The Department of Criminal Law and Criminology at KU Leuven is offering a full-time PhD position within the Institute of Criminal Law. The Institute comprises around twenty professors and assistants dedicated to research, education, and societal service in criminal law and procedure. As a PhD candidate, you will have the opportunity to pursue research on a subject of your choice, in close consultation with the professors of the Institute. The position includes limited educational support in Leuven and Hasselt, providing a collaborative academic environment.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in Law and demonstrate excellent academic performance. The ideal candidate is curious, creative, independent, and passionate about legal research. Strong communication and drafting skills are valued, as is the ability to work effectively in a team. Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Dutch is required, and knowledge of additional languages is considered an asset.

The position is offered as a full-time PhD scholarship holder, with an initial appointment of one year, renewable up to four years. KU Leuven is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and socially safe environment, embracing diversity and open dialogue as essential components of its research and educational mission. The university actively promotes equal opportunity and does not tolerate discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious or philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status.

For further information about the position, prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. dr. Sem Careel ([email protected]) or Prof. dr. Frank Verbruggen ([email protected]). In case of technical issues with the online application process, assistance is available via [email protected]. The application deadline is March 19, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online through the KU Leuven jobsite.

This opportunity is ideal for motivated graduates in Law seeking to advance their expertise in criminal law and criminology within a leading European research institution. The Institute of Criminal Law offers a dynamic and supportive environment for doctoral research, with access to a network of experienced academics and resources. Successful candidates will contribute to innovative legal research and benefit from KU Leuven’s commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility.