EGSL welcomes PhD researchers who will perform excellent research in Law or Criminology in connection with one of the research themes pursued by Erasmus School of Law.
There are different possibilities to become a PhD researcher at EGSL, see below. The procedures are laid down in the EGSL flowchart recruitment and selection. For more information, please contact the EGSL office via egsl@law.eur.nl.
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When Erasmus Graduate School of Law (EGSL) has openings for a paid position, you will find these here.
The application for the European Doctorate in Law and Economics (EDLE), academic year 2025/2026 is now open. The European Doctorate in Law & Economics is one of the largest doctorate programmes in the field. It is a joint doctoral programme by five of the leading European universities: the Universities of Bologna, Hamburg, Prague, Rotterdam, and Rennes. The application deadline was extended until February 16th, 2025, 23:59 o’clock ECT
For further information click here.
One of the PhD positions within the EDLE programme is in the area of law and technology. Dr. Shu Li will act as the co-supervisor. Some preferred topics include the regulation and governance of artificial intelligence (AI), AI and fundamental rights, the concept and remedy of harm in the digital age, as well as digital vulnerability issues. The ideal candidate should have a solid academic background in law and technology. Applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and knowledge of EU law and/or law and economics will be an advantage.
The successful candidate will start in October 2025 with a contract of 4.5 years (full-time) with 20% teaching obligation.
Erasmus School of Law is open to host ambitious PhD researchers who want to conduct excellent research in the field of Law or Criminology as an external PhD researcher.
If you are interested, you must contact a professor to discuss your ideas and ask whether they are willing to supervise your project. The names and research topics of professors are listed on the Erasmus School of Law website.
Please also check the admission requirements.
When you contact a potential supervisor, please provide him/her with the following application documents:
- Application format EGSL, including a short research proposal
- A letter of motivation, including information on your present situation;
- A CV (including in particular information on study results and grades; publications; grants/prizes; experience abroad; extracurricular activities)
- Proof of your Master’s degree, including grade transcripts of your Bachelor and Master studies.
If the professor, based on the application documents, in principle agrees on being your supervisor, an online interview will be scheduled, with the prospective supervisor(s) and an EGSL representative. After this interview, the decision about your admission will be taken. In case of a positive decision, a hospitality agreement will be concluded. Required annexes for that are a copy of your passport and a language test (see admission requirements).
Important remarks:
- EGSL doesn’t charge a fee for external PhD researchers, but also doesn’t provide funding, housing etc.
- EGSL assumes that an external PhD research is carried out from a distance, most of the times next to another job. (Fulltime) availability in Rotterdam or in the Netherlands is not required, and a working space is not offered. The educational programme is fully online and the monitoring and supervision can be offered online as well.
- Please be aware that for external PhD candidates from abroad who would need a residence permit, the university doesn’t act as a sponsor. Sponsoring a residence permit is only possible for PhD researchers with a scholarship that meets the IND minimum income requirements or for employed PhD researchers.
- EGSL welcomes external PhD researchers to participate in EGSL and/or ESL research activities from time to time.
- External PhD candidates who would like to come to the university to spend a few months here, can be visit ESL as a visiting PhD researcher, for which a residence permit isn’t required.
Erasmus Graduate School is open to host PhD candidates with a scholarship.
Erasmus School of Law is open to host ambitious PhD researchers who want to conduct excellent research in the field of Law or Criminology. As a PhD researcher, you will join a law school ranked in the top 50 of the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings of global law schools, which is committed to promoting excellent international and interdisciplinary research with a high positive societal impact.
If you are interested, you must contact a professor to discuss your ideas and ask whether they are willing to supervise your project. The names and research topics of professors are listed on the Erasmus School of Law website. Please also check the admission requirements, including specific requirements for PhD researchers with a scholarship.
When you contact a potential supervisor, please provide him/her with the following application documents:
- Application format EGSL , including a short research proposal
- A letter of motivation, including information on your present situation;
- A CV (including in particular information on study results and grades; publications; grants/prizes; experience abroad; extracurricular activities)
- Proof of your Master’s degree, including grade transcripts of your Bachelor and Master studies;
- A proof of your scholarship.
If the professor, based on the application documents, in principle agrees on being your supervisor, an online interview will be scheduled, with the prospective supervisor(s) and an EGSL representative. After this interview, the decision about your admission will be taken. In case of a positive decision, a hospitality agreement will be concluded. Required annexes for that are a copy of your passport and a language test (see admission requirements).
EGSL doesn’t charge a fee for PhD researchers with a scholarship. In addition, please be aware that EGSL doesn’t provide financial support. The same applies for housing, therefore, we refer you to this webpage of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Erasmus School of Law is open to host visiting PhD researchers for a short period of time. As a visiting PhD researcher, you will join a law school ranked in the top 50 of the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings of global law schools, which is committed to promoting excellent international and interdisciplinary research with a high positive societal impact.
If you are interested, you must contact a professor to discuss your ideas and ask whether he or she is willing to host you. The names and research topics of professors are listed on the Erasmus School of Law website.
If the professor agrees on hosting you, the conclusion of a hospitality agreement is necessary. The hosting professor/department will take care of that.
During your stay at Erasmus School of Law, a workplace will be available for you, and you can participate in EGSL activities, e.g., we will ask you to present your research during one of our monthly PhD research seminars. The duration of the research visit is 3 to 6 months.
EGSL doesn’t charge a fee for visiting PhD researchers. In addition, please be aware that EGSL doesn’t provide financial support. The same applies for housing, therefore, we refer you to this webpage of Erasmus University Rotterdam.