Doctoral scholarship holder law of the European Union, with particular attention to asylum and migration law and EU constitutional law

Department: Faculty of Law - general
Regime Full-time

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The Faculty of Law Law is looking for a full-time (100%) doctoral scholarship holder in the field of law of the European Union, with particular attention to asylum and migration law and EU constitutional law.

Position

• You will work actively on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis on the topic of respect for national identity and essential State functions in EU migration and free movement law. This research aims to conceptualize the notions of ‘national identity’ and ‘essential State functions’ in Article 4(2) TEU and to explore the extent to which they can serve to restore national sovereignty of Member States within the context of migratory policy, bearing in mind the fundamental values, rights and freedoms that lie at the core of the EU. The hypothesis is that Member States, under pressure of an increasing negative national public opinion with regard to migratory movements, may use Article 4(2) TEU to escape from their obligations under EU law and re-gain a Nation-State inspired sovereignty in this field.
• You will publish scientific articles related to the research project.
• You will carry out your research in the framework of the research group on Government and Law  under the supervision of professor Dirk Vanheule .
• You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for the Faculty of Law  of the University of Antwerp and its research group on Government and Law .

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Law or you will have obtained it by the time you start work.
• You submit a research proposal  (in English) for the research that you will develop (see above). This proposal of maximum 5 pages includes the following headings: ‘state of the art’, ‘research objectives’, ‘methodology’ and ‘bibliography’. The proposal should allow you to successfully complete the PhD in 4 years.
• The prior conditions are conditions of admissibility.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results, particularly in the field of the law of the European Union, EU Migration and Asylum Law and/or comparative constitutional law. You substantiate this with a detailed overview of your study results (see 'Want to apply?').
• You have a particular interest in scientific research in the field of the law of the European Union and in EU policy and law of free movement, migration and asylum.
• You have excellent language skills that permit high-level academic legal research. Your proficiency in English is high. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• 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 act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have excellent legal research and writing skills.
• You are able to plan and organise your own work well (taking priorities into account).
• You are self-reliant and stress-resistant.
• You are motivated to work actively on your further professional development.
• You act in conformity with the mission statement of the University of Antwerp.

What we offer

• We offer a doctoral scholarship, funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) 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 September 2024 or as soon as possible after that date.
• 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 the 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 22 April 2024 at 23:59 CET. Late submissions are inadmissible. Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter
  • your academic CV
  • a detailed overview of your study results
  • a detailed research proposal  of maximum 5 pages for the research that you will develop (see above).
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. The interviews of preselected candidates will take place, on campus or online, on Tuesday 7 May 2024 in the afternoon.
• 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 dr. Dirk Vanheule .

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.