PhD Research Position on Cyber Security & Law

Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a strong social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work in close collaboration with internal and external parties to solve global, social challenges, inspired by the always dynamic and cosmopolitan Rotterdam. Our mission is therefore "Creating positive societal impact". Our academic education is intensive, active and application-oriented. Our research increasingly takes place in multidisciplinary teams, which are strongly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and thanks to the high quality of education, EUR can compete with the top European universities. The Erasmian values function as our internal compass and make Erasmus University recognizable to the outside world: engaged with society, world citizen, connecting, entrepreneurial and open-minded. www.eur.nl

Erasmus School of Law has over 5000 students and approximately 500 staff members. Erasmus School of Law offers Bachelor's degrees in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with the emphasis on active academic learning. For students who want more, there is the mr.drs. program, the double study of law and economics. After the master's degree Erasmus School of Law provides postgraduate education (in cooperation with Erasmus Academy and others).

Erasmus School of Law's basic premise 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 helps shape law. At the same time, law influences society and defines economic relationships. In line with this vision, the mission of Erasmus School of Law is to conduct innovative research into the function of law in its economic and social context, and to have a strong link between research and teaching. In both research and teaching, Erasmus School of Law considers internationalization and multidisciplinary research a matter of course. 

Erasmus School of Law is recruiting for

3 fulltime PhD research positions on cyber security & law

Job description

Erasmus School of Law is recruiting 3 ambitious PhD researchers on Cyber Security & Law (M/F 1.0 FTE, duration: 4 years, starting in April or May 2022).

The PhD projects are initiated by CLECS , Centre for the Law and Economics of Cyber Security, in collaboration with Ahold Delhaize and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The PhD researchers will be employed at Erasmus School of Law and will be part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Law. Next to that, the PhD projects  will be embedded in the LDE (strategic alliance Leiden University, TU Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam), more specific the LDE Cyber Security programme. This strategic alliance brings together the expertise of the three partners in a new cyber security program, which focuses on multidisciplinary research and education and partnerships with governments, businesses and knowledge institutions in Zuid-Holland.

We advertise for the following three 3 PhD projects:

The exact focus of these projects will be determined by the PhD researchers in cooperation with the supervisors.

During these PhD trajectories, you will specialize in the law and economics in cyber security. Within this field there is a big shortage on personnel with the ability to translate academic knowledge to practical solutions. Hence, the skills you will gain when working together with the Erasmus University, Ahold Delhaize, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the LDE programmeCyber Security will put you in pole position for a fruitful career in the very relevant and timely topic of cyber security.

Requirements

We are looking for candidates who:

• hold a Master degree in Law, Criminology or other discipline relevant for the PhD position. A background in Law & Economics would be an added advantage;
• can demonstrate relevant scientific research skills, proven, for example, by academic publications or by the quality of your master thesis;
• can demonstrate affinity with/has preferably knowledge of law and economics, behavioural science, and/or (technical) governance questions related to cyber security;
• have ambition, energy, and flexibility;
• have the ability to produce work of excellent quality;
• have excellent oral and written skills in English (requirements: see application format). For project 2, excellent oral and written skills in Dutch are also required.

Current master students, who will finish their master before the intended start date, are welcome to apply. Bear in mind that proof of a master’s degree is a formal requirement for employment.

Terms of employment

The positions are for 4 years, starting (in principle) 1 April or 1 May 2022.The PhD researchers will be part of the Erasmus Graduate School of Law. The position starts with a temporary employment contract for 18 months. This probationary period consists of an educational programme and individual research and entails an evaluation of the progress of the research after one year. In case of a positive evaluation, the contract will be extended. In the remaining 30-month period PhD researchers focus on their research and the completion of their thesis. In both phases structured guidance is provided by the thesis supervisors and a doctorate committee composed of senior researchers and one of the PhD coordinators of Erasmus Graduate School of Law. 

We offer an attractive position with good terms of employment in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
The monthly salary is € 2,443 gross for a fulltime position of 38 hours a week during the first year (CAO NU scale doctoral candidate), which will increase annually up to € 3,122 gross per month in the fourth year.   

The attractive benefits package includes an end of year bonus of 8.3%, holiday allowance of 8%, extensive leave facilities for a healthy work/life balance, a good pension fund and an excellent collective insurance package. Staff are also entitled to use various facilities, such as sport facilities and library.

Since April 2018, Erasmus University Rotterdam has offered a Dual Career Programme to partners and spouses of new international employees. This programme is executed in close cooperation with Leiden University and TU Delft and aims to help partners and spouses find a job on the Dutch labour market. See www.eur.nl/en/working/international-staff-eur/family/work-partners .

Additional information

More information about Erasmus University Rotterdam , Erasmus School of Law and Erasmus Graduate School of Law can be found on the websites.

For more information about the published vacancies, please contact the EGSL office via [email protected] or Dr. Bernold Nieuwesteeg, director CLECS via [email protected] .

Application procedure information

The information about the specific PhD projects can be found on the CLECS website.You are asked to elaborate a (short) research proposal based on this description. Next to that you will have to deliver a motivation letter, CV and the proof of a Master’s degree.
Your application is written in English and according to the application format, which can be found on the EGSL website . The interviews will also be in English. Applications which are not complete, are not according to the application format and/or do not elaborate the specific PhD project, will not be taken into account.

You may apply for this position until 13 February 2022 by sending your application to:

Erasmus University Rotterdam
Erasmus School of Law
To the attention of: A. Anemaat – Vorstenbos, HR Partner
E-mail: [email protected]  

Please state the job title (PhD researcher in Law or Criminology) and the job number AT2021.12/PHD.

Erasmus University Rotterdam does not appreciate acquisition and canvassing by third parties with respect to the above job advertisement.