Doctoraatsbursaal EU-Energierecht (100%)

Your role

As a doctoral bursary student, you will actively work on the preparation and defence of a doctoral dissertation on EU Energy Law. Within the framework of the interdisciplinary FWO SBO project DINEMO (Distribution Network Management Optimisation), which aims to address the structural bottlenecks in grid management that slow down the energy transition, you will map out the grey areas and weaknesses of the EU legal framework regarding network tariffs and capacity management. Additionally, you will test the choices made at the Flemish level against applicable EU legislation. You will evaluate the EU legal framework, distinguish successful rules, and make recommendations for the further development of the EU legal framework.

In accordance with the requirements set out in the DINEMO project, you will publish in peer-reviewed (inter)national scientific books and journals and actively participate in (inter)national scientific meetings within your research domain. You are also open to foreign research stays and will contribute to research proposals and workshops.

You will take on a limited package of educational and support tasks (for example: guiding study groups, supervising theses, information sessions for prospective students, exam supervision, representing doctoral students in councils, etc.). To this end, you will follow educational professionalisation. Finally, you will participate in the doctoral school.

Your team

From a legal perspective, we aim to have an impact on the transition to a more sustainable and resilient society, both in the region and far beyond. To achieve this, the Faculty of Law opts for high-quality research in selected core domains and believes in the added value of multidisciplinarity. Our research group pays special attention to resilience and sustainability. More information about our research activities and our team, which includes around 15 professors, 40 doctoral students, and an enthusiastic support staff, can be found on our website.

In addition to high-quality research, we also consider quality and innovative education very important. In an academic Bachelor's and Master's programme in Law, in cooperation with KU Leuven and Maastricht University, we train more than 900 students to become creative and problem-solving lawyers. We do this through assignment- and problem-oriented education, always with an open view on society. Both our workplaces and teaching spaces can be found on the city campus of UHasselt, in the renovated Old Prison near Dusartplein. This site is easily accessible by public transport.

Your talents

• You hold a Master's degree in Law (or equivalent).
• You are strongly motivated for research.
• You have distinguished yourself during your studies or can demonstrate that you are capable of scientific publication.
• You work in a quality-oriented manner.
• You are able to plan your work proactively and independently, identify opportunities, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• You work creatively.
• You have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and an excellent command of English. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• You function well in a team and are particularly motivated to work in an interdisciplinary team. Your commitment is evident, among other things, from sufficient presence on our campus.
• You are willing to follow the educational professionalisation programme.

Our offer

• You will be appointed and paid as a Doctoral Bursary Student.
• You will receive a doctoral scholarship, initially for two years, renewable once for an additional two years subject to a positive interim evaluation.
• This is a full-time position.
• The position is expected to start in October 2026.
• You will be provided with a workplace on the UHasselt city campus (Old Prison), IT equipment, and a budget for attending scientific conferences in Belgium and abroad.

Apply for this position

The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on the application file and an interview. The interview will likely take place in the first half of September.

You must include in your application file (in English):

• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages A4) stating the title of your research proposal.
• A CV (max. 3 pages A4).
• A written text that gives a good impression of the candidate's research and writing skills; we therefore recommend an international publication, an unpublished research article of excellent quality, or a Master's thesis. Ideally, the submitted text addresses aspects of energy law or legal fields related to the research objectives and questions of the DINEMO project (e.g., procurement law, administrative decision-making processes, etc.).

Applications must be submitted by 31 August 2026.

For substantive questions, please email marie.decock@uhasselt.be or theodoros.iliopoulos@uhasselt.be. For questions about the selection procedure, email jobs@uhasselt.be.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.