PhD student Human rights, democracy, the rule of law

Karlstad University; Hasselt; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research university in Belgium is seeking a PhD student to focus on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The candidate will prepare a doctoral dissertation, publish research, and engage in teaching tasks. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Law and demonstrate a strong motivation for research. The position includes a scholarship for up to 4 years. Applications are due by 5 January 2026.

Prestations

Doctoral scholarship for 2 years, renewable

Budget for attending conferences

Workplace at Hasselt University city campus

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Law (or equivalent).
• Strong motivation for research.
• Can demonstrate capability of publishing scientific papers.
• Commitment to quality.
• Ability to plan work proactively and independently.
• Creativity in your approach.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Willing to follow a training in teaching skills.

Responsabilités

• Prepare and defend a doctoral dissertation.
• Publish in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Participate in academic conferences.
• Take on teaching and support tasks.
• Participate in the doctoral school.

Connaissances

Strong motivation for research

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Ability to plan work proactively and independently

Creativity in approach

Teamwork skills

Formation

Master’s degree in Law or equivalent

Description du poste

PhD student Human rights, democracy, the rule of law

Background

Having an impact on the switch to a more sustainable and resilient society, from a legal perspective, in the region and far beyond, is what we aim for. To achieve this, we combine our research in the research group CORe (Centre for Government and Law). We focus mainly on the relations between citizens and the government with a special emphasis on resilience and sustainability. We opt for high-quality research in selected core areas and believe in the added value of multidisciplinarity. More information about our research activities and our team, which includes about 15 professors, 40 PhD students and an enthusiastic support staff, can be found on CORe's website. Besides high-quality research, we of course also consider high-quality and innovative education very important. In an academic bachelor's and master's degree programme in Law, in collaboration with KU Leuven and Maastricht University, we train students to become creative and problem‑solving legal professionals. We do this through assignment‑ and problem‑based learning and always with an open view on society. Both our workplaces and classrooms can be found on the UHasselt city campus, in the renovated Old Prison near Dusartplein. This site is easily accessible by public transport.

Job content

As a PhD student, you will prepare and defend a doctoral dissertation. Your PhD research will focus on human rights and/or democracy and/or the rule of law, approaching these topics from a self‑chosen perspective that engages with recent developments in a socio‑legal context.

The concrete topic and methodology will be determined in consultation between you and your supervisor. Therefore, you are expected to include a research proposal with your application. You will publish in peer‑reviewed (inter)national scientific books and journals and actively participate in (inter)national academic conferences within your research domain. You are also open to conducting research stays abroad and contribute to research proposals and workshops.

You will take on a limited package of teaching and support tasks (for example: supervising tutorial groups, mentoring theses, participating in information sessions for prospective students, exam invigilation, or representing PhD candidates on committees). To this end, you will follow training in teaching skills. Finally, you will participate in the doctoral school.

Profile

• Master’s degree in Law (or equivalent).
• Strong motivation for research.
• You have distinguished yourself during your studies or can demonstrate that you are capable of publishing scientific papers.
• Commitment to quality.
• You are able to plan your work proactively and independently, identify opportunities, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Creativity in your approach.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• You function well in a team. Your commitment is demonstrated, among other things, by sufficient presence on our campus.
• You are willing to follow a training in teaching skills.

You will receive a doctoral scholarship for 2 years, renewable once for another 2 years upon a positive interim evaluation. You will be provided with a workplace at the Hasselt University city campus (Oude Gevangenis), IT equipment and a budget for attending scientific conferences in Belgium and abroad.

Selection procedure

You can only apply online up to and including 05 January 2026.

The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview. The interview will likely take place during the week of 12 January 2026. Please include with your application in English a motivation letter (max. 1 A4 page) stating the title of your research proposal, a CV (max. 2 A4 pages) and a research proposal (max. 4 A4 pages) on human rights, democracy and/or the rule of law. The themes are broad, but must be related to international and/or European law. Possible topics include (but are not limited to): the Mario Draghi report, the EU Green Deal, critical raw materials, geopolitics in the EU's external relations, import restrictions on products made with forced labour, the right to sport, sustainability in free trade agreements, social movements, etc. Include the following sections in your proposal: state‑of‑the‑art, knowledge gap, objectives, research questions, timeliness, innovation, planning and methodology. These formal requirements must be strictly observed.

Further information

Prof. dr. Aleydis NISSEN, [e-mail]

For questions about the selection procedure, please email [e-mail].

Job details

Title: PhD student Human rights, democracy, the rule of law

Closing on: 2025-12-15 (Europe/Brussels)

Hasselt University is open to and offers opportunities for talent of every kind, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, nationality, disability or age.