Doctoral fellow - Department of European, Public and International Law

Last application date Oct 10, 2022 00:00

Department RE22 - Department of European, Public and International Law

Contract Limited duration

Degree Master of Laws

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

THE RESEARCH TEAM

The research team 'energy law' of the University of Ghent consists of 11 researchers, including 4 PhD students, and is led by Prof. Dr. Frederik Vandendriessche. In addition to the PhD students, the research team includes a number of part-time project staff and voluntary staff. Our research activities include offshore wind energy, demand side management, local energy communities, energy efficiency of buildings, heat networks…

HET ONDERZOEKSPROJECT

Can we use the energy from sun and wind to make renewable molecules at sea and how do we prove that hydrogen is really green? With MuSe (Molecules at Sea) we want to explore the opportunities for producing and important renewable molecules, such as hydrogen, methanol and methane, from offshore energy production as we know it from wind or solar parks.
Your research is part of work package 6 of MuSe and concerns the certification of (renewable) hydrogen and other green molecules. Not only at the EU level, but also in various EU Member States, governments and companies are already taking initiatives to support and enable the swift roll-out of (imported) CO2-friendly molecules. In particular, a standardized comprehensive legal framework for hydrogen is crucial to form a single a single liquid and competitive market for green molecules in Central Western Europe. Moreover, the Belgian government intends to explore cooperation between the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France to establish international and European standards for the certification and trade of renewable molecules..
The project has a duration of 3 years with an additional 1 year industrial financing (still to be obtained), which should allow to complete a doctoral research in 4 years. The MuSe project is mainly financed by the ETF (Energy Transition Fund). The ETF’s mission is to encourage and support energy research, development and innovation within the federal energy competences (including renewable energies in the North Sea, biofuels, nuclear energy applications, security of supply and grid balancing).

YOUR TASKS

• You investigate the legal framework for hydrogen and green molecules, with a special focus on the certification of (green) hydrogen and other green molecules.
• You assist the ‘energy law’ research team with the fulfillment of various research and teaching tasks.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• You hold a Master’s degree in law (or plan to graduate this academic year).
• You have a thorough knowledge of international and European law.
• You have affinity with energy law.
• You achieved good study results.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration (engineering, economics, chemistry,…) does not scare you.
• You are open to industrial involvement.
• Experience and familiarity with Belgian law is a plus.
• You feel like doing scientific research with a view to obtaining a PhD.
• You are a team player.
• You are fluent in English (both spoken and written).
• Knowledge of the Dutch and French language is a plus..

You can easily apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and research plan to [email protected] .

The research plan is a maximum of five pages and contains the research question (can be several), problem situation (legal issues related to the certification of green molecules and hydrogen, supplemented with a description of the social and scientific relevance) and an overview of relevant literature (a list is sufficient).

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. dr. Frederik Vandendriessche ([email protected] , +32(0)4 72 71 40 76).