International and European Law

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Law Research Field Juridical sciences Comparative law Juridical sciences Environmental law Juridical sciences European law Juridical sciences International law Juridical sciences Judicial law Juridical sciences Private 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-2026-616 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 private freedom of contract and corporate law (including its SPVs) 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.
• The possibility to be part of a team of 8 researchers (six PhDs, one postdoc, and professor Van Calster) that will work together to achieve an internationally effective corporate ‘duty to stay’ and address past and current environmental, business and human rights, climate....liabilities, in the context of the highly reputable ERC Advanced Grants.
• Appointments to the PhD positions are for one year, thrice renewable (i.e. in principle 4 years).
• The possibility to be part of a team of 8 researchers (six PhDs, one postdoc, and professor Van Calster) that will work together to achieve an internationally effective corporate ‘duty to stay’ and address past and current environmental, business and human rights, climate....liabilities, in the context of the highly reputable ERC Advanced Grants.
• Appointments to the PhD positions are for one year, thrice renewable (i.e. in principle 4 years).

Eligibility criteria

• 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 jour