Job opening: PhD candidate on procedural fairness in virtual criminal proceedings (22132)! Apply Now!

Tilburg University | Tilburg Law School
is looking for a

PhD candidate on procedural fairness in virtual criminal proceedings

Department: Department of Criminal Law
Location: Tilburg
Scientific area: Criminal (procedure) law
Full time equivalent: 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week).
Duration of employment contract: 4 years
Monthly full-time salary: €2,770 gross
Job Closing Date: March 31st, 2024

Tilburg Law School is seeking an enthusiastic colleague for the position PhD candidate in the Department of Criminal Law.

Despite their foundations in written (procedure) law, criminal trials are living instruments and can take different shapes and forms over time. Since the COVID-19 pandemic the use of communication technology and digital means in criminal courtrooms has increased considerably. This development raises fundamental questions as to how technology impacts and changes traditional concepts of (fair) criminal procedure. As a PhD researcher you will carry out independent academic research in this fascinating and largely unexplored area of criminal procedure (law) and your primary responsibility will be to write a PhD thesis. You will become part of the department of criminal law at TLS and are expected to contribute the educational program of TLS.

To apply for this position, you are asked to write a research proposal (using the format in the application form) that fits the project description below.

Job Description
The envisaged project deals with ‘virtual criminal proceedings and their effect on (perceived) procedural fairness’. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented increase in the use of remote technologies in courtrooms such as Zoom, Teams, and other videoconferencing platforms. These justice innovations are attractive from many perspectives – cost efficiency and court productivity being the most important – but very little is known about whether and how they affect (perceived) procedural fairness. More specifically, there is a gap in existing research on whether and how the use of technology impacts the quality of human interaction during trial, how these remote proceedings are perceived and experienced by trial participants and – consequently – how they impact procedural fairness. This study seeks to fill this gap in existing research and generate insights that are crucial for a future-proof (re)conceptualization of procedural fairness. Given the projects focus on how proceedings are experienced the research will have a considerable empirical component. In the project special attention will be given to the concept of defendant vulnerability. While it is generally acknowledged that all defendants are potentially vulnerable and that certain safeguards should be in place to facilitate effective participation – respecting core components of procedural justice such as voice and trust – the concept of defendant vulnerability is fluid and ever-changing. Through the lens of procedural fairness, the study will analyze how the use of remote technology in the courtroom affects (exacerbates or mitigates) existing vulnerabilities and/or potentially creates new forms of vulnerability for – all or specific categories of – defendants.

Please make sure your research proposal includes both a legal as well as an empirical component and includes the concepts of (perceived) procedural justice/fairness and defendant vulnerability.

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.

We are looking for candidates who:

hold a relevant Master degree in law and/or social sciences (such as criminology and psychology) preferably completed with excellent grades
at least have basic knowledge of criminal procedure (both in law and practice) and/or are familiar with carrying out social scientific research: experience in conducting empirical research is a plus
have a high proficiency in Dutch and/or English (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) C2), allowing for effective communication and documentation
show explicit interest in and motivation for scientific research
possess good communication, analytical and writing skills
are able to contribute to an open and inclusive organizational culture.

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, the premise is that all staff members carry out their work in the Netherlands and that lecturing is done physically.

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.

For this position, we offer:

A position based on 1.0 FTE (40 hours per week);
It is a vacancy for 4 years. You will initially be appointed for a fixed period of 16 months with a statutory probationary period of two months. After 12 months, an evaluation will take place. If the performance evaluation is positive, your employment agreement will be extended for the remaining period of 32 months.
A start salary €2,770 gross per month for full time employment, based on UFO profile PhD Candidate and salary scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system for salary scaling;
Vacation allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%);
Vacation days (41 days for a 40-hour work week);
Full reimbursement of commuting expenses for sustainable travel: walking, biking and public transportation;
Moving allowance;
Options Model for benefits and reimbursement of expenses;
Employees from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a tax-free allowance of 30/20/10% of their taxable wages. We will apply for this reimbursement for you;
You will be enrolled in the General Pension Fund for Public Employers (ABP) through us;
Various training courses, for example in leadership skills, personal effectiveness, and career development;
A wide range of amenities and facilities and various arrangements to create an optimal work-life balance.

Visit working at Tilburg University for more information on our terms of employment.

Information and application
We invite you to apply online for this position by March 31 (23:59 CEST).

More information about the vacancy can be obtained from dr. mr. D. de Vocht [email protected].

Please attach the following documents to the application:

Motivation letter
CV
Official copy of your university degree and grade list. In case you will graduate from your master over the summer, please submit a list of the grades you obtained so far.
Research statement of up to 2500 words, following the template available on this page:
https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/schools/law/tgls/phd-vacancies/faq
An academic piece of research (thesis, assignment) written by you.
Contact information of at least two referees (including name, phone number, and e-mail address) (see application form). We only approach referees for candidates who go to the second selection round.

The first selection interviews will take place in the week of May 20th or the week of May 27th. And most likely in the afternoon of May 29th. The selection committee consists of the following members: