Professor of Law

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Faculty of Law offers the position of Full Professor of Empirical Legal Studies of International Criminal Justice. 

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 0.8 - 1

Job description

Through sector plans, the Netherlands invests in innovative scientific research and academic talent. As part of the broader Sector Plan Social Sciences and Humanities,   the Faculty of Law of VU University takes part in the National Law Sector Plan. Since 2018 the faculty has been a hub for promoting and consolidating empirical legal research in The Netherlands. The focus of empirical legal research was predominantly on domestic law and its enforcement. The international empirical legal studies remain in the margins and need reinforcement and further consolidation, especially given the increasing growth of international cooperation and interconnectivity between the international and domestic law enforcement. Ever since the early 1990’s the field of international criminal law and practices of international criminal justice after atrocities have exponentially grown. International criminal trials have become a legal, political and societal reality. Despite the initial optimism and overwhelming support, however, international criminal justice has increasingly encountered challenges and faced growing criticism. The vast majority of scholarship remains largely theoretical, doctrinal and normative. In order to move forward, the scholarship and practice in international criminal justice needs empirically based approaches. Indeed, with few notable exceptions, there is a lack of sound empirical legal research on international criminal law, international criminal trials and their functioning and effects. International criminal justice needs empirical legal studies.

Your duties

The Chair will further the Faculty’s research- and education-related ambitions with regards to (international) criminal justice and empirical legal studies by:

• directing the master programme ‘International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology’ and steering the activities of the Centre for International Criminal Justice 
• teaching in the master programme ‘International Crimes, Conflict and Criminology’ as well as teaching in the undergraduate and graduate program of Criminology
• actively engaging in the day-to-day management of the Department of Criminal Law and Criminology in general, and the division of Criminology in particular.
• fostering the existing collaborations with A-lab, PACS and other interfaculty initiatives 
• supervising and tutoring junior researchers and teachers 
• submitting research proposals to funding schemes, individually or in collaboration with colleagues from the Faculty
• preparing academic publications in relevant policy-oriented outlets and in international, peer-reviewed journals or academic presses
• contributing to the academic and public debate
• providing extracurricular teaching activities
• maintaining and further developing national and international network of academics and practitioners in the field

Requirements

• In light of the above expectations, the profile of the candidate for the new Chair is specified as follows:
• the candidate holds a PhD in Criminology and has proven expertise on empirical legal studies and international criminal justice
• the candidate has a proven expertise in and affinity with both qualitative and quantitative social scientific methodologies, as well as legal doctrinal or normative research
• the candidate has at least five years’ experience in managing positions and responsibilities, notably supervising and/or managing academic research programs or centres nationally and/or internationally
• the candidate has published numerous academic publications in empirical legal studies of international criminal justice in international peer reviewed journals or with academic presses
• the candidate holds a proven track record of successful PHD supervision, including successfully having followed training for this purpose
• the candidate shows strong leadership skills and the ability to create a stimulating environment, focused on the supervision of graduate students and a proven ability to build and maintain a multidisciplinary research group of early career and senior teaching and research staff
• the candidate has a sound track-record of acquisition and management of externally funded research projects
• the candidate shows strong affinity with education and educational innovation with a clear vision on future teaching developments
• the candidate has the ability to communicate fluently in English and at least passive knowledge of Dutch
• the candidate has obtained Basic Teaching Qualification (BTQ), Senior Teaching Qualification is strongly recommended

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €6,099 (H2)
and a maximum €8,881 (H2), depending on your education and experience. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 fte.

The appointment will initially be for 1,5 years, with the possibility for extending into a permanent contract after that period. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment,
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus,
• solid pension scheme (ABP),
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge, contribution to commuting expenses,
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law provides bachelor’s degree programmes in three main fields: Law, Notarial law and Criminology. In addition, we offer an extensive range of Master’s programmes as well as contract education. Our teaching and research focus on the social function and relevance of law: from contracts in the platform economy to the new way of working, from colonial injustice to medical liability, from family reunification to civil participation, from sex offenses to ransomware. Our research is often both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Working at the Faculty of Law means being engaged in an active and inspiring academic setting. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the quality of teaching and research in a challenging and rewarding working environment. More than 300 people work at the Faculty of Law, which is home to some 4,500 students.

The department of Criminal Law and Criminology
The chair is positioned within the department of Criminal Law and Criminology, at the division of Criminology. In this department, about 70 colleagues with legal and social sciences background collaborate in teaching and research. Criminological research is conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR).

Application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until 10/09/2023. The job interviews are planned for November 13, 2023, when possible please take that into account when applying for the position.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process. .

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: Prof. W. Huisman
Position: Head of Department of Criminology
E-mail: W.huisman@vu.nl
Telephone: 020-5983560

You can obtain the structure report of the chair by sending an email to the secretary office at secretariaat.sc.rch@vu.nl

No agencies