PhD Position on EU Strategic Autonomy and Defence Industries

Are you passionate about EU law and Europe’s military security? If so, then we have a PhD position for you at Utrecht University!

Your job
The European Union has historically been framed as an economic giant and political dwarf. More than 30 years after the Treaty of Maastricht created EU competences in the fields of defence and foreign policy, there is still no consensus on the nature of the EU as a geopolitical actor. Ever since the EU’s 2016 Security Strategy, the ambition to become a stronger geopolitical actor has been embodied by the concept of strategic autonomy. In plain terms, the notion refers to the capacity of the EU to act independently and without reliance on actors from third countries in those policy areas which are strategically important; in particular in the area of defence industries.

While the structures of the international order are rapidly shifting, the EU’s constitutional foundations have largely remained the same. National sovereignty still forms the foundation for military capabilities. The concrete meaning of European strategic autonomy therefore remains inconclusive.

As a PhD researcher, you will undertake a four-year research project aimed at identifying and critically examining the constitutional foundations of strategic autonomy in the field of defence industries. To achieve this, you will integrate classical legal-doctrinal research methods with theoretical insights from geopolitics (international relations) and empirical insights from EU policymaking.

You:

• have obtained a legal master’s degree, preferably in EU law;
• have strong analytical skills and excellent academic writing skills proven by excellent study results;
• are capable of working autonomously on complex legal issues and are able to discern between political and legal issues in current geopolitical affairs;
• possess an excellent command of written and spoken English;
• are looking for work in which you are intellectually challenged;
• have the ambition to understand this topic, to provide solutions, and finalise a PhD thesis in four years.

We offer:

• a position for 18 months - after a positive evaluation the employment will be extended to four years in total;
• a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance is a faculty at the heart of society, with a strong focus on social issues. Our subjects of Law, Economics and Governance give us a strong mix of academic disciplines that complement and enhance each other. This is a unique combination and a mark of our faculty's strength.

The Utrecht University School of Law has provided quality research and education for more than 350 years. Constant innovation has enabled the School to maintain its leading position. Top-ranking research is conducted in all important legal fields: private law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, EU law, public international law. Researchers collaborate intensively with foreign partners, mainly from the angle of European and comparative law. The School of Law also conducts contract research and consultancy for other organisations. The extensive educational programme is based on academic research conducted within the faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. Students are trained to be highly qualified, internationally-oriented lawyers on the basis of modern didactical principles.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button.

Interviews with several shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place in the second half of October. Depending on the outcome of the interviews, a subsequent stage in the procedure may be initiated.