KU Leuven PhD Scholarship

KU Leuven’s Leuven Institute of Criminology (LINC) is advertising a fully funded PhD scholarship in policing and safety. The project sits at the intersection of criminology, political science, sociology, law, and related social science fields, with a strong emphasis on empirical research and qualitative methods (with possible quantitative elements).

The research focus includes public police, private security, intelligence, and inspection services. The exact topic will be developed together with the supervisor, so applicants can align the project with their own interests within policing, security, and safety studies. The doctoral researcher will conduct research in Belgium and potentially abroad, and will also contribute to teaching support, supervision of master’s theses, exam/coursework support, and ongoing research projects.

Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree in Criminology, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, Psychology, or a related discipline; strong interest in empirical research methods; excellent academic writing; ability to work independently and collaboratively; and excellent Dutch language skills (required).

The position is described as a fully funded PhD scholarship with an initial 1-year contract, renewable up to 4 years. This is a strong opportunity for candidates interested in criminology, policing, security governance, and qualitative social research in a leading European research environment.

Deadline: 20 April 2026, 23:59 CET.

How to apply: Use the KU Leuven jobsite application/login portal and submit the required materials before the deadline. For more information, contact Prof. Jeroen Maesschalck.