International and European Law

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Law Research Field Juridical sciences » Comparative law Juridical sciences » European law Juridical sciences » International law Juridical sciences » Private law Juridical sciences » Judicial law Researcher Profile Other Profession First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 25 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon 2020 Reference Number BAP-2026-603 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• This PhD project is one of 6 PhD positions currently advertised in the context of the ERC Advanced Grant for CONJURERS awarded to prof Geert Van Calster in the 2025 call. CONJURERS is an exciting opportunity for doctoral candidates in law to research in detail existing legal loopholes that facilitate the divestment of toxic assets, and to suggest solutions.
• This PhD will carry out a cross-jurisdictional root and branch examination of the ways in which corporations currently utilise restructuring and insolvency law to evade liability for toxic assets.
• Further particulars are available at the link above.
• You must have an LL.B. and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Candidates with a LL.M. degree only, must not apply.
• Candidates (particularly from common law countries) with an LL.B. degree only, may qualify provided they have documented research experience and /or relevant practice experience (i.e. proper legal practice in full-time employment, not just summer or other internships).
• You must provide documents demonstrating that you are proficient in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other languages, including but not limited to Dutch, is considered an asset.
• You must demonstrate specific interest, background, education and /or experience for this specific work package of CONJURERS, as further detailed in the link above.

Your tasks and opportunities will include:

• Completion and public defence of a PhD in Law as a monograph.
• Publication of intermediate research insights in the form of journal articles, book chapters, and shorter contributions such as blogposts. Some of these will be co-authored pieces with the principal investigator (Prof Van Calster), the postdoc and other team members.
• Contribution to the outreach of the project, including podcasts and blogs.
• Public speaking and public engagement, including in international academic networks, with the associated travel.
• Individual focus and organisation alongside contribution to CONJURERS as a team and project.
• Opportunities for limited research supervision and teaching of graduate (Master of Laws) students, in the areas of private international law, international trade and investment law, international business law and environmental policy.

• You must have an LL.B. and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Candidates with a LL.M. degree only, must not apply.
• Candidates (particularly from common law countries) with an LL.B. degree only, may qualify provided they have documented research experience and /or relevant practice experience (i.e. proper legal practice in full-time employment, not just summer or other internships).
• You must provide documents demonstrating that you are proficient in written and spoken English. Knowledge of other languages, including but not limited to Dutch, is considered an asset.
• You must demonstrate specific interest, background, education and /or experience for this specific work package of CONJURERS, as further detailed in the link above.

Your tasks and opportunities will include:

• Completion and public defence of a PhD in Law as a monograph.
• Publication of intermediate research insights in the form of journal articles, book chapters, and shorter contributions such as blogposts. Some of these will be co-authored pieces with the principal investigator (Prof Van Calster), the postdoc and other team members.
• Contribution to the outreach of the project, including podcasts and blogs.
• Public speaking and public engagement, including in international academic networks, with the associated travel.
• Individual focus and organisation alongside contribution to CONJURERS as a team and project.
• Opportunities for limited research supervision and teaching of graduate (Master of Laws) students, in the areas of private international law, international trade and investment law, international business law and environmental policy.