Doctoral scholarship holder human rights and international law

Department: Faculty of Law - general
Regime Full-time

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp  is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

 The Law and Development Research Group of the Faculty of Law is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of human rights and international law.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis that investigates how how human rights that are public goods such as health, education, food and water are operationalised through UN partnership mechanisms on the one hand and through the UN inter-state treaty-based human rights legal mechanisms on the other. The PhD research will be undertaken in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant-funded GENESIS (GovErning humaN rights through partnErShIpS: investigating the interface of international law and multistakeholder governance) project (www.genesis-erc.eu ).
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project and disseminate and present your research findings at conferences/workshops.
• You will conduct research under the supervision of Gamze Erdem Türkelli , as a member of the Law and Development Research Group  and of the GENESIS project team.
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Law and Development Research Group and the Faculty of Law.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in law or a closely related field such as political science, international relations, development studies or human geography or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You have an excellent command of English at the academic level and are able to write a doctoral dissertation in English.
• You have a working knowledge of at least one other United Nations official language. 
• You can demonstrate excellent study results, particularly in relation to international law and human rights or related coursework.
• You have experience in interdisciplinary research and have an affinity with empirical research methods (particularly interviews with key informants and legal analysis).
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You are self-reliant and able to plan and organise your own work well (taking priorities into account).
• You are able to effectively work as a part of an international team.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies .
• You act in accordance with the mission statement  of the University of Antwerp.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another two years.
• The planned start date is 1 July 2024 or soon after that date after consultation between the candidate and the supervisor.
• Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts  for doctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will do most of your work at City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 2 May 2024 by 23:59 CET. Applications submitted after this deadline will be declared inadmissible. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter where you explain your interest in the topic and your qualifications
  • a single-author writing sample
  • your academic CV
  • a detailed overview of your study grades
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure. Interviews with pre-selected candidates will take place on 24 May 2024 at the City Campus or online.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact [email protected] .

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.