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EURAXESS

PhD Position (full-time, 4 years)

The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers
18 Jan 2024

Job Information

Organisation/Company
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR)
Research Field
Cultural studies
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Country
Netherlands
Application Deadline
Type of Contract
Permanent
Job Status
Not Applicable
Hours Per Week
40.0
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No

Offer Description

The Climate justice before courts project:

Courts have become a major actor in disputes about climate justice. In the past decade, the world has experienced an important increase in the number and influence of climate litigation cases, with the Urgenda and Neubauer vs. Germany as the leading and to-date most relevant European cases. These cases have showcased a live dispute concerning the appropriate role of courts in the determination of emissions pathways.

Although judicial discretion has occupied philosophers of law in the past, in light of some of the salient characteristics of climate change, such as its emergency and its potential life-threatening consequences, it might be relevant to examine what the appropriate role of courts should be in the context of climate policies. Moreover, since most climate litigation cases are strategic litigation cases and this form of litigation usually raises legitimacy concerns, an investigation into the legitimacy of strategic litigation, its compatibility with democracy and its desirability in the context of climate change is also timely. Furthermore, climate litigation cases have been based on different normative grounds (human rights, ecocentric approaches, etc.), but their normative differences and the consequences of this fact have not been yet investigated. Finally, on a more theoretical level, there is still a research gap concerning the appropriate epistemic standards of proof in climate litigation cases.

The envisioned PhD project will engage with the topic of political and legal philosophy in relation to the appropriate role of courts in climate policymaking. Although the candidate will work mostly with the methods of legal and political philosophy, they are also expected to engage with legal theory and legal sociological discussions concerning the topic, as well as with European and international climate litigation cases.

The PhD-position is located within the Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil) and part of the Erasmus Institute for Philosophy and Economics (EIPE). EIPE has a good number of colleagues doing research in climate change, climate justice and ethics with whom the PhD researcher would have the opportunity to collaborate, including their supervisor (dr. Laura García-Portela), dr. Constanze Binder and dr. Conrad Heilmann.Moreover, collaboration would also be possible with the colleagues at the Erasmus School of Law (ESL). Beyond the EUR, the candidate will be encouraged to collaborate with influential NGOs in the Netherlands, such as Urgenda.

Job description
The candidate's primary responsibility will be to conduct research and write a PhD thesis. The candidate should also contribute to development of the field of climate justice in other ways, such as by giving scholarly presentations and co-organizing reading groups and workshops. Furthermore, the PhD candidate will become part of a large and diverse community of PhD candidates, and is expected to contribute as a junior lecturer to the Erasmus School of Philosophy’s (ESPhil) educational programme.

Requirements

Specific Requirements

We are looking for a motivated PhD candidate with the following background and skills:

  • BA and/or MA in Philosophy, Political Science, Law, Sociology or related disciplines, with strong interest in and ability for undertaking philosophical research.
  • Interest in broad questions within climate ethics/justice
  • Interest in collaborative and interdisciplinary work, especially between law, political theory, sociology, and philosophy.
  • Willingness to move to the Netherlands and integrate oneself in the academic environment at ESPhil and EUR
  • Good writing, oral, and organizational skills
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English (at least C1 level)

Additional Information

Benefits

We offer you an internationally oriented and varied job in an enthusiastic team, with excellent working conditions in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU).

The start date of this position is 01-APR-2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. This position is for 0.8 fte - 1 fte FTE. The salary ranges from a minimum of € 2.770 to a maximum of € 3.539 gross per month Scale PhD on a fulltime basis (38 hours), in accordance with the CAO-NU. The contract is entered into for the duration of four years.

Everything else we offer you, you can find below!

Selection process

To apply, please submit your application, no later than February 19 The application package should include the following files in PDF format:

  • CV (without picture), including your e-mail and the e-mail addresses of two academic referees.
  • A motivation letter (max. 2 pages) including a brief sketch of the envisioned PhD project or ideas related to the PhD project.
  • Writing sample in English (a short coursework essay or thesis chapter, no less than 2,000 and no more than 5,000 words).(upload this under the section 'research proposal')

The selection procedure consists of at least one interview. Interviews are expected to be held before the end of February. Applicants will be notified by February 23, 2024 whether they are selected for the interviews. Interviews will be held on the 1st of March.

You can find more information about the EUR on our website www.eur.nl. For more information about this vacancy, please contact Laura Garcia-Portela via garciaportela@esphil.eur.nl.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Persons of all gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, ages, neurodiversities, functional impairments, citizenships, or any other aspect are welcome to apply and join the EUR community.

Website for additional job details

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available
1
Company/Institute
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Country
Netherlands
City
Rotterdam
Postal Code
3062PA
Street
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
Geofield

Contact

City
Rotterdam
Website
Street
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
Postal Code
3062 PA