Tine Destrooper

Ghent University, a top 100 institution in Belgium, invites applications for a fully funded doctoral fellowship in the Department of European, Public and International Law. The position is based at the Human Rights Centre within the Faculty of Law and Criminology, renowned for its expertise in human rights law and interdisciplinary research. The successful candidate will join a collaborative research project focused on 'Innovation and documentation in transitional justice,' with a specific emphasis on grassroots initiatives documenting violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the Philippines. The project aims to theorize the role of documentation in transitional justice, especially in contexts where formal mechanisms are absent and grassroots actors drive justice efforts. The research will employ a mixed-method, actor-oriented approach to analyze how documentation shapes transitional justice responses, moving beyond traditional frameworks to center the practices of those most affected by violence. The candidate will have the opportunity to contribute their own topical and methodological expertise, provided it aligns with the broader research logic for cross-case analysis. Co-supervised by Professor Dr. Tine Destrooper (Ghent University) and Professor Dr. Bono Olgado (HURIDOCS and University of the Philippines), the doctoral fellow will work closely with the Justice Visions team, the Human Rights Centre, and the Human Rights Research Network at Ghent University. The position requires on-site presence in Ghent due to the highly collaborative nature of the project. The initial contract is for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months upon successful completion of first-year requirements. The fellowship covers 100% of the net salary of an AAP member, is tax-free, and includes staff benefits such as training opportunities, generous holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Applicants must hold a MA, MSc, or LLM in law, social sciences, anthropology, or a related field, preferably with a focus on human rights or transitional justice. Fluency in English and the language relevant to the case study is required. Candidates with familiarity with transitional justice practice, knowledge of the Philippines’ context, multidisciplinary training, and experience with legal and socio-legal research methods are preferred. The ability to work independently and collaboratively, strong academic writing and presentation skills, and willingness to relocate to Belgium are essential. To apply, submit a single PDF containing a cover letter, CV, research statement, degree transcript, academic recommendation letter, and writing sample to [email protected] by March 15, 2026. The selection process includes a written assignment and interview. Ghent University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from minority and under-represented groups. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026. This opportunity offers a unique chance to contribute to innovative research in transitional justice, engage with leading scholars, and develop expertise in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment at one of Europe’s premier universities.

Ghent University is offering a fully funded PhD position focused on redress for colonial injustice in Belgium, based at the Justice Visions team within the Human Rights Centre, Faculty of Law and Criminology. The project is part of the FWO-funded initiative "Reckoning with Belgium’s colonial past: Towards a better understanding of interconnected (truth) initiatives and their contribution to redress." The research will examine the complex ecosystem of initiatives—material, symbolic, institutional, and relational—aimed at addressing colonial harm in Belgium. Candidates will analyze how various actors, including grassroots organizations, civil society, and institutions, pursue and negotiate redress, and how these efforts interact and shape broader social change. The ideal candidate will have an MA, MSc, or LLM in law, social or political sciences, anthropology, or a related discipline, with an interdisciplinary background preferred. Familiarity with debates on historical injustice, redress, repair, and epistemic authority is essential, as is a grounded understanding of Belgium’s colonial history and its ongoing impact. Experience with empirical research methods (qualitative interviews, participant observation, document and network analysis) is expected. The project values participatory research practices and encourages applications from candidates with lived experience or activism related to colonialism, especially those from vulnerable or minority groups. The position is fully funded for up to four years (12 months initial, renewable for 36 months upon satisfactory progress). The PhD researcher will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Tine Destrooper and Dr. Cira Pallí-Asperó, with opportunities to collaborate with the Justice Visions team and the Human Rights Research Network. The researcher will have flexibility to shape their case study and research design within the project’s framework, and will be expected to participate in team meetings, doctoral training, and related academic activities. On-site presence at Ghent University is required. Applications are due by March 15, 2026. For full details and application instructions, visit the official Ghent University vacancy page. For questions, contact [email protected].

