Job opening: Researcher (International) Legal History

Tilburg University | Tilburg Law School

is looking for a

RESEARCHER (INTERNATIONAL) LEGAL HISTORY

Department: Public Law and Governance
Location: Tilburg (hybrid)
Contract size: 1 FTE (40 hours per week)
Full-time gross monthly salary: €4,728- €6,433
Contract duration: 18 months
Intended start date: October 1st, 2026

The Department of Public Law and Governance at Tilburg University invites applicants for a postdoctoral researcher position within the Starter Grant project Self-Determination and Recognition: The Colonial Constitution of the Independent Congolese state, led by Dr. Nora Timmermans.

The project

‘Self-determination’ and ‘recognition’ are quintessential legal and philosophical concepts pertaining to the existence of states, political communities, and other forms of collective entities and identities.

This project examines the paradoxical relation between collective self-constitution and constitutive recognition, through an engagement with the historical process of Belgium’s colonisation of what would become Congo Free State to the independence of the Congolese Republic from Belgian colonial rule. The engagement with perspectives and materials from this concrete colonial and decolonial context will provide the basis for critically interrogating prevailing legal and philosophical accounts of self-determination and recognition.

Situated at the intersections of legal philosophy, constitutional theory, postcolonial studies, and international legal history, the project will investigate how colonial and anticolonial contexts shape the constitution of legal orders, political communities and collective subjectivity itself.

Your position

As postdoctoral researcher within this project, you will conduct the selection, historical reconstruction and analysis of the political, constitutional, and international legal processes concerning the establishment of Congo Free State and the consecutive transition to an independent state. This includes:

• Conducting independent archival and historical research and analysis of constitutional, colonial, diplomatic, and international legal documents.




• Among the topics of interest are the legal construction of colonial sovereignty in Congo Free State and Belgian Congo, the role of international recognition in the establishment of colonial authority, and the constitutional and international legal negotiations surrounding Congolese independence.




• Collaborating with the principal investigator in integrating historical findings into the broader theoretical framework of the project.




• The postdoctoral researcher is expected to co-author at least one peer-reviewed academic article with the principal investigator;




• Co-coordinating and -organizing an international interdisciplinary conference in February 2027;


• Participating in the broader intellectual life of the Department of Public Law and Governance and the Global Law and Governance research program.

Your profile

As the project aims to combine rigorous historical research with broader theoretical reflection, the position is intended for an open-minded and collaborative senior researcher, who has

• A PhD in (legal) history or a related discipline, demonstrating a clear interest in colonial and decolonial contexts from the perspective of international and constitutional law and politics;


• A promising record of international peer-reviewed publications;


• Demonstrated research expertise in the legal and political history of colonial rule and decolonisation in Africa.




• Specific experience in the Congolese colonial and postcolonial context and/or institutional links with Congolese research institutions are highly desirable;




• Affinity with collaborative and interdisciplinary research, especially at the intersection of international law, constitutional theory, legal and political philosophy, and/or postcolonial studies;


• A minimum of CEFR C1-level English across all competencies and C1-level French reading comprehension;


• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

What do we offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• A position based on 1 FTE (40 hours per week);


• A salary between €4,728 and €6,433 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 and salary scale 11). 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 5 sub b CLA DU. You will 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.


• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).


• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.


• 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.


• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).


• 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, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Please note that Tilburg University requires employees to reside and work in the Netherlands, with the exception of cross-border workers. The successful candidate will therefore be expected to relocate, if necessary, to ensure regular on-campus presence. As this is a short-term appointment, relocation costs cannot be covered by Tilburg University.

Information and application

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Nora Timmermans, [email protected] to inquire about the project before the closing date.

We kindly invite you to apply before the 27th of July, 2026; this can only be done online via the HR portal. Applications via email will not be taken into the selection procedure. To allow us to make a good selection, we also ask you to provide the following documents:

1. A motivation letter addressed to Nora Timmermans, outlining your personal motivation and qualifications for the position (maximum 2 pages);


2. A research statement explaining your methodological expertise and your research ideas with regard to the project (maximum 1 page); 


3. An academic CV including the contact details of two referees. Reference letters will be requested only for shortlisted candidates;


4. An article- or chapter-length, single-authored academic text as a writing sample;

The letter selection will take place latest on the 10th of August 2026, you will be informed shortly after.

The selection interviews will take place on the 20th of August 2026. These interviews are, in principle, conducted on campus. Requests for an online interview can be considered if there are valid reasons why an in-person interview is not feasible. Make sure to mention this in your application letter if the interview date or interview in person is not possible.

The selection committee consists of:

1. Nora Timmermans, Assistant Professor of Legal philosophy


2. Morag Goodwin, Full professor Global Law and Development

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on the first of October 2026.

About Tilburg University 

Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization

Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about Tilburg University.

Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.

About Tilburg Law School (TLS)

Founded in 1963, Tilburg Law School has grown into a leading School of law and public administration. Our education and research have a clearly innovative and interdisciplinary character. In doing so, we are driven by our mission to effectively influence challenging societal developments such as new technology, sustainability, and vulnerable individuals in the rule of law from the perspective of law and public administration. We act from local, regional, national, and international developments and collaborate with other disciplines such as economics, the behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, history, and digital sciences.

The School is organized into five Departments: Public Law & Governance; Private, Business, and Labor Law; Criminal Law; Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology & Society; and Tax Law.

Our education

Tilburg Law School provides the legal Bachelor's programs in Rechtsgeleerdheid, Fiscaal Recht, Ondernemingsrecht, and Global Law (English-taught). Of the nine legal Master's programs, five are offered in a hybrid manner and six programs are English-taught. The School also offers a Bachelor’s and Master's program in Bestuurskunde. 
In our education, we pay special attention to what is vulnerable and to vulnerable individuals in society. In doing so, we aim to contribute to a just and sustainable society. Tilburg Law School is at the forefront of educational innovation and considers inclusive, accessible, and flexible education important. We educate our students to become thorough, skilled, and critical academics, who can navigate the complex issues of the changing digital society. 

Our research

Tilburg Law School's five Departments work closely together in research in four distinctive research programs in the areas of globalization and law, regulation of technology, vulnerability of individuals in criminal law, and sustainable private law relationships. Within these research programs, legal, public administration, and interdisciplinary research takes place. We are committed to team science by encouraging researchers to work together, share knowledge, and strengthen each other on content and methods. Read more about the Tilburg Law School.

Global Law and Governance 

This research program addresses major societal challenges such as climate change, globalization, growing inequality, the increasing influence of social media, and migration. These developments call for a re-examination of issues such as the role of human rights, democratic principles and structures, and the regulation of non-state actors. The Department of Public Law & Governance (PLG) is a unique collaboration of researchers in the fields of International Law, European law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Environmental Law, Public Administration, Legal Philosophy, Political Science, Legal History, and Jurisprudence. Collaboration within the Department is very much inspired by joint research interests.  

Recruitment code

Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).

Disclaimer

The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled.