Ph.D. Candidate in Criminal Liability

Ph.D. Candidate: Criminal Liability of Multinational Corporations for Climate Damage in Light of European Obligations (1.0 FTE)

Position

We are seeking a Ph.D. candidate for the project “Criminal Liability of Multinational Corporations for Climate Damage in Light of European Obligations.” Over a period of four years, you will conduct PhD research under supervision. The aim is for your research to generate results relevant to Dutch society and legal practice. The research design will be developed in consultation with the supervisory team: Anne-Jetske Schaap, LL.M., Ph.D., Lucas Roorda, LL.M., Ph.D., and François Kristen, Ph.D., LL.M.

The doctoral research will be conducted within the framework of the Utrecht Centre for Accountability and Liability Law (UCALL) and the university’s strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability. UCALL is a group of researchers within the Department of Law at Utrecht University who jointly conduct multidimensional research into the possibilities and limitations of liability and responsibility for achieving certain societal goals. These goals are driven by societal needs for standard-setting, behavioral influence, and redress. The doctoral research focuses on the possibilities offered by Dutch criminal law to hold multinational corporations liable for climate damage in light of European obligations. For a more detailed description of the doctoral research, please refer to the research proposal, which is available upon request from Anne-Jetske Schaap, LL.M., Ph.D. (see contact details under 'additional information').

In addition to designing and conducting your own research, you will also be involved in sharing knowledge. To that end, you will participate in internal and external meetings related to research, and you will help organize such meetings.

Time will be set aside for your training and professional development, such as attending courses for doctoral students. And you will spend a small portion of your time gaining experience in teaching.

Profile

What do you bring to the table?

• You have a law degree. Knowledge of criminal law is required.
• You are interested in criminal law, EU law, and international legal instruments such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and you have an affinity for corporate law and issues related to climate damage.
• You are committed to conducting innovative and fundamental research and earning your Ph.D. based on that research within four years.
• You have strong research skills and are open to further improving them with the help of feedback from your supervisors.
• You enjoy being part of a team and demonstrate this by being open to collaboration in various settings, sharing knowledge and experiences, and contributing to a supportive, open, and inclusive work environment.
• You have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• You are willing to spend a small portion of your work time teaching.

Offer

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 18 months, with the possibility of an extension to four years, subject to satisfactory performance.
• a salary of €2,770 in the first year and €3,539 in the final year (scale P of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities), gross per month, for full-time employment;
• 8% vacation pay and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%;
• a pension plan, partially paid parental leave, and flexible working conditions based on the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment set forth in the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own regulations. For example, there are agreements regarding professional development, leave policies, and policies regarding sports and culture , and you receive discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the flexibility to expand your employment conditions through the Employment Conditions Choice Model. In this way, we encourage you to continue growing.

For more information, visit the "Careers at Utrecht University" page.

About the organization

A better future for everyone. This ambition drives our researchers to conduct cutting-edge research and provide inspiring education. AtUtrecht University, diverse disciplines collaborate closely on socially significant themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences, and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The faculty Law, Economics, Public Administration, and Organization (REBO) at Utrecht University is a unique combination of three departments: Law, Economics, and Public Administration and Organization. These three disciplines conduct both independent and collaborative teaching and research. This multidisciplinary approach makes the faculty a distinctive partner for high-level knowledge transfer.

The Department of Law is part of the REBO Faculty. “Law in Utrecht” stands for multi- and interdisciplinary research in and based on the main areas of law, as well as for intensive and varied legal education within a small-scale academic community. Education and research focus primarily on the core areas of law and the connections between them. The department aims to play an active and distinctive role through innovative legal research on topics relevant to both academia and society, as well as through challenging education that trains students to become legal professionals capable of leading social change.

We work with a diverse group of staff and students. We place great importance on creating a work environment where everyone is recognized and valued, feels comfortable speaking up, and is treated with respect. We ask all our staff to contribute to an open and inspiring work and learning environment for staff and students of all backgrounds. The faculty is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone, as outlined in the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy of Utrecht University.

Additional information

For more information, please contact Anne-Jetske Schaap (Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure) at a.l.m.schaap@uu.nl

Apply

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome staff members from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Are you interested in applying? Please submit your cover letter and resume via the application button.

In your cover letter, please explain what appeals to you about the topic of the PhD program. We also ask that you include a brief reflection of no more than two A4 pages in which you describe how you intend to address the research question and the two pillars of the PhD research.

Please respond by November 19, 2023.

* We are handling the recruitment for this position ourselves. Solicitation is not appreciated.