Doctoral researchers (PhD) in Law and Political Science

About the FDEF

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) at the University of Luxembourg offers a unique academic and research environment.

Rooted in Luxembourg but with a European and international outlook, teaching and research benefit from the proximity of the European institutions, Luxembourg’s leading international financial centre and its vibrant business community. Institutional and private sector partnerships, sponsored Chairs and a growing network of international partner universities make the FDEF a dynamic academic hub at the heart of Europe.

Your role

The Department of Law of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) and the Department of Social Sciences of the Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Science (FHSE) of the University of Luxembourg are opening various funded PhD positions, in the framework of the Doctoral Training Unit on Green and Digital Transitions in the Single Market (DTU-GREITMA)on the following topics:

• The impact of green and digital transitions on the Single Market’s essential components and their transformative effect. The research might focus on the impact of the green and digital transitions on : the enablers of the functioning of the Single Market such as public procurement (supervisor: Prof. Luca Ratti) and intellectual property (supervisor: Prof. Martin Stierle); market actors via concepts in European business law (supervisor: Prof. Thomas Mastrullo) ; the energy market (in particular the analysis of the greening of the European energy market using political sciences methods, under the supervision of Prof. Anna-Lena Högenauer)
• The regulatory scheme on which the green and digital transitions are based and the use of the Single Market as a normative corridor for standard setting. The research might focus on: the exercise of EU regulatory powers addressing digitalisation challenges (supervisor: Prof. Herwig Hofmann); the impact of national tax measures pursuing environmental objectives and promoting green economy on the Single Market (supervisor: Prof. Aikaterini Pantazatou); consumer education and sustainable consumption in the digital market (supervisor: Prof. Elise Poillot); the external dimension of the European value-based regulation in the Digital Single Market and the impact of the EU digital rulebook beyond the territory of the Union, as a regulatory role model (supervisor: Prof. Mark Cole); the impact of the twin transition in the Single Market on the international position of the Union as a global actor, in particular the use of trade instruments and investment protection mechanisms as projection of the EU human- centric values as developed in the EU regulatory framework (supervisor: Prof. Eleftheria Neframi)
• The enforcement of the Single Market’s rules as a key element of maintaining a level playing field and as an expression of the normative interactions that occur in a multi-level governance structure. The research might focus on: the digitalization of justice in the enforcement of Single Market rules (supervisor: Prof. Silvia Allegrezza); the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg as ‘laboratory’ for the study of the transformative effect(s) of the twin transitions on the four freedoms of movement and on enforcement challenges, in particular the role of public agencies entrusted with the enforcement of the Single Market rules (supervisor: Prof. Jörg Gerkrath); the role of the private sector, including the financial sector, in enforcement against environmental crime, with a focus on the interplay between punitive and compliance frameworks and the impact of these enforcement duties on companies (supervisor: Prof. Stanislaw Tosza) as well as issues that concern judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the context of a multi-level governance structure (supervisor: Prof. Katalin Ligeti)

Your profile

We are looking for candidates with demonstrated interest in EU law and European studies. In particular, the following requirements apply:

• A Master’s Degree in Law or Political Science
• Have the linguistic skills to evolve in a multilingual environment: fluency in either English or French, good understanding of the second language and possibly a third language, German in particular, will be considered an advantage
• Strong communication and writing skills

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

How to apply

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system and include:

• A motivation letter, mentioning the topic you want to work on
• A detailed curriculum vitae with list of publications and copies thereof, if applicable
• A transcript of concluded university studies
• The name, current position and relationship to the applicant, of one referee

For more information on the positions, please refer to the individual advertisements or contact the supervising professor.

We encourage early application, as the applications will be processed upon reception. To ensure full consideration, candidates should apply by 10 October 2024. Applications by email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Luxembourg (Kirchberg/Belval)
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL06690 / DTU-GREITMA

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time).

In particular, we offer:

• An exciting international and multilingual research environment and the possibility to work within a research team focused on EU law and European integration studies
• Personal workspace
• Training activities (events, lectures, and conferences) offered by the Doctoral School in Law, with a DTU-GREITMA specific training programme
• Travel opportunities for training and learning
• The University offers highly competitive salaries and is an equal opportunity employer

Further information

For information on this doctoral programme see here. These positions will not all be opened simultaneously; the recruitments will occur in successive waves.

The thesis work will be undertaken at the University of Luxembourg but can also be jointly supervised with another university. The suggested themes will be specified via individual announcements, the candidates are, however, welcome to suggest any other topic within the overarching project theme. The doctoral candidates will contribute to the teaching of classes and/or the coaching of a moot court team.

The doctoral researchers will benefit from being part of a large research group comprising several PhDs and Postdoctoral Researchers working on related topics in the field of European integration studies. Being part of the project will allow the doctoral researchers to enhance their knowledge-base and experience; working on the various aspects of the project will not only strengthen their academic profile, but also give them access to (and the chance to critically engage with) some of the most renowned experts in the field.

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