Postdoctoral scientific researcher - Metajuridica, Privaat- en Ondernemingsrecht

Organisation/Company Ghent University Research Field Juridical sciences » International law Juridical sciences » Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Final date to receive applications 20 Jan 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

• →Apply before 20/01/2026(DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
• →Faculty of Law and Criminology
• →Department:
  
  RE21 - Metajuridica, Privaat- en Ondernemingsrecht
• →Occupancy rate:60%
• →Number of positions:1
• →Type of employment:
  
  Contract of limited duration
• →Term of assignment:2 jaar
• →Wage scale:
  
  PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
• →Required diploma:
  
  PhD

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

You will conduct postdoctoral research as part of the FWO-funded research project SOVIET APPROACHES TO EMERGENCY: A LEGAL HISTORICAL INQUIRY INTO SOVIET CRISIS GOVERNANCE AND ITS LEGACIES (SAtE). The project investigates the role of emergency laws in authoritarian regimes, with a focus on the Soviet Union, and their continuing influence on contemporary Russia. SAtE combines legal historical and comparative approaches and examines emergency powers as instruments of statecraft, political control and geopolitical strategy.

Research methods include archival work, doctrinal legal analysis, content and discourse analysis, and comparative legal methods. As part of the project, you will:

• Conduct legal historical and comparative analyses of emergency legislation in the Soviet Union and contemporary Russia
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and contribute to project outputs, including a monograph
• Participate in academic workshops, seminars and conferences
• Contribute to outreach activities related to the project
• Cooperate and assist with the tasks and activities of the Ghent Institute for Legal History and the Department of Interdisciplinary Study of Law, Private and Business Law.

You hold a thesis-based doctorate in law.

You have the ability to conduct independent, high-quality academic research in the field of public law, legal history, comparative law and authoritarian governance.

You have experience in the field of human rights and international law.

You have experience in international research environments.

You are proficient in Russian, Ukrainian and/or other relevant regional languages, as required for working with legal and archival sources from the Soviet era.

You have knowledge of emergency and security legislation and its practical application.

A strong international research profile, including fellowships, study visits and collaborations, is recommended.

Research experience relating to Soviet, post-Soviet or Eastern European legal and political systems is recommended.

Expertise in the field of emergency law, constitutional law, human rights and law and authoritarianism is recommended.

Experience with archival research and/or content and discourse analysis is recommended.

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period of 2 years
• Your contract will start on15/02/2026 at the earliest.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers.  for a complete overview of all the staff benefits .

Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the Final date to receive…