6 PhD Positions in International and European Law: ERC Advanced Grant CONJURERS at KU Leuven

Are you looking for PhD positions in International and European Law in Belgium? KU Leuven is offering six full-time doctoral research positions through CONJURERS, a research project supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant. These opportunities focus on an important legal question: how can companies be prevented from escaping responsibility for environmental damage and other liabilities associated with toxic assets?

The project brings together researchers investigating different areas of law, including private international law, investment law, corporate law, insolvency and environmental liability. Therefore, candidates with strong legal research skills and an interest in corporate accountability may find these positions particularly relevant. This article explains the research areas, eligibility requirements, appointment duration, application process and deadline. It also provides practical advice to help applicants prepare a focused application.

Overview of the KU Leuven PhD Positions in Belgium

KU Leuven, a research university in Belgium, is recruiting six doctoral researchers for the CONJURERS project under the supervision of Professor Geert Van Calster. The project examines legal loopholes that may allow companies to transfer or abandon assets while avoiding responsibility for associated environmental, business, human rights and climate liabilities.

Unlike a conventional PhD focused on one national legal system, this research programme examines how different legal rules interact across jurisdictions. Consequently, researchers will contribute to a broader investigation into how legal frameworks can support corporate accountability.

Key details at a glance:

• • Host institution: KU Leuven, Belgium

  • Department: International and EU Law

  • Research project: CONJURERS

  • Number of positions: Six PhD positions

  • Appointment: Full-time, 100%

  • Appointment duration: Initially one year, renewable three times in principle, for up to four years

  • Application deadline: 25 October 2026, at 23:59 CET

  • Principal investigator: Professor Geert Van Calster

Applicants should consult the official KU Leuven PhD vacancy portal for the complete conditions of each position.

Six PhD Research Areas Under ERC Advanced Grant CONJURERS

The six vacancies cover distinct legal questions within the same overarching research project. Therefore, applicants should select the position that best matches their academic background and research interests.

1. Restructuring and insolvency law

This position examines restructuring and insolvency law in the context of corporate liabilities. Researchers interested in corporate financial distress and the legal consequences of insolvency should explore the PhD position in restructuring and insolvency law.

2. Unjust enrichment

This research investigates whether the legal principle of unjust enrichment can help prevent companies from avoiding responsibility for toxic assets. It may suit candidates interested in obligations, restitution and comparative private law. See the PhD position in unjust enrichment.

3. Legacy pollution

Legacy pollution concerns environmental contamination originating from past activities. This position compares legal approaches to determine whether existing pollution regimes can prevent the transfer of assets without appropriate responsibility for historical damage.

Candidates can review the PhD position in legacy pollution.

4. Investment law

International investment law can influence the regulatory choices available to governments. This PhD examines how investment law might obstruct solutions designed to prevent the unjust transfer of toxic assets.

The PhD position in investment law may interest candidates working on investment protection, international economic law and environmental regulation.

5. Private international law

Companies and their assets often operate across national borders. As a result, questions about jurisdiction, applicable law and cross-border enforcement can affect how liability is established.

This project investigates the potential role of private international law in addressing the transfer of toxic assets. Read the PhD position in private international law.

6. Corporate and contract law

This position examines how corporations use contractual arrangements and corporate structures, including special-purpose vehicles, in ways that may complicate responsibility for toxic assets.

Applicants interested in corporate governance, contractual freedom and business accountability can explore the PhD position in corporate and contract law.

Eligibility Criteria for International Applicants

The vacancies specify academic and language requirements. However, candidates must also demonstrate a clear connection between their background and the relevant research topic.

Academic qualifications

The general requirement is an LL.B. and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree. Candidates holding only an LL.M. should not apply under the standard criteria.

However, the listings indicate a possible exception for candidates, particularly from common-law countries, who hold an LL.B. without an LL.M. They may qualify if they can document relevant research experience or substantial professional legal practice. Internships alone do not satisfy the stated professional-practice condition.

Applicants should read the full eligibility section for their chosen vacancy before applying.

English proficiency and research interests

Applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of additional languages, including Dutch, is an advantage.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate relevant interests, education, experience or research preparation for their selected work package. A strong general law degree is valuable, but a convincing match with the specific project is equally important.

The listings do not specify a general nationality restriction. International candidates should nevertheless verify any applicable conditions directly with KU Leuven.

Appointment Duration, Research Experience and Benefits

Each position is advertised as a full-time doctoral appointment. The initial appointment lasts one year, with three possible renewals, giving an expected maximum duration of four years.

