Katrijn Maryns

Ghent University invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher and manager to join the interdisciplinary UNPACK project, focusing on the asylum procedure in Belgium. The position is based in the Faculty of Law and Criminology, Department of European, Public and International Law, and is embedded within the Migration Law Research Group (MigrLaw), CESSMIR (Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees), the Human Rights Centre, and the Human Rights Research Network (HRRN). The UNPACK project, funded by iBOF, is a collaboration among Flemish universities and the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), aiming to investigate fairness in asylum procedures through the integration of linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and law. The successful candidate will manage the project (50%), including developing methodological tools, organizing meetings, handling communication, supporting budget management, leading publication and valorization efforts, and reporting to funding bodies. The other 50% involves conducting legal and ethnographic research on the interpretation and application of asylum laws and regulations by various stakeholders. The research focus will be developed collaboratively with supervisors, co-researchers, and the asylum administration. The role requires extensive interdisciplinary teamwork, data sharing, and both collaborative and individual research, with reporting to academic and broader audiences. Applicants must hold a PhD in Law, or a Master’s degree in Law with a PhD in a relevant social science discipline. Essential qualifications include in-depth knowledge of asylum laws and policies at national and European levels, experience with qualitative research methods (such as ethnographic research and interviews), research ethics, and data management in socio-legal research. High proficiency in Dutch or French and considerable fluency in the other language, as well as fluency in academic English, are required. Additional assets include knowledge of human rights, languages relevant to refugee communities, experience with vulnerable populations, interdisciplinary and collaborative research, publication editing, valorization and dissemination of research findings, and mentoring skills. The position offers a contract of indefinite duration, with remuneration according to salary scale PD1 to PD4, and a comprehensive benefits package including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The contract is expected to start on 1 September 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the Ghent University e-recruitment system before 15 March 2026. Required documents include an academic CV (with two references), cover letter, transcript of the required degree, and a writing sample in English (up to 10,000 words). Late or email applications will not be considered. Selected candidates will be notified by 3 April and invited for in-person interviews in Ghent on 20-21 April or 4-5 May 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Ellen Desmet at [email protected]. Ghent University encourages applications from all backgrounds as part of its equal opportunities and diversity policy.

Ghent University is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship within the UNPACK project, based in the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication. This interdisciplinary research opportunity focuses on fairness in asylum procedures, with a special emphasis on interpreted interactions involving refugees, officials, lawyers, and interpreters. The project integrates linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and law to examine real-life experiences and aims to develop a comprehensive framework for fairness in asylum processes. The successful candidate will conduct linguistic-ethnographic and sociolinguistic research, collaborating with a team of 8 researchers and 4 professors, including Karel Arnaut (KU Leuven), Ilse Derluyn, Katrijn Maryns, and Ellen Desmet (all Ghent University). The research is embedded in a unique partnership with the Belgian asylum administration (CGRS) and is supported by iBOF funding. The position offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment within the MULTIPLES and CESSMIR research centres. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Interpreting or Translation Studies and demonstrate high proficiency in Dutch or French, with fluency in the other language and excellent English skills. Experience or interest in qualitative research methods such as ethnography and discourse analysis is expected. Knowledge of languages spoken by refugee communities and an affinity for working with vulnerable populations are considered assets. The role requires strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills, as well as empathy, precision, and a collaborative spirit. The fellowship is fully funded for up to 48 months, with a net salary equivalent to 100% of an AAP member's salary, tax-free, and includes benefits such as 36 days of holiday leave, bridge days, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The start date is approximately 1 September 2026. Ghent University values diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates to apply. To apply, submit a single PDF containing your CV, study results, motivation letter (max 2 pages), diploma, and a 1-page summary of your master's dissertation or recent publication to [email protected] by 15 March 2026, 23:59 CET. For further information, contact Prof. Katrijn Maryns at [email protected].

Ghent University’s Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy invites applications for a PhD fellowship within the interdisciplinary UNPACK project, focusing on fairness in asylum procedures and the wellbeing and mental health of refugees. The project integrates perspectives from social work, psychology, linguistics, law, and anthropology, and is coordinated by Professors Ilse Derluyn, Karel Arnaut, Katrijn Maryns, and Ellen Desmet. The research involves mixed-methods approaches to study the experiences of refugees, officials, interpreters, and lawyers, aiming to develop a comprehensive framework for fairness in asylum processes. The successful candidate will conduct research on mental health and wellbeing in asylum procedures, collaborate with a team of researchers and professors, and share findings both academically and publicly. The position is embedded in CESSMIR (Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees) and offers a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment. The fellowship is fully funded for up to 48 months, with a net salary, tax-free status, and benefits including 36 days of holiday, training opportunities, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in social work, educational sciences, psychology, or a related social science, and demonstrate affinity with refugee or migration issues. High proficiency in Dutch or French (with good knowledge of the other), fluency in academic English, and experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods are required. Knowledge of refugee community languages and experience working with vulnerable populations are assets. The application deadline is 15 March 2026, with a start date around 1 September 2026. To apply, submit a single PDF containing your CV, study results, motivation letter, diploma copy, and a summary of your Master’s thesis or recent publication to [email protected]. For more information, contact Prof. Ilse Derluyn. Ghent University values diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.