Ghent University’s Human Rights Centre is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship as part of the Justice Visions project. This opportunity is ideal for candidates passionate about human rights, transitional justice, and innovative documentation, with a particular focus on grassroots initiatives in the Philippines. The project is interdisciplinary, bridging law, social sciences, anthropology, and human rights practice, and aims to study the role of documentation in transitional justice, especially in contexts such as the extra-judicial killings under the Duterte administration. The selected PhD researcher will lead a case study on grassroots documentation initiatives, working closely with senior researchers, PhD peers, and the Justice Visions team. The research will employ both quantitative and qualitative empirical methods, with the expectation to present findings in academic and policy-relevant forums. The position is based at the Human Rights Centre, Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University, Belgium, and requires on-site presence due to the collaborative nature of the project. Applicants must hold an MA, MSc, or LLM in law, social sciences, anthropology, or a related field by September 1, 2026. Fluency in English is required, and knowledge of languages relevant to the case study is advantageous. Candidates should have a strong interest or experience in transitional justice, human rights, or the Philippines context, and demonstrate strong academic writing and research skills. The ability to work collaboratively in an international, interdisciplinary team is essential. The university encourages applications from candidates belonging to vulnerable or minority groups and is committed to diversity and inclusion. The fellowship offers a full-time, fully funded position with approximately 100% net salary, 36 days of holiday plus bridge days, bicycle allowance, eco vouchers, and access to training, workshops, and Human Rights Centre resources. The initial contract is for 12 months, with a possible extension of 36 months upon satisfactory progress. The PhD researcher will be co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Tine Destrooper (Ghent University) and Prof. Dr. Bono Olgado (HURIDOCS and University of the Philippines), and will collaborate with the Justice Visions team and the Human Rights Research Network at UGent. To apply, candidates should prepare a single PDF containing a cover letter (max 500 words), CV (including publications and presentations), research statement (max 1,000 words), transcript of degree, one academic letter of recommendation, and a writing sample (up to 10,000 words). The PDF should be named LASTNAME_FirstName_Philippines and submitted to [email protected] by March 15, 2026. For further information or questions, applicants can contact [email protected]. Keywords: transitional justice, human rights, documentation, Philippines, law, social sciences, anthropology, grassroots initiatives.

Ghent University’s Human Rights Centre and Justice Visions team are offering three fully funded PhD positions in the Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of European, Public and International Law. These positions focus on transitional justice, documentation, and human rights, with specific projects on Palestine, the Philippines, and redress for colonial harm in Belgium. The research is interdisciplinary, combining law, social sciences, anthropology, and empirical methods, and is situated within a vibrant academic environment committed to diversity and inclusion. The projects are: Transitional justice, documentation, and Palestine: Investigating grassroots documentation initiatives in the context of ongoing conflict, settler colonialism, and genocide, and their role in resisting erasure and advancing justice. Transitional justice, documentation, and the Philippines: Focusing on documentation of human rights violations, particularly in contexts such as extra-judicial killings, and the role of grassroots actors in shaping transitional justice responses. Redress for colonial harm in Belgium: Examining initiatives by grassroots actors and institutions aimed at redress and repair for colonial harm, including material, symbolic, and institutional responses, and their interaction with broader movements for historical justice. All positions are based at Ghent University, Belgium, with strong collaborative and interdisciplinary research teams. Supervisors include Prof. Tine Destrooper, Dr. Brigitte Herremans, Prof. Benedict Olgado, and Dr. Cira Pallí-Asperó. The research environment encourages participatory and actor-oriented approaches, with opportunities for empirical fieldwork and engagement with affected communities. Eligibility: Applicants must have a MA, MSc, or LLM in law, social/political sciences, anthropology, or a related field, with demonstrated interest or experience in human rights and transitional justice. Fluency in English and the relevant local language is required. Candidates from minority or vulnerable groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Funding: These are fully funded, full-time positions (100%), initially for 12 months with a 36-month extension upon satisfactory progress. The funding covers salary and research expenses as per Ghent University standards. Application deadline: March 15, 2026 (23:59 CET). How to apply: Review the detailed vacancy descriptions at the provided Ghent University links. Prepare your application materials and submit before the deadline. For questions, contact [email protected]. Keywords: transitional justice, human rights, documentation, Palestine, Philippines, colonial harm, redress, law, social sciences, anthropology, empirical methods.

