One fulltime position as junior lecturer/PhD researcher is available at the Faculty of Law of Maastricht University. As a junior lecturer/PhD researcher, you share your time evenly between teaching (50%) and research (50%). Next to writing a PhD under the supervision of professors and researchers of the Faculty of Law, you will teach in a variety of courses and will acquire your University Teaching Qualification. You will join the department of International and European Law and will be expected to teach courses of European Law (institutional and substantive law) as well as International Law. You will join the Maastricht University Graduate School of Law. To apply, you must also prepare a research proposal that fits in with the research profile indicated below.

We welcome PhD proposals that have a topic which falls under the themes of European (Union) Law and Human Rights. 

In particular, we welcome contributions on one (or more) of the selected topics:

Human rights in Europe

We are interested in PhD projects both on the institutional and the substantive dimension of the European system of human rights protection. Projects could adopt a doctrinal methodology, or an empirical, sociological and/or philosophical perspective. Questions that could be tackled include the division of tasks between different European fundamental rights actors, the European Union as a fundamental rights organisation and its role in international agreements such as the UNCRPD and the Istanbul Convention, but also the scope and relevance of specific sets of rights such as social rights. Existing human rights issues might be also studied from a legal pluralist lens. One could focus on particular groups of rights holders whose rights might be at risk of being violated in Europe (e.g. members of the Roma community, people living in conflict zones), or on specific “vulnerable” groups (e.g. children). A comparative perspective is also welcomed, if relevant.

Rights across borders

We are interested in PhD projects dealing with rights of persons crossing borders. This can cover subjects of EU internal mobility (free movement of persons and their third-country nationals family members) or external mobility (EU migration). In particular, we are interested in the rights of vulnerable groups such as children, persons with disabilities, or minorities (sexual orientation, religious beliefs, etc.). Projects could also focus on institutional aspects of EU free movement and migration law, including its enforcement and the role of EU agencies.

The enforcement of European law and/or human rights

We are interested in PhD projects looking into questions of the enforcement of supranational (EU or ECHR) law. For projects focusing on EU law, this might involve looking into the enforcement of crisis measures vis-à-vis Member States; enforcement through newly created institutional structures; the enforcement of international obligations entered into by the EU and its Member States, etc. We are also interested in projects that focus on (lack of) enforcement of EU and/or ECHR law, and the consequences thereof for the enjoyment of human rights.

Supervisors
The potential supervisors are Matteo Bonelli, Merijn Chamon, Marieke Hopman, and Pauline Melin. The selection of the supervisors will be dependent upon the research proposal of the candidate. The candidate is however required to already identify one or two envisaged supervisor(s) in their research proposal, and briefly explain their choice.

We are looking for candidates who

• hold a relevant Master degree, preferably completed with excellent grades
• are highly motivated, and creative
• can demonstrate relevant writing skills, proven, for example, by the quality of their master thesis
• possess first-rate analytical skills
• have an excellent research idea
• have excellent written and oral command of English, knowledge of Dutch is an asset
• be passionate about teaching and possess good didactic skills

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

Junior lecturer/PhD researcher will be offered a 1.0 fte contract for 6 years, starting preferably in September 2023. Continuation after the first year is dependent upon a positive evaluation. The full-time gross monthly salary amounts to € 2,960 in the first year according to salary scale ‘junior docent-promovendus’, increasing to € 3,703 in the sixth year; on top of this there will be an 8% holiday and an 8,3% year-end allowance.

You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Maastricht. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you will be eligible for an allowance for moving costs. If you do not already live in Maastricht (or its direct surroundings), you might be eligible for an allowance for alternative housing. Other secondary conditions include a pension scheme and partially paid parental leave.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). 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.

Faculty of Law

The Faculty of Law has a strong and distinct international profile both in education and research. Our faculty is an inspiring and lively place where enthusiastic and inquisitive staff attempt to find answers to the important legal issues of today. Researchers are able to flourish in the faculty’s vibrant academic community. They develop their own research projects, within the contours set by the faculty’s research programme (Research programme at the Faculty of Law - About UM - Maastricht University).

Research is focused on the study of the role of law in an increasingly globalised society. It involves studying both institutional and substantive developments in the process of Europeanisation and globalisation and the role of the national legal order therein. This takes place by means of comparative research in the main legal fields and through dedicated research in the fields of European law, international economic law, human rights law and law & technology in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary context. To this end, various research methods are applied whereby more traditional methods are combined with empirical research methods.

The Faculty of Law has six departments (Private Law, Public Law, International and European Law, Criminal Law, Tax Law and Foundation and Methods of Law) and hosts twelve research institutes and groups (Law research institutes - About UM - Maastricht University).

Graduate School

The faculty values the significant contribution of motivated and talented PhD researchers to a vibrant research climate, which is why the recruitment, supervision and training of PhD researchers are set high on the faculty’s agenda. All these activities are covered by the Maastricht Graduate School of Law. The school is committed to educating young academics and to contributing to the advancement of knowledge through original research. It is dedicated to training excellent law students from all over the world to help them to extend, deepen and actively apply their knowledge, so as to become highly qualified independent researchers. The graduate school offers PhD candidates a stimulating and internationally oriented environment for legal research and aims to contribute to strengthening the faculty’s research profile.