PhD Position in Empirical Legal Research on the Rule of Law & Judicial Politics
The Erasmus School of Law (ESL) at Erasmus University Rotterdam is inviting applications for a full-time, four-year PhD position in Empirical Legal Research on the Rule of Law & Judicial Politics. This opportunity is hosted by the Rotterdam Institute of Law and Economics (RILE), Department of Law & Business, and is part of the European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE), a joint doctoral programme with the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Rennes. The position supports ESL’s ambition to be a leading European research institute and contributes to the university’s impact domain of societal resilience and robustness.
The PhD project will employ empirical approaches to address critical challenges facing democratic societies, focusing on topics such as the rule of law, public trust in courts, judicial independence, judicial decision making, and court-curbing. Research may include examining how courts respond to judicial pressure, how citizens develop trust in judicial institutions, how legal institutions safeguard democratic governance, or how governments attempt to weaken judicial oversight. The project is designed to be interdisciplinary, integrating law, political science, and economics, and will provide the successful candidate with a unique opportunity to engage with leading scholars and build an international academic network.
Supervision will be provided by Professor Louis Visscher (first supervisor) and Dr. Aylin Aydin-Çakır (co-supervisor), ensuring structured guidance throughout the research and thesis completion phases. The PhD position includes a mandatory mobility period during the first year, with research stays in Bologna and Hamburg, further enhancing the international dimension of the programme.
Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Law, Law & Economics, Political Science, or a related discipline. A strong academic background or research interest in legal studies is required, along with knowledge of empirical methods; experience in quantitative methods is an advantage. Excellent oral and written English skills are essential. Current master students are welcome to apply, but proof of degree must be provided at least three weeks before the contract start date.
The employment conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). The position starts with an 18-month probationary contract, including an educational programme and individual research, followed by an evaluation. Upon positive evaluation, the contract is extended for the remaining 30 months, focusing on research and thesis completion. The salary ranges from €3059 to €3881 gross per month (full-time), with additional benefits such as 29 days paid leave, 8% holiday pay, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, pension contributions, travel and home office compensation, and most costs for foreign exchange opportunities covered by EUR. The university also offers a supportive, inclusive, and diverse work environment, with resources for personal and professional development, work-life balance, and family support.
To apply, submit your application files in English via the Erasmus University portal for this vacancy. Detailed information about the EDLE application procedure and required documents is available on the website. For further inquiries, contact EDLE or the co-supervisor via the provided email addresses. The application deadline is 15 February 2026, and the position is set to start on 1 October 2026.
This is an excellent opportunity for candidates interested in empirical legal research, judicial politics, and interdisciplinary approaches to law and society, within a vibrant international academic community.