The vacancies do not state a specific salary amount. Applicants should therefore check KU Leuven’s official employment conditions rather than assume a particular stipend or net monthly income.

The positions offer research opportunities beyond preparing a doctoral thesis. Successful candidates will work within a collaborative team consisting of six PhD researchers, one postdoctoral researcher and the principal investigator.

Furthermore, the advertised activities include:

• • Completing and publicly defending a doctoral monograph.

  • Publishing research through journal articles, book chapters and shorter contributions.

  • Participating in project outreach, including blogs and podcasts.

  • Engaging with international academic networks and public audiences.

  • Contributing to selected teaching and research-supervision activities for master’s students.

These responsibilities can help doctoral researchers develop academic writing, public communication and international research experience.

How to Apply for the KU Leuven PhD Positions

Applicants should prepare their applications carefully because each work package addresses a different legal question.

Step 1: Select the appropriate vacancy

First, compare the six research areas with your previous coursework, dissertation, publications and professional experience. Apply for the position that most closely matches your expertise.

Step 2: Review the official requirements

Next, read the complete vacancy description. Check the degree requirements, language expectations and research-specific qualifications. Do not rely solely on summaries published on other websites.

Step 3: Prepare your application documents

Organise your academic and professional information before completing the online application. Useful preparation includes:

• • An up-to-date academic CV.

  • Degree certificates and transcripts.

  • Evidence of English-language proficiency.

  • Relevant publications or writing samples, where appropriate.

  • A clear account of your legal research interests and relevant experience.

Confirm the exact document requirements in the official application system. The list above is a preparation checklist, not a substitute for the vacancy’s instructions.

Step 4: Explain your research fit

Your application should establish why your background suits the chosen work package. For example, a candidate applying for the legacy pollution position could explain how previous research on environmental regulation, comparative liability regimes or corporate responsibility informs the proposed doctoral work.

Similarly, an investment-law applicant should highlight relevant knowledge of international investment frameworks and their relationship with public-interest regulation.

Step 5: Submit before the deadline

Complete the online application through the link provided on your selected KU Leuven vacancy page. The deadline for the advertised positions is 25 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Finally, save the application confirmation and monitor your email for university communications.

Expert Tips to Strengthen Your Application

A competitive application should demonstrate more than general enthusiasm for international law.

Build a clear research narrative. Connect your qualifications, previous research and future interests to the selected work package. Avoid using one generic application for all six positions.

Demonstrate analytical depth. Comparative legal research requires careful interpretation of different legal systems. Discuss relevant methods, research questions or scholarly work that demonstrates your ability to analyse complex legal problems.

Show evidence, not just interest. Relevant dissertation work, peer-reviewed publications, research assistance or substantial legal practice can help establish your preparation for doctoral research.

Explain the wider significance. The project addresses the relationship between corporate structures, environmental damage and legal responsibility. Explain why your proposed research could contribute to this broader problem.

For example, an applicant with experience in international commercial law might demonstrate how contractual arrangements affect the allocation of liabilities across jurisdictions. That connection would be more persuasive than a statement simply expressing an interest in corporate law.

Final Summary Table

Feature	Details
Program Name	International and European Law: Six PhD Positions under ERC Advanced Grant CONJURERS
Host Country	Belgium
Funded By	European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant
Duration	Initially 1 year, renewable three times; up to 4 years in principle
Study Mode	Full-time (100% appointment); location in Leuven
Eligibility	Generally, LL.B. and LL.M.; an LL.B.-only exception may apply to qualifying candidates with documented experience
Financial Support	Full-time doctoral appointment; exact salary amount not specified in the vacancy description
Fields of Study	Restructuring and insolvency law, unjust enrichment, legacy pollution, investment law, private international law, corporate and contract law
Deadline	25/10/2026, 23:59 CET
Official Website	KU Leuven PhD vacancy portal

Conclusion

The six PhD positions in International and European Law at KU Leuven offer an opportunity to investigate corporate accountability through several interconnected areas of law. With research spanning insolvency, unjust enrichment, legacy pollution, investment law, private international law and corporate and contract law, the project offers distinct pathways for qualified legal researchers. Applicants should focus on the vacancy that best matches their expertise and explain their research contribution clearly. The application deadline is 25 October 2026, so preparing documents early is advisable. Visit the official KU Leuven vacancy portal to review the complete requirements and submit your application.