Post-Doctoral Researcher in International Law and Literary Methodologies

The Department of Public Law and Governance is seeking a post-doctoral candidate to contribute to two projects that use literature and literary methodologies to encounter and analyze reforms in and emerging aspects of international law. The researcher will have the opportunity to contribute to an innovative research line in the study of international law. 

This post-doctoral position contributes to two research projects that approach transforming aspects of international law through a literary lens. The first project examines the reform process of international economic law by examining literary interventions on themes dealt with in the reform process, with particular consideration of silenced voices and overlooked issues in the process. The second project focuses on the role of AI in international decision-making processes, considering the capacity of AI to render decisions that capture morality and reasonableness. Both projects intend to build on existing law and literature methodologies and carve new approaches with the tools available. 

The position will involve significant research and writing on these issues. A foundational knowledge of international economic law and the structures of international law more generally will be essential. Part of the research benefits from a basic understanding of AI or the willingness to learn necessary skills with trained university staff. Foundationally, the research will require an interest in literature and methods used in literary criticism.    

The position is based in the Department of Public Law and Governance at Tilburg Law School as part of a small team of researchers. The department is a dynamic mix of academics working in areas of both domestic and international law. The research environment is well-supported with excellent library resources and several active seminar series.

We consider the following qualifications important for the position.

• You have completed a PhD in law or literature (or a related discipline). Approval of your PhD manuscript by your supervisors at the time of applying will be considered sufficient. (This is a strict requirement.)
• You have an interest in, or experience with, the role of literary methods as a tool for approaching legal research.
• You have interest in, or experience with, the use of large language models as part of research.
• You have experience or affinity with working in a multidisciplinary environment.
• You feel comfortable working in a team and express this through collaboration, sharing knowledge and experiences, and contributing to an open and inclusive work environment.
• You have the ability to conduct research at the postdoctoral level.
• You have an excellent written and spoken command of English (at a C1 level), as demonstrated by publications and conference presentations in English. Capacity in other languages is also highly valued. It is an advantage if you have a good command of the Dutch language, but it is not a strict requirement.  

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 0.8-1.0 FTE (32-40 hours per week).
• A salary of minimum €4,537 and maximum €6,209 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 and salary scale 11. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy whose work is temporarily funded on the basis of temporary external funding or co-financing, in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 sub a CLA DU, namely NWO XS Grant on AI Decision-Making in International Law and Dutch Government-funded Starter Grant on International Economic Law in the Law and Literature Framework. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months in a single contract.
• 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.

About Tilburg Law School
Tilburg Law School is internationally recognized as a leading school in Law and Public Administration. Year after year the school ranks amongst the best schools in the world (e.g. Times Higher Education Rankings).

About the Department of Public Law and Governance

The Department of Public Law and Governance is a highly international and dynamic department that brings together researchers in various fields, including International Law, European law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Public Administration, Legal Philosophy, Political Science, Legal History and Jurisprudence. Research in the department is concentrated within the theme Global Law and Governance, which hosts and facilitates projects in the area of law and governance. The research takes as its starting point societal challenges, further globalization and increasing inequalities, the growing importance of social media, and migration. These problems are developed based on four broad themes: 

• Globalization: In- and Exclusion
• Law and Governance in the Anthropocene
• Innovation and Trust in the Democratic Rule of Law
• Urban Constitutionalism and Governance