PhD Position in Law

Institution: University of Amsterdam (UvA) – Amsterdam Law School
Research Center: Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG)
Degree Level: PhD / Master’s completed
Closing Date: April 12, 2026
Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month

About the Project

Are you interested in doing an interdisciplinary PhD research project across law and social science? Are you curious about how EU law and governance shape European markets and societies? Do you believe that we can positively shape major economic transformations (globalization, technological change, climate change, and green transitions) by recognizing and addressing the losses they generate?

The GovLoss-EU project studies the experiences of loss caused by economic transformations linked to globalization, technological, and climate change. These processes may create “losers” – workers, businesses, and consumers – whose livelihoods or values are affected. Examples include:

• Small shops facing digital commerce

• Automotive workers affected by robotization or industry decline

• Web developers displaced by AI tools

• Fisheries or farmers impacted by biodiversity loss

The project aims to study legal and regulatory arrangements through which losses can be addressed in various industries, including:

• Automotive industry

• Agriculture and fisheries

• Consumer services (retail, tourism)

Each PhD candidate may focus on one industry or multiple case studies, in consultation with supervisors.

Research Themes & Questions

• Who are the “losers” in different transformation processes? What do they lose, and what are their concerns and demands?

• What normative arguments justify assisting “losers”? Which types of losses or categories of losers deserve assistance and in what forms?

• Are there legal and regulatory arrangements that address loss? Relevant fields include EU economic law, welfare law, Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policy, labor law, administrative law, and national private law.

• How does the governance of loss work in practice? How is it implemented, and what are its unintended consequences?

Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will:

• Develop your PhD project within the framework of the GovLoss-EU project, supervised by Giacomo Tagiuri and a supervisory team

• Contribute to the overall project research and dissemination (data collection, publications, disciplinary expertise)

• Conduct field research for 4–8 weeks in one or more European Member States

• Engage in teaching (up to 10%) and organizational support for the project leader

Fieldwork methods may include qualitative interviews, ethnography, and archival/historical research.

Candidate Profile

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences, or humanities (e.g., law, sociology, anthropology, history, political science, economics, philosophy)

• Knowledge or curiosity about EU law and governance

• Experience or passion for academic research and writing

• Excellent command of English; knowledge of a second European language is advantageous

• Training or experience in qualitative social science methods is a plus

• Willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary socio-legal project

Employment Details

• Temporary employment: 38 hours per week, maximum 4 years leading to a PhD

• Contract start: 1 September 2026 (1-year contract initially, extendable to 31 August 2030 after positive assessment)

• Salary: €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month (full 38-hour week), plus 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% year-end allowance

• 30% ruling may apply for non-Dutch applicants

Work Environment

• Participate in the Amsterdam Law School’s PhD training programme

• Research contribution to ACELG and the Department of International and European Public Law

• Department of ~50 staff, teaching in English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs

• Part of a dynamic, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research culture

Application Procedure

Submit your application online by April 12, 2026, including:

1. CV including master thesis title and list of publications

2. Motivation letter (max. 500 words)

3. Provisional research project (1,000–2,500 words) within the GovLoss-EU framework: preferred industries/sectors, transformation processes, and methodologies

4. Writing sample: recent single-authored paper (article, thesis, or equivalent) in English

5. Transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s degrees

6. Contact details of two referees (no letters required at this stage)

Note: Only two PDF files can be uploaded; combine documents accordingly.

For inquiries, contact:
Giacomo Tagiuri
Email: g.tagiuri@uva.nl

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy

• Committed to a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming environment

• Encourages applications even if candidates do not meet 100% of requested experience

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com