Primarily, the work relates to two externally funded projects carried out by the M-EPLI Research Institute for the European Commission. These projects are funded by action grants in the area of cross-border cooperation in civil justice (DG JUST):

- the FAMIMOVE (Families on the Move) project seeks to contribute to the effective and coherent application of the EU acquis in the field of international family law, in particular by raising awareness about international child protection instruments applicable to migrant children among critical stakeholders (e.g. migration and asylum authorities, child protection authorities, NGOs, lawyers, judges).

The candidate will assist with the collection of comparative empirical data, with the organisation of a series of awareness raising seminars in each of the seven countries represented in FAMIMOVE and the completion of three transnational pilot projects relating to key issues of international child protection in a migration context. In addition, as part of the project coordinator (UM), the candidate will take up tasks of project management (coordination with funding institution and within the consortium of seven institutions, reporting, etc.)

- the DIGI-GUARD project works on digital communication and safeguarding the parties' rights in cross-border proceedings, e.g. the digital service of documents and the digital taking of evidence in cross-border settings. This project is coordinated by the University of Maribor (Slovenia) with UM as a member of this research consortium.

The candidate will assist with the completion of national reports and will assist with the comparative evaluation of the application of the EU Service and Evidence Regulations.

These two projects will take 0.7 fte working time. The appointment can be supplemented by teaching activities up to 1.0 fte.

As a researcher within M-EPLI you have a really varied job. In addition to the abovementioned projects, you may  be involved in teaching related courses (e.g. family law, procedural law or private international law), you can coach the Maastricht team of the PAX Moot Court Competition or contribute to new project proposals, for instance with a view of writing a PhD or post-doc project. You are part of a dynamic and creative research community where transnational and international legal thinking prevails.

• Law graduate (or equivalent education);
• Excellent organisational skills;
• Experience or affinity with the area of private international law, international family law or international civil procedure; 
• Good oral and written communication skills in English and Dutch;
• Interest for the practical implementation of the relevant EU legal instruments (EU Regulations such as Brussels II, Evidence Regulation and Service Regulation);
• A flexible and solution-oriented work attitude.

Fixed-term contract: 24 months.

The employment is for a period of 24 months. Envisaged start date is 01.01.2023 but a later date is negotiable.

The position is based on the university position-range UFO-profile “researcher 4”; remuneration in salary scale 10 (minimum gross salary € 2.960 and maximum gross salary € 4.670 ,- per month on full-time basis). A higher salary scale is negotiable based on more seniority (e.g. post-doc candidate).

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. For more information, visit www.maastrichtuniversity.nl.