Are you interested in the weakening of democracies and the growing economic power and political influence of corporations? In finding out how states exercise control over economic actors to safeguard democratic processes and principles, and human rights? Do you have a background in law or political science and do you get excited about empirical methods and interdisciplinary collaboration? Then this position might be the perfect fit for you!

This two-year, full-time postdoctoral position is part of the EU-funded Horizon project REBALANCE (Rebalancing disruptivE Business in multinAtional corporations and gLobal value chAins within a democratic and iNClusive citizEnship process) led by the University of Pisa, together with the Hertie School, the University of Bath, Stockholm University, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Source International and Wageningen University Law Group. The REBALANCE project investigates how large companies have contributed to past and present threats to democracy and how they can promote future democracy-enhancing business models and alternative organizational forms.

This postdoctoral position is part of Work Package 3 on "Past and Present Threats to democracy: how business organizations shape democratic institutions and values", led by the Law group of the Wageningen University. Work Package 3 aims to investigate how the business sector has contributed to past and present threats to democracy, with a special focus on how democratic institutions govern the business sector both in EU member states and in post-soviet countries. The Law group REBALANCE team consists of Dr Nadia Bernaz, Dr Chiara Macchi and Dr Olena Uvarova.

Your tasks:

• Elaborating qualitative research protocols, conducting empirical research and desk-based research;
• Co-producing and publishing papers and policy briefs, in collaboration with other Law group and REBALANCE researchers;
• Supporting the Law group REBALANCE team in liaising with other work package leaders and coordinating our work package; and
• Supporting the organization of REBALANCE events such as meetings, workshops, a conference and a Summer School on Business and Democracy;
• Presenting the research results in international academic and non-academic fora.

The research is embedded within the LAW chair Group at WUR, led by prof.dr.mr. Josephine van Zeben. The Law Group focusses on legal solutions to social problems, including those studied in life sciences domains. These issues touch on every aspect of the law, which means that we have collective expertise on matters relating to EU law, food law, environmental law, international law, WTO law, intellectual property law, private law and human rights law. The research of the group is strongly international and interdisciplinary, with faculty and students from all over the world.

(1) Essential

• a completed PhD in EU, public, international or comparative law, or international relations/political science.
• an emerging publishing record in peer reviewed academic literature;
• strong empirical (legal) research skills;
• demonstrable interest in the issues REBALANCE aims to tackle;
• excellent communication and social skills;
• for this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level (https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale )

(2) Desirable

• A working knowledge of another EU language and/or Ukrainian/Russian or a language spoken in another post-soviet country.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.960,- per month according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale 10). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,200 employees (6,400 fte) and 13,200 students and over 150.000 participants to WUR's Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.