Institute for Labour Law

The Institute for Labour Law at KU Leuven is recruiting an advanced doctoral researcher in the field of sports law. The position is open for a phd student/research with an advanced phd research project which in its current status can be finalised within the contract period. The research is undertaken under the lead of Professor Frank Hendrickx and in close cooperation with other team members. The doctoral researcher will be embedded in the Faculty of Law and Criminology of KU Leuven, in particular in the Department of Labour and Social Security Law. The doctoral research project, entitled “The Legal Dimension of Labour Market Integrity in Sport (Football)”, forms part of DAiSI (Doctoral Training Network in Sport Ethics and Integrity), a research and doctoral training programme funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks scheme, pursuant to Grant Agreement No. 101120342 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01). The research project is undertaken within the framework of the DAiSI doctoral training network, with KU Leuven acting as the recruiting and host institution. It is conducted as a joint doctoral research project in cooperation with the Department of Sport and Social Sciences at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NIH), reflecting the programme’s international and interdisciplinary approach to doctoral research and training. The substantive focus of the doctoral research concerns the legal and regulatory dimensions of labour market integrity in professional football, situated within the broader objectives of the DAiSI programme concerning ethics and integrity in sport. Project
• You finalise your scientific PhD research in the described domain within the contract period. The research aims to lead to a doctoral degree (PhD).
• You work under the supervision of your promotor and co-promotor.
• You work in team with the other members of the Institute for Labour Law, iCERIS an LISS.
• You will work with other PhD candidates and colleagues within the research team and network.
• You contribute to collective activities of the research group (such as educational services, meetings, research proposals, master thesis supervision, revision of exams).
• You are integrated in the scientific service provision and team activities of the Institute for Labour Law and iCERIS, such as conferences and publications.
• You engage with the project partners and will visit the partners through the exchange periods provided in the project. Profile
• You are in the final stage of your PhD research and capable of finishing it within the contract period.
• You have done prior research in the required field, with demonstrable output.
• You are holder of a bachelor and a master degree in law and received excellent study results.
• You have a very good active knowledge of English, in (academic) reading, speaking and writing.
• You have good communication skills.
• You have the skills to analyse critically theoretical texts as well as legal research and to report about it.
• You have a social personality, you can communicate well and you have a fluent writing style.
• You can work independently, but also well in team and you take sufficient initiative.
• You are capable to bring scientific research under supervision to a good end.
• You are motivated and you show willingness to elaborate the conducted research to a doctorate.
• You have good organizational skills and can work independently and make decisions.
• You can work in an international multidisciplinary team Offer
• Full-time position for a fixed-term (6 months) as a doctoral bursary.
• A PhD position within an internationally leading multidisciplinary team with relevant experience and expertise. The research will take place at KU Leuven under supervision of Prof. Frank Hendrickx and with co-supervision of Prof. Sigmund Loland (from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences).
• You will be part of a strong team and work under the lead of Prof. Frank Hendrickx.
• We stand for qualitative education and for high level legal research, with attention for its societal relevance and with an openness towards other disciplines.
•

We offer
a stimulating and pleasant work environment, with the highest respect for academic freedom, engagement, critical thinking and personal development. https://www.kuleuven.be/iceris/daisi Interested? For more information please contact Prof. dr. Frank Hendrickx, mail: frank.hendrickx@kuleuven.be. You can apply for this job no later than November 19, 2026 via the online application tool KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
• Sollicitatieprocedure
• Arbeidsvoorwaarden
• Loopbaanmogelijkheden Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be Solliciteer voor deze functie