Two Early Stage Researcher (ESR) positions for a fixed-term of 3 years are available at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, within the EU-funded Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network (ITN) on transatlantic trade and investment (TTIP). The ESRs will work within Erasmus School of Law School on a PhD research project.

PhD-position 1):
The research project has the provisional title Persistence and change of regulatory cultures: A socio-legal analysis of regulatory regimes in the context of trade and investment agreements. The ESR will work under the supervision of Professor Dr. Klaus Heine, Professor of Law and Economics, on a PhD thesis enhancing the understanding of the legal and economic effects of diverse regulatory cultures (namely EU/US) on the conclusion and implementation of international trade and investment agreements. Methodologically, the project builds upon the economic analysis of international trade relations, but extends this analysis to the analysis of path dependence (rigidity and persistence) of regulatory regimes. The identification of the underlying legal hindrances for regime switches in the EU and USA shall receive special attention (details to be agreed between ESR and supervisor).

PhD-position 2):
The research project has the provisional title The Finance Exception in TTIP. The ESR will work under the supervision of Professor Dr. Fabian Amtenbrink, Professor of European Union Law, on a PhD thesis enhancing the understanding of how financial services regulation and financial market access figure in the TTIP negotiations and of possibilities and challenges facing transatlantic banking (re-)regulation and regulatory cooperation in the wake of the global financial crisis. Methodologically the project envisages a political economic and legal-institutional analysis of the engagement of key financial market actors, regulators, and trade negotiators, evaluation of impact of lack of financial regulatory coordination and cooperation in TTIP on US and EU economies and the possibilities and costs for global financial stability, examination of connections between TTIP negotiations on financial services and other international fora G20, IMF, FSB, Basel Committee (details to be agreed between ESR and supervisor).

Please find attached the complete job description concerning both positions.

PhD-position 1):
You have a university master degree in Law, Economics, political science or other disciplines relevant to the research theme mentioned above. You can demonstrate relevant scientific research skills, proven, for example, by academic publications or by the quality of your master thesis. You have excellent oral and written skills in English.

PhD-position 2):
You have a university master degree, preferably in law, or otherwise in economics, political science or other disciplines relevant to the research theme mentioned above. Given the nature of the research project, applicants not holding a degree in law should have a strong affinity with law. You can demonstrate relevant scientific research skills, proven, for example, by academic publications or by the quality of your master thesis. You have excellent oral and written skills in English.

Please note that an assessment is part of the application procedure for both positions.

Current master students are welcome to apply. However, appointment will only be possible if the master degree has been obtained before 1 September 2017. You can apply without having proof of obtaining your master’s degree, however, bear in mind that proof of a master’s degree is a  formal requirement for employment.

Applicants may be of any nationality and the ESR will receive support on the condition that at times he or she moves from one country to another to broaden or deepen his or her competences. The successful candidate shall at the time of recruitment by the host organisation (ideally September 2017), be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of his or her research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
When recruited the ESR shall not have resided or carried out his or her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

The positions come with good employment conditions, compliant with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO NU). The position is for a fixed-term of three years. The salary is in accordance with the doctoral candidate scale of the CAO NU. For a full-time appointment, the salary is € 2,222 gross per month during the first year, which will increase annually up to € 2,709 gross per month in the third year. In addition, the attractive employment package includes an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, generous leave provisions for a healthy work-life balance, a good pension scheme, excellent options for collective insurance, and a provision for the use of the Internet at home. The employee may also use a number of campus facilities, such as sports facilities and the library.

Erasmus University Rotterdam is an equal opportunities employer, committed to promoting equality, diversity and fairness irrespective of age, disability, gender, pregnancy or marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

The Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) is an internationally oriented university with a pronounced social orientation in its education and research. Our scientists and students work to solve global and social challenges, inspired by the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Rotterdam. Our academic education is intensive, active, and applied. Our research is increasingly taking place in multidisciplinary teams, which are highly intertwined with international networks. With our research impact and study quality,Erasmus University Rotterdam is highly ranked and can compete with leading European universities. Important values ​​for Erasmus University Rotterdam are being daring, curious, socially involved, deliberate and aspiring to success.

Erasmus School of Law

More than 4,000 students attend Erasmus School of Law (ESL), and the School has around 400 employees. ESL provides bachelor’s degree programmes in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with education focusing on active academic learning. Students can subsequently choose from 15 master’s degree programmes. For students who have greater ambitions, there is also a Master of Laws – Post-master’s Programme (Dutch: mr.drs.): a double degree programme in law and economics. Upon completion of a master’s degree, the Erasmus School of Law (in collaboration with the Erasmus Academy and others) offers several post-graduate tracks.

The fundamental premise underlying academic research conducted at ESL is that law cannot be considered in splendid isolation or as an end in itself. It is imbedded in an economic and social context that shapes law. At the same time, law itself shapes society and defines economic relationships. In line with this vision, the mission of ESL is to conduct innovative research on the function of law in its economic and social context. ESL research has a strong social and business-driven orientation. ESL is committed to promoting international and interdisciplinary research. More information on the ESL research programmes, can be found at: www.esl.eur.nl/research/programmes