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.