Researcher in private international law

Established in 1965, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut is an independent and internationally renowned research centre in international and European law, affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. The Asser Institute’s mission is to contribute to the development of international and European public and private law. We achieve this by:  

  • Independent legal research: We conduct fundamental, policy-oriented, and applied legal research in international and European public and private law.  
  • Knowledge dissemination: We initiate and facilitate academic and expert meetings, (professional) education, and public events aimed at disseminating knowledge of international and European public and private law. We further share our legal knowledge by adding to the public debate.   

The institute invites applications for a Researcher in Private International Law (0.6 FTE) to strengthen our research capacity in private international law, working within our research strand 'Transnational public interests: constituting public interest beyond and below the state', and in the context of our institute-wide Strategic Research Agenda. 

Tasks and Responsibilities 
As a researcher, you are expected to: 

  • coordinate, develop and carry out externally funded research projects, and publish in top international journals;  
  • be able to provide legal opinion on matters of private international and comparative law;  
  • participate in knowledge dissemination activities; 
  • have an active interest in other work in the research strand in specific and within the research department; 
  • participate in the institute’s cooperation with the Internationaal Juridisch Instituut (IJI); 
  • potentially participate in editing the journal NIPR (Nederlands Internationaal Privaatrecht).   

We are looking for someone with:

  • a completed PhD in private international law, and preferably post-doctoral research experience; 
  • broad knowledge of private international law, preferably in commercial and family law-related matters; 
  • high quality academic publications in private international law; 
  • a strong international network;  
  • organisational and communications skills;  
  • experience in applying for external funding for research projects;  
  • writing and speaking fluency in English; 
  • professional working proficiency in Dutch is a plus.  

Our offer 
We offer an appointment for 22.8 hours a week (0.6 FTE) for the period of one year with a probationary period of two months, preferably starting from 1 September 2024, with the prospect of a permanent employment agreement. Extension of the appointment is subject to satisfactory performance after the first year. Remuneration depends on the actual level of education, experience, and knowledge, and amounts to a minimum of €4,332 and a maximum of €5,929 gross per month for full-time work, excluding a holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten) is applicable. The UFO Salary scale 11 applies to this position. A temporary reduction in income tax (equal to 30% of taxable salary) may apply to non-Dutch candidates. You will be employed by the University of Amsterdam, Faculty of Law, but seconded to the T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague. Only candidates with permission to work in the Netherlands will be considered.   

What else do we offer you? 

  • An inspiring, international, and diverse work environment with great colleagues; 
  • 29 days' holiday at full employment and extra holidays between Christmas and the New Year;
  • Excellent work facilities;
  • Pension accrual with ABP;
  • Excellent study and development opportunities. 

Application Procedure 
Interested candidates who are eligible to live and work in the Netherlands may submit the required documents in English by email only to po@asser.nl, mentioning “Researcher in Private International Law” in the subject line. The deadline to submit applications is Monday 8 July 2024 10:00 CEST.  

Applications should include: 

  • a current CV; 
  • a letter of motivation, including a brief description of the research you would be interested in pursuing at Asser (with an indication of subject, context, method, etc.) in the context of the Asser Strategic Research Agenda; 
  • a sample work of maximum 25 pages (e.g. a published paper); 
  • two letters of recommendation (in pdf). 

Further information can be obtained from Dr Christophe Paulussen, Acting Academic Director of the T.M.C. Asser Instituut (e-mail: c.paulussen@asser.nl). 

While we appreciate all expressions of interest, only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Employment agencies should not submit applications.