A key aspect of Erasmus School of Law is that research groups work across the boundaries of legal disciplines, applying modern tools of social science research, such as empirical and experimental methods. Within this new research initiative, you will study the role of private actors, in particular businesses, in safeguarding public interests in one of three research projects. The research will be conducted within the framework of the nationwide sectoral plan for legal science, in collaboration with our partner therein, the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen.

The postdoctoral research positions are linked to the following three projects:

Project 12. Mobilising public interests: a pluralist perspective
This project explores the various manifestations, uses and mobilisations of ‘public interests’ amongst various actors in the pluralist state with a principal focus on private actors.

Project 13. The rule of law in the face of rising private powers 
This project aims to move beyond the assumption that institutions wielding public power can effectively control rising private powers by developing novel ways to conceptualise a legal framework to address these private powers more directly.

Project 14. Beyond pure voluntariness: the case for a recalibration of self-regulation and public regulation 
This project aims to comprehensively map the limits of the pure voluntarism of private self-regulation by identifying the flaws of public regulation to effectively enforce public interests and by revealing uncovered potential to regulate in multilevel legal orders such the EU.

Detailed information about the projects can be found on the website https://www.eur.nl/esl/public-and-private-interests-new-balance

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join a law school ranked in the top 50 of the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings of global law schools which is committed to promoting excellent international and interdisciplinary research with a high positive societal impact.

You will dedicate 0.8 FTE to research and 0.2 FTE to research-related teaching activities.

You have the ambition to set up a strong international research line, while fostering a collaborative network and research platform with other academics and stakeholders on the topic.

As postdoctoral researcher you will be part of the new research community for the research initiative ‘Public and private interests: a new balance’ that is led by two dedicated professorial researchers and includes a total of 11 PhD research projects. Under the leadership of the two professorial researchers you will cooperate with various senior researchers from Erasmus School of Law working in the field in question.

Candidates will be selected based on their professional qualifications, a letter of motivation, CV and a research plan (maximum 2 pages). The effective commencement of the employment agreement is preferably in September 2020.

• Doctoral degree;
• Solid background in and good knowledge of one of the disciplines mentioned in the project descriptions;
• Good overview of the research domain in relation to other relevant research fields;
• Aspiration to work in an interdisciplinary research environment and to be part of a larger research team that will be led by two professorial researchers dedicated to the sectorial plan;
• Academic creativity and productivity as evidenced from publications in leading, preferably English language, scientific journals and academic activities commensurate with current stage of career; 
• Preferably lecturing experience and proven didactic skills;
• Preferably experience in obtaining external funding;
• Excellent knowledge of English, written and oral (C1).

Fixed-term contract: 2 years with possibility of subsequent permanent contract.

The selection procedure may involve an assessment.

Your contract will initially be for a period of two years with the possibility of a subsequent permanent contract depending on your performance during the first two years. Salary is scaled according to the CAO of Dutch Universities Scale 11 CAO NU, with a minimum of € 3,637 gross per month based on a 38 hour per week contract.

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.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

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

Erasmus School of Law employs 490 members of staff and is attended by around 5000 students. Erasmus School of Law offers bachelor programmes in Law, Tax Law and Criminology, with a focus on active academic learning. Students can subsequently choose from a wide variety of master programmes. Erasmus School of Law also collaborates in Double Degree programmes combining law and (business) economics or law and business administration and is one of the founders of the European Master in Law & Economics. Once students have completed their master’s degree, they may choose from several postgraduate tracks provided by Erasmus School of Law (in collaboration with Erasmus Academy and others).

The fundamental premise underlying academic research conducted at Erasmus School of Law is that law cannot be considered in splendid isolation or as an end in itself. It is embedded 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, our mission is to conduct innovative research on the function of law in its economic and social context. This research has a strong social and business-driven orientation. Erasmus School of Law is committed to promoting international and interdisciplinary research.