PhD Researcher

Are you looking for a job with meaning and impact? So come and work at Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) to help develop the legal frame work for the hydrogen sector, and help the Netherlands and the European Union achieve climate neutrality as well as energy independence!

As a member of TILT and part of the interdisciplinary NWO project HySUCCESS, you will carry out research to help developing the legal framework for the creation of an internal market for hydrogen. TILT is an internationally renowned and interdisciplinary research center with a range of legal and social science disciplines, and home to nearly 70 academics. We collaborate closely with researchers from the economics department on problems of the governance of economic activities as well as on a university level (such as the Tilburg Academic Workspace for Climate and Energy) and in international networks (such as the Dutch-German Forum on Comparative and European Energy Law (FCEEL)). The successful candidate will develop and grow in research and in the development of academic activities with societal impact, both individually and as part of a team of ambitious scholars.

Job Description 

A PhD researcher on the legal aspects of the creation of an internal market for hydrogen, in the framework of the NWO HySUCCESS project.

This PhD position will focus on the legal aspects for the creation of an internal market for the energy transition`s key enabler, hydrogen. Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role as an energy carrier when there is no wind or solar production, and can replace fossil fuels as a fuel source in several specific applications as a source of high temperature heat, for local electricity production or in transportation when electrical grid power and the use of batteries are technically not feasible. If produced from green electricity sources hydrogen is completely carbon neutral. The focus of this PhD position is on the analysis and development of the legal framework that can create supply and demand of hydrogen in the Netherlands and beyond. The existing market for hydrogen is small, hydrogen is still produced from natural gas, and it is mainly used as feedstock in chemical processes. The acceleration of hydrogen demand and supply is important to achieve the climate goals and guarantee energy independence. This requires European market integration, and the right legal framework to be place.

Your task will be to analyse the current and proposed legal framework, and how to accelerate the creation of the EU single market for hydrogen by focusing on: a) the EU level through approximation and/or harmonization of market rules (i.e.adopting EU-standards lowering or eliminating disparities existing at national level); and b) at intergovernmental level, with focus on cooperation in

the Netherlands-Germany-Belgium region, with focus on both public and private law. As part of the project you will participate and present in workshops with other partners in the consortium and liaison with researchers on specific use cases. Besides this, the candidate is expected to participate in the daily academic life at TILT such as workshops and seminars, and – as part of the academic training – to conduct a limited amount of teaching and Master`s thesis supervision, and some other research and educational tasks, as well as some project administration.

The research will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Max Baumgart and Prof. Giorgio Monti.

Requirements:

What do we ask? 

Tilburg University is curious about how you can contribute to our research, education, impact, and to the team you will be part of. Therefore, we would like to get the best possible picture of your knowledge, insight, skills, and personality. Below you can find the qualifications we consider important for the position.

• You have a Master`s degree or equivalent in law (or you have your defense date planned).
• Your university studies and/or post-graduate training demonstrate/s a connection to energy law, climate law, EU law, competition law, and/or comparative law, e.g. you took several courses in one or more of the mentioned areas and/or your Bachelor`s thesis and/or Master`s thesis has/have clear links with one or more of the mentioned areas.
• Through the content of your study program and/or Bachelor`s thesis and/or Master`s thesis and/or professional experience such as internships in the area of economic law and/or equivalent experience, you demonstrate an understanding for the economic interrelations with the law.
• You have good communication skills.
• You are fluent in English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) C2).
• You demonstrate knowledge of Dutch and/or French and/or German (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) B1 or higher), due to the scope of the research tasks.

To maintain a vibrant and active university community, it is important that we meet each other regularly and that the connection between us remains good. Therefore, you are prepared to live in or near Tilburg and to be present at Tilburg University at least 2 to 3 days a week in line with TILT's hybrid working policy office hours and commit to integrate in the environment provided by the HySUCCESS project, TILT and Tilburg Law School.  

Please be aware that we assess the required language skills in the interview.

Salary Benefits:

What do we offer?

Tilburg University offers excellent terms of employment with attention to flexibility and room for (personal) development. We recognize and reward our employees and encourage the use of talents and strengths.

Tilburg University is committed to an open and inclusive culture, embracing diversity, and encouraging the mutual integration of groups of staff and students. We create equal opportunities for all our staff and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community. 

We work in a vibrant and lively (work) environment on our beautiful campus, close to the forest and easily accessible by public transport. We are committed to a sustainable society and challenge you to make an active contribution to this. 

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week). 
• A salary of minimum of € 2.872 per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Promovendus and salary scale P. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant education and work experience.
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 under b of the CLA DU. You will initially receive a temporary contract for the duration of 16 months to assess your suitability. If suitable, this contract will be followed by a new fixed-term contract. (N.B. program is 4 years, full-time).
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation. 
• A monthly internet fee 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 most sustainable 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 Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

40 hours per week

Warandelaan 2