The T.M.C Asser Instituut invites applications for a position as (Senior) Researcher of Public International Law to strengthen its critical research capacity in the area of public international law, working within the research strand on International Institutions and Practices.

What are you going to do

We are looking for a colleague who can engage critically with institutional practices and knowledge production, and communicate their findings in policy-relevant ways to diverse publics alongside the academic community.

Tasks:

As a researcher you are expected to:

• initiate, develop and execute high-level research projects independently;
• publish in top international journals;
• participate in international seminars and conferences;
• coordinate, develop and execute research projects in collaboration with other Asser researchers;
• apply for external research grants (e.g. with organisations such as NWO or with the ERC scheme);
• have an active interest in other work in the research group and contribute to the Asser research community as a whole;
• take up the managing editorship of the Netherlands Yearbook of International Law;
• contribute to Asser’s knowledge on dissemination activities;
• initiate, contribute to, and participate in ‘third stream money’ funded research projects and their acquisition.

What do we require?

Your experience and profile, the following criteria will be taken into account:

• a completed PhD in Public International Law, plus post-doctoral research experience;
• an interest in collaborating with researchers from other sub-legal fields (e.g. EU Law or Private International Law);
• a track record of high-quality academic publications;
• a strong and relevant international network;
• commitment to contribute to a stimulating research community;
• organisational and communications skills;
• willingness to compete to attract external funding for research projects;
• an ability to apply critical theory constructively;
• fluency in English;
• fluency in Dutch or the intent to become fluent in the near future is required.

Experience in bringing your expertise to a broader (public and/or practice oriented) audience is a plus.

Professional advocacy or other relevant institutional experience is a plus.

The following background and interests are encouraged and a plus:

• all-round knowledge of public international law is a must;
• demonstrable focus on international organisations;
• strong methodological foundation and interest;
• interest in new technologies and effects on governance routines;
• interest in international courts and tribunals.

Our offer

The contract will be with the Amsterdam Law School. The Researcher will be seconded to the T.M.C. Asser Instituut. This appointment will be initially for the period of one year, available from 1 September 2021. Extension of the contract is subject to satisfactory performance after the first year.

The gross full-time monthly salary will be in accordance with the salary scales for a Researcher at Dutch universities, ranging from €3,746 to €5,826 gross per month, full time equivalent (salary scale 11-12 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) and will depend on the actual level of education, experience and knowledge. Secondary employee benefits at Dutch universities are attractive and include 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.

University of Amsterdam

With over 5,000 employees, 30,000 students and a budget of more than 600 million euros, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) is an intellectual hub within the Netherlands. Teaching and research at the UvA are conducted within seven faculties: Humanities, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Economics and Business, Law, Science, Medicine and Dentistry. Housed on four city campuses in or near the heart of Amsterdam, where disciplines come together and interact, the faculties have close links with thousands of researchers and hundreds of institutions at home and abroad.  

The UvA’s students and employees are independent thinkers, competent rebels who dare to question dogmas and aren’t satisfied with easy answers and standard solutions. To work at the UvA is to work in an independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterised by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society.

Amsterdam Law School – T.M.C. Asser Institute

The University of Amsterdam’s Law School prides itself on its international orientation and strong social commitment. This is reflected by both its research and educational activities. The Amsterdam Law School offers three Bachelor’s programmes, including the interdisciplinary English-language Bachelor Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) in cooperation with two other Faculties, as well as a variety of Master's programmes, several of which are taught exclusively in English (i.e. International and European Law, European Private Law, International Criminal Law, and Law & Finance). The Amsterdam Law School prepares students for a wide variety of legal careers including law firms, government, business and industry, the national and international judiciary, public service, human rights advocacy, and academia. With 5000 students and over 450 staff members, it is one of the largest law faculties in the Netherlands.

About the Asser Institute

The T.M.C Asser Instituut in The Hague is a research centre for international and European law. Its mission is to contribute to the development of international and European law by conducting independent fundamental research, policy-oriented research, and applied legal research, as well as by initiating and facilitating academic and expert meetings, (professional) education, and public events with a view to disseminating knowledge of international and European Law.

The Institute is dedicated to excellent research and to strengthening its vibrant research community and a culture of critical-constructive reflection.

To work at the University of Amsterdam is to work in a discerning, independent, creative, innovative and international climate characterized by an open atmosphere and a genuine engagement with the city of Amsterdam and society. Here you can read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.