PhD Candidate in 'Climate change and causality'

The Private, Business & Labour Law department of Tilburg Law School is seeking a PhD candidate to investigate key legal issues related to causality in climate change lawsuits, emphasizing creative approaches to intricate liability problems. This role provides a chance to engage in significant legal research aimed at fostering a sustainable and equitable society. If you're eager to make a meaningful difference, apply today!

The PhD project

1. Background
Climate change litigation is on the rise, with a frequent focus on the issue of causality. Although large corporations collectively have a substantial impact on climate change, their individual contributions are smaller and part of a broader chain involving consumer-related emissions (Scope 3 emissions). This situation creates complex causal networks that complicate legal judgments about whether a direct causal link is strong enough to justify legal remedies. A notable example is the Dutch case Milieudefensie et al v Royal Dutch Shell plc [2024], where the court dismissed the claims due to insufficient causality. 

The legal community acknowledges these complexities, but the existing analyses are often too brief and limited. Causality is complex and provides important challenges, especially when small contributions to larger systems are involved. In defending against claims, an individual wrongdoer might argue the absence of significant personal contribution to the harm, a defense complicated by the presence of numerous larger contributors. Current legal doctrines struggle to adapt to these causality challenges in climate litigation.

2. Research project aims
The research project seeks to bridge the current gap in academic work through a thorough study of the relationship between climate change and causality, considering the increasing body of relevant case law. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to shape her own research direction and questions within the scope of this project. Key areas of research might include:

• An exploration of how individual actions contribute to climate change and the implications for fault liability, or
• A study of specific legal doctrines and rules related to causality to determine if they can establish a causal connection, or alternatively, if they complicate climate change litigation. This aspect involves comparative legal research across different jurisdictions.

3. Research Program: Connecting Responsible Organizations
This PhD project aligns with the Research Program’s goal of contributing to sustainable society challenges. The Research Program emphasizes (private) regulatory challenges for a just and sustainable society, including the protection of vulnerable people and stakeholders. This includes fundamental legal questions in climate change challenges and the just transition. This PhD project lies squarely within this Research Program, particularly the theme of sustainability and more particularly the sub-topic ‘Responsibility and liability for environmental and (social) human rights impacts’. 

Tilburg University is curious about how you can contribute to our research, education, impact, and to the team you will be part of. Therefore, we would like to get the best possible picture of your knowledge, insight, skills, and personality. Below you can find the qualifications we consider important for the position.

As a successful candidate:

• You have an LLM degree (or equivalent qualification) in the field of private law or related area, preferably including knowledge of (comparative) tort law (or you will graduate before September 1st, 2025);
• You have a demonstrable interest in research, preferably (comparative) legal research in tort law and in the research topic outlined in this advertisement; 
• You have a high proficiency in English, allowing for effective communication and documentation’; 
• You acknowledge the importance of scientific integrity; 
• You have excellent communication skills, and if possible, also experience with presenting and/or lecturing, or you are willing to develop these presenting and lecturing skills during the PhD trajectory;
• You have team spirit: you feel part of a team and express this through collaboration, sharing knowledge and experiences, and contributing to an open, inclusive and diversified work environment at PBLL;
• You show personal leadership: you take responsibility for your work and career and possess a good level of self-knowledge;
• You are willing to perform your work in the Netherlands and are present at the Tilburg University campus during your PhD-trajectory. 

International PhD’s with scholarships below the IND income standard (€1,564) are unfortunately not eligible for this vacancy. 

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week); of which 80% is dedicated to research and 20% is dedicated to teaching. 
• A salary of € 2.901,- gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD and salary scale P-0. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience. 
• This is a vacancy for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport. 
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions). 
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary. 
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center. 
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities. 
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities. 

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization

Tilburg Law School
Since its founding in 1963, Tilburg Law School has become one of the leading law schools in Europe. Through top research and the provision of high-quality university education, the School contributes to society. Tilburg Law School is organized into five Departments: Public Law and Governance; Law, Technology, Markets and Society; Private, Business and Labour Law; the Fiscal Institute Tilburg; and Criminal Law. The mission of the School is to understand and improve the role of law and public administration in addressing the social problems of today and tomorrow. Through research and education, our scholars contribute to that mission. 

More than 4,000 students pursue a Bachelor's, pre-Master's or Master's degree at Tilburg Law School. Through this education, we train students in law, public administration, and data science. The Tilburg Educational Profile (TEP) is unique in the Netherlands. Central to it are three core concepts: knowledge, skill and character. A university education provides students with the latest substantive knowledge and trains them to be critical thinkers and resilient professionals. In addition, the School is committed to innovative educational concepts and, partly in response to the coronavirus crisis, has invested heavily in the quality of online education and in innovative didactic tools to make and keep students inquisitive. 

Tilburg Law School's research is highly regarded nationally and internationally. The Tilburg Law School Departments work closely together in their research in four signature research programs: 1) Global Law and Governance; 2) Law and Security; 3) Connecting Organizations; and 4) Regulating Socio-Technical Change. 

About the Department of Private, Business & Labour Law
The Department of Private, Business & Labour Law (PBLL) consists of approximately a hundred researchers, lecturers, and staff engaged in education and research in Private Law in its broadest sense. The inspiring and open culture makes working here a pleasure. 
You will be part of an enthusiastic team of experienced lecturers who will guide you through everything that is involved in providing (online) education. In addition, a knowledgeable support team is ready to assist you with all practical matters related to providing education. 

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Eric Tjong Tjin Tai, T.F.E.TjongTjinTai@tilburguniversity.edu..

Required documents:

• CV
• Cover/motivation letter (addressed to Prof. Eric Tjong Tjin Tai)
• Brief research proposal: use the format on this website. 
• Copy of master's degree or equivalent (or a provisional grades list, if you have not obtained your diploma yet.)
• A sample of written work (for example, a master's thesis)

We kindly invite you to apply before 31 March 2025; this can only be done online. 

Letter selection is scheduled on April 1st; you will receive notification from us shortly thereafter. The first selection interviews will take place on May 6th.  

The selection committee consists of: 

1. Prof. dr. Tjong Tjin Tai
2. Prof. dr. Anne Lafarre
3. Dr. Inge Graef

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on September 1, 2025. 

This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.