PhD in EU Labour Law and Living Wages at Tilburg University

Tilburg University Law School is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in 'Fostering Living Wages in the EU', located in Tilburg, The Netherlands. The position is housed in the Department of Private, Business & Labour Law (PBLL) and focuses on the implementation and impact of the EU Adequate Minimum Wages Directive (Directive 2022/2014), especially after its confirmation by the Court of Justice of the European Union in November 2025. The research aims to explore how EU labour law can ensure fair wages, strengthen collective bargaining, protect vulnerable workers, and address gender inequality and in-work poverty. Potential research topics include the adequacy of wages for part-time, young, and self-employed workers, the interaction between minimum wages and social/tax benefits, comparative analysis of collective bargaining systems, and the gender pay gap in relation to the EU Gender Pay Transparency Directive. The position is 80% research and 20% teaching, with a start date of 1 September 2026 and a duration of 48 months. Applicants must hold an LLM degree (or equivalent) in labour law, EU law, or a related field, with strong interest in EU labour law and social justice. Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills, C2-level English proficiency, and a good command of Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch are required. Candidates should be interested in teaching and supervising students, possess team spirit, initiative, and strong organizational skills. International candidates must meet the IND income threshold for scholarships. The position offers a gross monthly salary of €3,059–€3,881, 8% vacation pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, over 8 weeks of vacation, hybrid working allowances, sustainable commuting reimbursement, moving allowance, pension with ABP, and training opportunities. The application deadline is 27 February 2026. Required documents include a cover letter addressed to Dr. Inge Graef, CV, master's diploma, master's thesis, and the completed TIRO application form. Selection interviews will be held on 17 March 2026 and include a 5-minute research proposal presentation. For more information, contact Prof. dr. Mijke Houwerzijl at [email protected].