KU Leuven PhD Scholarship

KU Leuven’s Leuven Institute of Criminology (LINC) is advertising a fully funded PhD scholarship in Youth Criminology within the research line Youth Criminology and Juvenile Law. The project is centered on empirical research about juvenile justice systems, the actors involved in youth justice, and responses to juvenile delinquency.

The position is interdisciplinary and combines criminology, law (especially juvenile law and children’s rights), and social sciences. The successful candidate will develop and complete a PhD project, conduct empirical social science research, and engage with legal and policy frameworks. The role also includes teaching support in youth criminology and juvenile law, supervision of master’s theses, and exam/academic support activities.

Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree or final-year status in Criminology or a related humanities field, a strong interest in juvenile justice and youth-related issues, and knowledge of research methods (qualitative and quantitative). Experience with tools such as NVivo and SPSS (or similar) is preferred, along with strong academic writing, analytical skills, and the ability to work both independently and in a team.

Funding is described as a fully funded PhD scholarship with a 1-year contract renewable up to 4 years. The post offers a supportive and stimulating academic environment plus opportunities for research, teaching, and professional growth.

The application deadline is 20 April 2026 at 23:59 CET. Applicants should apply through the KU Leuven jobsite portal. For more information, the post lists Prof. Stefaan Pleysier and Prof. Johan Put as contacts.