Ghent University, a leading institution in Belgium, invites applications for a fully funded doctoral fellowship in the Department of European, Public and International Law, based at the Human Rights Centre within the Faculty of Law and Criminology. This position is part of the ERC project “Innovation and documentation. Reconstructing the paradigm of transitional justice from the ground up,” focusing on grassroots documentation initiatives of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the Palestinian context. The Human Rights Centre is renowned for its expertise in human rights law, engaging in both academic research and practical interventions, including clinical projects and submissions to the European Court of Human Rights. The research environment is highly collaborative, with opportunities to work alongside senior experts, young researchers, and the Justice Visions team. The broader project aims to theorize the role of documentation in transitional justice, especially in contexts of ongoing conflict, settler colonialism, and genocide, where traditional state-centered models are inadequate. The research foregrounds truth-telling, collective memory, and resistance against erasure, connecting local Palestinian efforts to transnational justice networks. The selected PhD candidate will have substantial room to shape their own research focus, provided it aligns with the project’s logic and enables cross-case analysis. The project employs a mixed-method, actor-oriented approach, integrating open-source intelligence, survivor testimony, oral history, and narrative methods. The candidate will lead their case study, collaborate closely with senior researchers, and contribute to collective research design, ethics, and data management planning. The position is not an individual PhD project but part of a set research agenda, emphasizing mutual learning and co-creation. Supervision will be provided by Professor Tine Destrooper and Dr. Brigitte Herremans, with additional support from the Justice Visions team and the Human Rights Research Network. The candidate is expected to participate in team meetings, doctoral school training, and activities of the Human Rights Centre and Faculty. Empirical data collection in Palestine and on-site presence in Ghent are crucial due to the collaborative nature of the project. Eligibility requires a MA, MSc, or LLM in social and political sciences, law, anthropology, or a related discipline, obtained by September 1, 2026. Fluency in English and the language relevant to the case study is mandatory. Candidates with interdisciplinary backgrounds, familiarity with transitional justice, knowledge of the Palestinian context, and experience with legal and socio-legal research methods are preferred. The ability to work independently and as part of an international team, strong academic writing and presentation skills, and willingness to relocate to Belgium are essential. Ghent University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from minority and under-represented groups. The fellowship offers a full-time contract for up to 48 months (initial 12 months, extendable upon positive evaluation), with a net salary determined by family status and seniority, tax-free, and comprehensive staff benefits including training, holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The anticipated start date is September 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF to [email protected] by March 15, 2026, including a cover letter, CV, research statement, degree transcript, academic recommendation, and writing sample. The selection process involves a written assignment and interview, with video conferencing available for international applicants. For further information, contact [email protected].

Ghent University, a leading institution in Belgium, invites applications for a fully funded doctoral fellowship in the Department of European, Public and International Law. The position is part of the FWO project 'Reckoning with Belgium’s colonial past: Towards a better understanding of interconnected (truth) initiatives and their contribution to redress.' The research will focus on initiatives by grassroots actors and institutions aimed at redress and repair for colonial harm, encompassing material, symbolic, institutional, and relational responses. The successful candidate will select and analyze a set of these initiatives, examining how actors articulate, negotiate, and pursue redress, the forms they prioritize, their legitimization strategies, and the tensions between different visions of repair. The doctoral researcher will be based at the Human Rights Centre within the Faculty of Law and Criminology, joining a vibrant academic community specializing in human rights law. The Centre’s expertise spans international, regional, national, and comparative law, and its members actively engage in clinical projects and interventions with the European Court of Human Rights. The project is interdisciplinary, ideally suited for candidates with backgrounds in social sciences and legal studies, and familiarity with frameworks on historical justice, redress, epistemic authority, and change processes related to colonial harm. A grounded understanding of Belgium’s colonial history and its ongoing impact is essential. The research will employ a mixed-method, actor-centered approach, including qualitative interviews, participant observation, document analysis, and network analysis. Participatory research practices are emphasized, with co-creation of outputs and dissemination strategies alongside research participants. The candidate will have substantial autonomy to shape their case study and methodological approach, supported by co-supervisors Professor Tine Destrooper and Dr. Cira Pallí-Asperó, and will collaborate with the Justice Visions team, Human Rights Centre, and Human Rights Research Network at Ghent University. Eligibility requires a MA, MSc, or LLM in social and political sciences, law, anthropology, or a related discipline, obtained by September 1, 2026. Fluency in English and the language relevant to the studied initiatives is mandatory. Candidates with experience in redress/repair for colonial harms, knowledge of Belgian colonial history, multidisciplinary training, and empirical research skills are preferred. The position offers a full-time contract for up to 48 months (initial 12 months, extendable upon positive evaluation), with a fellowship amount based on net salary and family status, tax-free, and accompanied by extensive staff benefits. Applications must be submitted as a single PDF file via email to [email protected] by March 15, 2026. Required documents include a cover letter, CV, research statement, degree transcript, letter of recommendation, and writing sample. The recruitment process is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging candidates from minority and under-represented groups to apply. The evaluation includes a written assignment and interview, with the anticipated start date of September 1, 2026. For further information or inquiries, contact [email protected]. Apply via this link .