Postdoctoral Researcher

For the NWO SSH M project “Enhancing supply chain sustainability: the role of transparency and due diligence” we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to research on supply chain due diligence regulations. The goal is to produce both fundamental research on the supply chain consequences of due diligence and transparency and develop practical knowledge on the implementation of recent regulations in the EU. 

Your position
This project investigates the impact of mandatory transparency and corporate due diligence requirements on supply chain sustainability. Although regulators frequently tout the benefits of transparency as a policy tool to increase sustainability, there is mixed evidence on its efficacy. Moreover, recent developments such as the Omnibus package call into question the extent to which recently established supply chain due diligence and transparency requirements, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in the European Union, will be effectively implemented. These developments highlight the need to understand the effectiveness of such mandates.

Within this project, your main task is to help analyze the country-level implementation of the CSDDD in the European Union (see e.g., http://www.eu-regulations.com/) and study the reporting and economic effects of due diligence requirements. The project will also involve data collection and analysis using natural language processing (NLP) techniques to develop a more comprehensive overview of supply chain disclosures. 
You will be working with Prof. Edith Leung and Dr. Bjarne Brié, members of the Department of Accounting at the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM), and Dr. Jochen Pierk from the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE). The job also provides room to explore new ideas within the context of this project and its deliverables. The position will include a teaching task, which will be consistent with the role of a postdoctoral researcher.

Tilburg University believes that academic excellence is achieved through the combination of outstanding research and education, in which social impact is made by sharing knowledge. We recognize that excellence is achieved through team effort and individual skills. 

More specifically, we are looking for a candidate who:

• Has a PhD degree or is near completion of a PhD degree in accounting, finance, or related fields.
• Has demonstrated experience in research through publications in international journals and/or conferences.
• Has affinity with the topic of accounting transparency, sustainability, and supply chains.
• Has demonstrated experience analyzing textual data using NLP or other machine learning techniques.
• Has excellent English-language academic communication skills (both written and oral) – CEFR level C2. Dutch language skills are not a prerequisite.
• Has the ability to independently carry out research and collaborate within a team.
• Can efficiently explore and adopt new subject matter.

What do we offer?
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based 1 FTE (40 hours per week).
• A salary of minimum € 4,728 and maximum € 6,433 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 and salary scale 11 (provided that you have obtained your PhD degree by the start date of employment). 
  Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant education and work experience.
• This is a vacancy is for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 under b of the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 36 months / 3 years.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks (41 days) of vacation leave (for a 1 FTE appointment).
• The opportunity for hybrid work (from Tilburg campus and partly from home).
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation.
• A monthly internet fee of €25.
• An Options Model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or a subscription of (personal) training at our own Sports Center.
• A pension with ABP; a sustainable Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research or a language course at our Language Center.
• An inclusive work culture: everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

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

Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) is the university largest faculty.  TiSEM offers well reputed academic research and education. Its research belongs to the European top. The education programs, of which the majority are offered completely in English, are on the international map with the AACSB accreditation awarded in 2002. Employees and students form an ambitious international community.

Tilburg School of Economics and Management

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Prof. Edith Leung at p.y.e.leung@tilburguniversity.edu 

We invite you to apply before January 31, 2026; this can only be done online. 

To make a good selection, we ask you to provide the following documents: 

• A cover letter addressed to Prof. Edith Leung, explaining your fit with the position. 
• An up-to-date CV reporting your academic and professional activities and scholarly output.
• An official copy of your highest university degree (and, if your PhD is not finished yet, expected date of completion).
• Transcript of academic records/grades list for your PhD/(Research) Master’s degree.
• Your job market paper, and one or two other research papers.
• Make sure that at least two letters of reference are submitted on your behalf and have them sent by the referee to accounting-tisem@tilburguniversity.edu 

Ask your referees to use ‘Letter of reference for postdoc NWO SSH M – [your name]’ as the subject of the email. The referenceletters must be submitted within two weeks of your application.