Ghent University’s Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication is offering a PhD Fellowship as part of the interdisciplinary UNPACK project, which investigates fairness in asylum procedures through the intersecting lenses of linguistics, anthropology, psychology, and law. The project, coordinated by leading academics including Prof. Katrijn Maryns, Prof. Karel Arnaut, Prof. Ilse Derluyn, and Prof. Ellen Desmet, is embedded in a unique collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) in Belgium. The research focuses on the lived experiences of asylum applicants, officials, interpreters, and lawyers, using ethnographic and sociolinguistic methods to analyze discursive processes in asylum procedures. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team, develop a specific research focus in dialogue with supervisors and co-researchers, and contribute to both academic and public dissemination of findings. The position is based at Ghent University and integrates into the MULTIPLES Research Centre and CESSMIR. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Linguistics or equivalent, demonstrate affinity with refugee/asylum research, and possess strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills. Fluency in Dutch or French (with good knowledge of the other) and academic English is required. Experience with language-in-society research, qualitative methods, and working with vulnerable populations is advantageous. The fellowship is fully funded, tax-free, and offers a net salary equivalent to 100% of an AAP member, with benefits including 36 days of holiday, training opportunities, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. The initial contract is for 12 months, extendable up to 48 months upon positive evaluation. Applications are due by 15 March 2026. Candidates should submit a single PDF containing their CV, study results, motivation letter, diploma copy (if available), and a 1-page summary of their Master’s thesis or a recent academic publication to [email protected]. Selected candidates will be informed by 3 April 2026 and invited for an in-person assessment in Ghent on 20–21 April or 4–5 May 2026. For more information, contact Prof. Katrijn Maryns at [email protected].

Ghent University invites applications for a full-time doctoral fellowship in the Department of European, Public and International Law, as part of the interdisciplinary UNPACK project. The UNPACK project, 'Unpacking the asylum procedure in its intersecting linguistic, sociocultural, psychological and legal dimensions', is a pioneering iBOF-funded collaboration among Flemish universities and the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS). The project aims to investigate fairness in asylum procedures by integrating insights from law, linguistics, anthropology, and psychology, focusing on the lived experiences of applicants, officials, interpreters, and lawyers. As a doctoral fellow, you will conduct legal and ethnographic research on the interpretation and application of asylum laws and regulations by various stakeholders. You will develop your research focus in close dialogue with supervisors, co-researchers, and the asylum administration. The position is embedded within the Migration Law Research Group (MigrLaw), CESSMIR (Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees), the Human Rights Centre, and the Human Rights Research Network (HRRN), offering a dynamic and stimulating interdisciplinary environment. The fellowship is initially for 12 months, with possible extension up to 48 months following a positive evaluation. The salary is 100% of the net AAP member salary, determined by family status and seniority, and is tax-free. Ghent University provides additional staff benefits, including training opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave, bicycle allowance, and eco vouchers. Applicants must hold an internationally recognised Master’s degree or equivalent in Law. High proficiency in Dutch or French and considerable fluency in the other language are required, along with fluency in academic English. Candidates should demonstrate affinity with refugees and/or asylum procedures, possess excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills, and have a diversity-sensitive attitude and good intercultural communication skills. Experience with asylum laws and policies, qualitative research methods (especially ethnographic data collection), human rights, languages relevant to refugee communities, and working with vulnerable populations are considered assets. Experience with academic research from an interdisciplinary perspective is preferred. To apply, send your application as a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject line and file name: 'Surname – First name – PhD in Law'. Include your CV, study results, motivation letter (max. 2 pages), diploma copy, and a summary (1-pager) of your master dissertation or a recent academic publication. The deadline is 15 March 2026, 23:59 CET. Late applications will not be accepted. Selected candidates will be informed by 3 April and invited to in-person interviews in Ghent on 20-21 April or 4-5 May 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Ellen Desmet at [email protected]. Ghent University is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, encouraging all qualified candidates to apply. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to frontier research on migration, asylum, and human rights within a collaborative and supportive academic environment.

The UNPACK project, funded by iBOF and hosted at Ghent University in collaboration with KU Leuven, is offering seven PhD positions and one postdoctoral position to investigate fairness in asylum procedures. This interdisciplinary project integrates anthropology, linguistics, psychology, and law to examine the lived experiences of individuals involved in the Belgian asylum process. Through ethnographic research and organizational analysis, the project aims to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based framework for fairness in asylum procedures. Openings include two PhD positions in anthropology (KU Leuven), two in social work/educational sciences (Ghent University), one in linguistics (Ghent University), one in interpreting (Ghent University), one in law (Ghent University), and a postdoctoral researcher/project manager in law (Ghent University). The research is embedded in a unique partnership with the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), the Belgian authority for international protection applications. Applicants should have a relevant master's degree and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research on migration, asylum, and fairness. The positions are fully funded, with competitive salaries and research support. The application deadline is 15 March 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the official vacancy page or contact the listed supervisors.