Postdoctoral Researcher in Climate Litigation and Democracy

We are inviting applicants for the position of postdoctoral researcher within the project ‘Strategic Climate Litigation’s Direct and Indirect Consequences for Democracies’. This project is funded by the ERC Consolidator Grant (grant no. 101125511) and runs until 2029. Within the project we investigate the direct and indirect consequences of strategic climate litigation for the democratic process.

Join us

We develop the missing theoretical framework that captures these consequences and research based on a multi-method approach strategic climate litigation in 4 national (Germany, France, Netherlands & UK) and 2 European jurisdictions (EU & European Court of Human Rights), how strategic climate litigation interacts with the democratic process and how its (neglected) democratic potential could be realized. 

The postdoctoral researcher, together with the principal investigator, develop the focus of the research project and identify relevant issues to be further pursued and research these issues independently and jointly. The expected output consists both of individual and co-authored publications.

What you will do

As a postdoctoral researcher, you are expected to conduct innovative research leading to the completion of several individual and co-authored publications. As part of the team of researchers for the overarching project, you will design and carry out an individual research plan. You will engage autonomously in the collection and analysis of data (document analysis, interviews, coding), (co-)organize events, and give feedback on the work of others. You will feel responsible for the success of the project and the functioning of the team. Your teaching responsibilities could include teaching tutorials and supervising Master’s or Bachelor’s theses in European law.

What we ask of you

• You have a PhD in law or a discipline that provides you with a demonstratable advantage to carry out research in relation to the project;


• You are interested in conducting research on a topic related to the project and are committed to producing results independently and as part of the team that can be published in international peer-reviewed journals.;


• You have experience with conducting academic research and academic writing in English; knowledge of Dutch, French, or German is an advantage;


• You have experience or are interested in contextual approaches to law and the combination of legal-doctrinal study with methods from adjacent disciplines (eg history, philosophy, political science, science and technology, etc.).


• You are committed to not only form part of a team but lead the project team in carrying out activities, such as writing co-authored papers, outreach and communication, and organising of academic events;


• Teaching experience is considered an advantage.

What we offer you

We offer an employment contract for one year with a probationary period of two months. The appointment will be extended for another year upon favourable evaluation. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week. 

Your salary depending on your relevant experience on commencement of the employment contract, ranges between €4.728 to €5.538 gross per month on the basis of a full working week of 38 hours.This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ’30 % ruling’ may apply to non-Dutch applicants.The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

The research component of your employment is 0,8 fte. The teaching component is 0,2 fte, which will be defined in mutual agreement and in line with the teaching needs of the section European law.

A vibrant research environment, inspired colleagues, and an open and friendly atmosphere.

You will work here

Your research will be carried out within the Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG). The successful applicant will form part of the team carrying out the project Home - Strategic Climate Litigation. Strategic climate litigation aims to trigger deep socioeconomic changes in response to a global collective action problem. This project aims to unearth not only the direct but also the indirect consequences for the democratic process of strategic climate litigation in Europe, exploring this parallel process of interest representation and forum for exchange through a combination of doctrinal legal and other methods (e.g., social science, political philosophy).

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application consisting of the documents listed below.

• A proposal with their own interpretation of how the research should unfold, including research objectives, suggested methodology, and an initial situation in the literature


• CV


• A letter of motivation

Please note that it is only possible to upload two documents, therefore please combine the required files in two (PDF) documents. You can apply online via the button. We will accept applications until 30 August 2026.

For questions about the position, please contact by email:

• Professor Christina Eckes at [email protected]