Ghent University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher and manager to join the interdisciplinary UNPACK project, focusing on the asylum procedure in Belgium. The position is based in the Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of European, Public and International Law, and is embedded within the Migration Law Research Group (MigrLaw), CESSMIR (Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees), the Human Rights Centre, and the Human Rights Research Network (HRRN). The UNPACK project, funded by iBOF, is a collaboration among Flemish universities and the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), aiming to investigate fairness in asylum procedures through the integration of linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and law.

The successful candidate will manage the project (50%), including developing methodological tools, organizing meetings, handling communication, supporting budget management, leading publication and valorization efforts, and reporting to funding bodies. The other 50% involves conducting legal and ethnographic research on the interpretation and application of asylum laws and regulations by various stakeholders. The research focus will be developed collaboratively with supervisors, co-researchers, and the asylum administration. The role requires extensive interdisciplinary teamwork, data sharing, and both collaborative and individual research, with reporting to academic and broader audiences.

Applicants must hold a PhD in Law, or a Master’s degree in Law with a PhD in a relevant social science discipline. Essential qualifications include in-depth knowledge of asylum laws and policies at national and European levels, experience with qualitative research methods (such as ethnographic research and interviews), research ethics, and data management in socio-legal research. High proficiency in Dutch or French and considerable fluency in the other language, as well as fluency in academic English, are required. Additional assets include knowledge of human rights, languages relevant to refugee communities, experience with vulnerable populations, interdisciplinary and collaborative research, publication editing, valorization and dissemination of research findings, and mentoring skills.

The position offers a contract of indefinite duration, with remuneration according to salary scale PD1 to PD4, and a comprehensive benefits package including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The contract is expected to start on 1 September 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the Ghent University e-recruitment system before 15 March 2026. Required documents include an academic CV (with two references), cover letter, transcript of the required degree, and a writing sample in English (up to 10,000 words). Late or email applications will not be considered. Selected candidates will be notified by 3 April and invited for in-person interviews in Ghent on 20-21 April or 4-5 May 2026.

For further information, contact Prof. Ellen Desmet at [email protected]. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy.