Utrecht University School of Law is looking for a PhD candidate for a four-year PhD research project on the approximation of the laws of the EU Member States in criminal matters and minimum rules in the EU’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice.

Your job
European enforcement integration without a level playing field of common norms, customs, and enforcement practices is a utopia. Yet, the level and degree of approximation of criminal systems touches upon the very essence and nature of the EU. Clearly, some degree of level playing field is necessary to promote European values, for enforcement cooperation, and in support of EU policies. But what is the required level? What level of approximation is legitimate?

This project aims to contribute to this debate by analysing the concept and role of ‘minimum rules’. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the EU may establish ‘minimum rules’ in specific areas of substantive and procedural criminal law. As the Treaties do not provide a definition of minimum rules, it is unclear what amounts to a minimum rule and what the role of such rules is within the EU’s AFSJ. How do minimum rules help establish a level playing field for justice integration? Do they amount to minimum harmonisation, or do they have a different meaning? Do such rules in the area of substantive and procedural laws have the same focus and purpose? And how do minimum rules relate to the principles of mutual trust and mutual recognition, subsidiarity and conferral on which the EU bases its competence? A comprehensive study into the concept, meaning and scope of minimum rules has received remarkably little attention in European (criminal) law.

Over a period of four years, you will conduct PhD research under the supervision of Dr Aart de Vries, Dr Domenico Rosani and Professor Michiel Luchtman. You will be embedded in the research programme of the Utrecht Centre for Regulation and Enforcement in Europe (RENFORCE).

A portion of your working hours will also be set aside for training and development, including the attendance of courses for PhD candidates. A small percentage of your time will be allocated to gaining teaching experience.

• You are interested in European (and/or) Criminal Law.
• You enjoy doing research and have the ambition to earn a PhD within four years.
• You have good research skills, and are open to improving them further with the help of your supervisors’ feedback.
• You have good verbal and written communication skills.
• You have earned a university degree in Law. You have preferably earned a Master’s degree in European (and/or) Criminal Law or you have specifically focused on these subjects during your studies.
• While you are comfortable conducting research in a relatively independent manner, you also enjoy being part of a team and value contributing to a collegial, open and inclusive work environment. You are open to various types of collaboration, sharing knowledge and experiences.
• You are willing to engage in academic teaching in the second and third year of the project (approx. 8 weeks a year).
• In addition to English language proficiency at the C1 level (CEFR), you are willing to develop your Dutch language proficiency to at least the B1 CEFR level.

We offer:

• a position for 18 months - in case of good performance, this will be extended to a total of four years;
• a working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance is a faculty at the heart of society, with a strong focus on social issues. Our subjects of Law, Economics and Governance give us a strong mix of academic disciplines that complement and enhance each other. This is a unique combination and a mark of our faculty's strength.

The Utrecht University School of Law has provided quality research and education for more than 350 years. Constant innovation has enabled the School to maintain its leading position. Top-ranking research is conducted in all important legal fields: private law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, EU law, public international law. Researchers collaborate intensively with foreign partners, mainly from the angle of European and comparative law. The School of Law also conducts contract research and consultancy for other organisations. The extensive educational programme is based on academic research conducted within the faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. Students are trained to be highly qualified, internationally-oriented lawyers on the basis of modern didactical principles.

For more information, please contact Dr Aart de Vries at a.j.devries1@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.