Within this overall framework, the PhD research project will engage in a comparative historical institutional analysis to investigate:

1) how the European, African and inter-American human rights regimes designed their structures and set their goals at the outset of their founding and;

2) how their efforts to achieve these goals, and the competences of their institutions have evolved over time.

The PhD researcher is expected to conduct innovative research on these issues, leading to the completion and publication of a PhD dissertation within four years with the guidance and support of their supervisors. As part of their PhD trajectory, the successful applicant will be coordinating and agreeing with their supervisors on the content, planning and supervision of the trajectory. Tasks:

• Design the scope of the individual PhD research project, and fine-tune the research questions and methodology together with the whole research team;

• Engage autonomously in the collection of data (e.g. archival work, document analysis and interviews);

• Present intermediate research results in internal discussions and at workshops and conferences;

• Contribute to project activities, such as organizing academic events or outreach; and communication of research results to activists, relevant communities of practitioners and policy makers; and

• Optionally, and in mutual agreement with the project leader and in line with the teaching needs of the International and European Public Law Department, have teaching responsibilities.

You have:

• (or are about to obtain) a master’s degree in law, history or political science, with a focus on human rights or legal history;

• an interest in conducting multi-method research on a topic related to the broader theme of the project, namely regional human rights regimes and their evolution;

• experience with conducting academic research and academic writing in English;

• very good knowledge of Spanish, in order to access the archival materials of the inter-American system. Knowledge of French would be welcome; and

• the ability to set and attain your (own) goals.

• An employment contract for one year with a probationary period of two months, preferably starting on 1 September 2025. The appointment will be extended for another three years upon favourable evaluation, i.e. until 31 August 2029;

• the opportunity and obligation to participate in the Amsterdam Law School’s PhD training program.

• for international staff, support in obtaining residence permit, registering with the municipality, finding housing (not guaranteed), learning Dutch and applying for a 30% tax ruling.