PhD candidate in Criminal Law on the protection of vulnerable populations against mental harm

Are you passionate about the potential of the Dutch criminal law to protect vulnerable populations against the infliction of mental harm? This PhD position offers the opportunity to explore important questions at the intersection of criminal law, human rights, and comparative law. You'll contribute to shaping legal and policy responses to mental harm while engaging with key issues of justice, freedom, and vulnerability. Join a dynamic research team at TLS, where you'll conduct impactful research, gain interdisciplinary insights, and help advance criminal law.You will become part of the department of criminal law at TLS and are expected to contribute the educational program of TLS. 

Your position 

The proposed PhD project focuses on the criminalization of mental harm, particularly as it affects vulnerable populations such as LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic and religious minorities, and those impacted by gender-based violence. The criminalization of mental harm poses unique challenges for criminal law, relating to its invisibility, the difficulty of proving it, and the potential tension with fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression and religion. This project aims to explore how criminal law can address these issues effectively while safeguarding fundamental rights.

As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Conduct independent academic research on mental harm in criminal law, contributing to the scholarly understanding of this complex and evolving issue.
• Examine the role of vulnerability theory in shaping legal responses to mental harm and assess its implications for marginalized groups.
• Explore the intersection of criminal law and human rights, analysing how protections against mental harm can coexist with freedoms like expression and religion.
• Develop a legal framework for addressing mental harm, with a focus on Dutch law and comparative insights from other jurisdictions.
• Engage in interdisciplinary research, incorporating perspectives from psychology, sociology, and other fields to understand the broader impacts of mental harm.
• Contribute to ongoing policy debates on criminalizing mental harm, providing innovative ideas to inform legal reform.

Your daily work will involve a combination of legal doctrinal research, theoretical analysis, and comparative law. Depending on your interests and experience, you may also incorporate interdisciplinary insights to strengthen your research. The PhD thesis is expected to be written in English, enabling it to contribute to international academic discussions on criminal law and mental harm.

In the longer term, this project aims to develop practical and theoretical contributions to the evolving discussions on how criminal law can adequately protect mental wellbeing while respecting fundamental freedoms. Your research will contribute to the academic and societal debate and may inspire meaningful legal and policy reforms.

You will be part of the department of criminal law at TLS, collaborating with a dynamic research team and contributing to the department’s educational programs.

Requirements:

Tilburg University is curious about how you can contribute to our research, education, impact, and the team you will be part of. Below, we outline the qualifications we consider important for this position.

We are looking for candidates who:

• Hold a relevant master’s degree in law, preferably with a focus on criminal law, human rights law, or a related field, completed with excellent grades. (Master students are welcome to apply, as long as they will complete their masters program before September 1st 2025). 
• Have a very good understanding of Dutch substantive criminal law, demonstrated through academic coursework, prior research or educational experience. 
• Have a high proficiency (CEFR C2) in Dutch and English, enabling effective communication and documentation in both languages; proficiency (C1 or higher) in a third language is a strong plus.
• Show explicit interest in and motivation for conducting innovative academic research in the field of criminal law and vulnerability theory.
• Possess strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, demonstrated through previous academic work or professional experience.
• Have solid experience in teaching or a strong interest in developing teaching skills, as the position also involves contributing to the educational programs of the department.
• Are able to contribute to an open, inclusive, and supportive organizational culture.

To maintain a vibrant university community, all staff members are expected to carry out their work in the Netherlands, and teaching is conducted in person.

International PhD’s with scholarships below the IND income standard (€1,564) are unfortunately not eligible for this vacancy. 

Salary Benefits:

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 1.0 fte (40 hours per week), of which 80% is dedicated to research and 20% is dedicated to teaching.
• A salary of €2.901 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile PhD student and salary scale P. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience. 
• This is a vacancy for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport. 
• A monthly internet allowance of €25.
• An options model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center. 
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions). 
• Employees from abroad may be eligible for a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial expenses equal to 30% of taxable salary. 
• A pension with ABP; the largest Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research. Or a language course at our Language Center. 
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities. 
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

For more information, see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities. 

40 hours per week

Warandelaan 2