications will be assessed by a selection committee appointed for that purpose by the Faculty Board.

Time schedule

15 March 2023, 23.59

Closing date submission of applications

Mid April 2023

Applicants are informed whether they are invited for an interview

Early May 2023

Interviews

End of May 2023

Final decision by the Faculty Board

Enclosed: Application Form PhD Positions Faculty of Law Maastricht University 2023. 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.

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