Postdoc: Executive lawmaking in EU migration law

Are you interested in the delegation of legislative power in EU migration law? Would you like to conduct research into EU legislation, help coordinate a research project, and contribute to its impact? Please apply to this vacancy at the ACMRL.

Your function

In EU law, legislative power is often delegated to the European Commission. In the field of migration law, this possibility has increased with the adoption of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum in 2024. 

This vacancy is part of a VIDI project funded by the Dutch National Research Council (NWO) entitled 'Executive supremacy? Executive lawmaking in migration law'. This project aims to map the scope of executive legislation in migration law in Europe and to critically interrogate its normative legitimacy.

The postdoc in this project conducts research into lawmaking by the European Commission in the field of migration and asylum law. This research is both empirical (what is the scope) and normative (is it sufficiently constrained to minimize the potential for arbitrary power). In addition, the postdoc will participate in the coordination and management of the project as well as in the organization of societal and scientific impact activities.

The appointment will initially be for one year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended by two years to a total duration of three years. 

Your duties

  • conducting research into lawmaking by the European Commission in the field of migration and asylum law;
  • presenting results at conferences, in blogposts and in a policy brief;
  • publishing results in scientific journals and/or books;
  • organizing seminars, public meetings and a final conference of the VIDI project;
  • teaching in ACMRL’s bachelor’s and/or master’s courses (max 15% of appointment)
  • you have a PhD in law, or your PhD manuscript is approved by the reading/assessment committee;
  • you have expertise in EU constitutional law and/or migration law;
  • you have strong verbal and writing skills in English, and preferably also in Dutch;
  • you can work independently and collaboratively;
  • you have strong planning and organizational skills

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended by two years to a total duration of three years.   

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • space for personal development
  • discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law (ACMRL)
The Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law (ACMRL) at VU Amsterdam is one of the world's largest research centres in the field migration and refugee law. It conducts research on topics such as asylum law and family migration, actively contributes to public debate and government advisory committees, and publishes accessible legal insights on topical issues of migration law on Verblijfblog.nl. The Centre also offers an international master’s track (LL.M) on International Migration and Refugee Law, runs a Migration Law Clinic that provides expert legal advice, and provides postgraduate courses for practising lawyers.

Faculty of Law
At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law we train lawyers and criminologists to develop sharp critical minds, with a strong focus on the societal relevance of law. We offer Bachelor’s programmes in four main fields: Law, Notarial Law, Law in Society and Criminology. In addition, we offer an extensive range of Master’s programmes as well as contract education (for non-student visitors). Much of our research is both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Our teaching and research embody the values of cooperation and diversity. We encourage each other to view problems from different perspectives, to think critically, develop a broader mind and arrive at creative legal solutions together.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Law? You will work in an active and inspiring academic environment. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the excellence of teaching and research in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will join over 400 staff members responsible for a student body of 4,500.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position? We invite you to apply by submitting the following documents:

  • motivation letter (cover letter);
  • curriculum vitae (CV);
  • a brief reflection on and outline for the research to be conducted (max. 1 A4)

Motivation letters and research outlines generated with AI language tools will not be considered. 

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

The (first round of) interviews will be held on 17/18 December 2026. The start date is 1 April 2027 at the latest.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

In EU law, legislative power is often delegated to the European Commission. In the field of migration law, this possibility has increased with the adoption of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum in 2024. 

This vacancy is part of a VIDI project funded by the Dutch National Research Council (NWO) entitled 'Executive supremacy? Executive lawmaking in migration law'. This project aims to map the scope of executive legislation in migration law in Europe and to critically interrogate its normative legitimacy.

The postdoc in this project conducts research into lawmaking by the European Commission in the field of migration and asylum law. This research is both empirical (what is the scope) and normative (is it sufficiently constrained to minimize the potential for arbitrary power). In addition, the postdoc will participate in the coordination and management of the project as well as in the organization of societal and scientific impact activities.

The appointment will initially be for one year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended by two years to a total duration of three years. 

Your duties

  • conducting research into lawmaking by the European Commission in the field of migration and asylum law;
  • presenting results at conferences, in blogposts and in a policy brief;
  • publishing results in scientific journals and/or books;
  • organizing seminars, public meetings and a final conference of the VIDI project;
  • teaching in ACMRL’s bachelor’s and/or master’s courses (max 15% of appointment)
  • you have a PhD in law, or your PhD manuscript is approved by the reading/assessment committee;
  • you have expertise in EU constitutional law and/or migration law;
  • you have strong verbal and writing skills in English, and preferably also in Dutch;
  • you can work independently and collaboratively;
  • you have strong planning and organizational skills

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 3.706,00 (Scale 10) and maximum € 5.760,00 (Scale 10) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile Researcher 4. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended by two years to a total duration of three years.   

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • space for personal development
  • discount on (and occasionally exclusive access to) theater performances and courses at the Griffioen Cultural Center

Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law (ACMRL)
The Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law (ACMRL) at VU Amsterdam is one of the world's largest research centres in the field migration and refugee law. It conducts research on topics such as asylum law and family migration, actively contributes to public debate and government advisory committees, and publishes accessible legal insights on topical issues of migration law on Verblijfblog.nl. The Centre also offers an international master’s track (LL.M) on International Migration and Refugee Law, runs a Migration Law Clinic that provides expert legal advice, and provides postgraduate courses for practising lawyers.

Faculty of Law
At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law we train lawyers and criminologists to develop sharp critical minds, with a strong focus on the societal relevance of law. We offer Bachelor’s programmes in four main fields: Law, Notarial Law, Law in Society and Criminology. In addition, we offer an extensive range of Master’s programmes as well as contract education (for non-student visitors). Much of our research is both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Our teaching and research embody the values of cooperation and diversity. We encourage each other to view problems from different perspectives, to think critically, develop a broader mind and arrive at creative legal solutions together.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Law? You will work in an active and inspiring academic environment. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the excellence of teaching and research in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will join over 400 staff members responsible for a student body of 4,500.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Lieneke Slingenberg

Professor of Migrants and the Rule of Law
+31 20 598 6342

Interested

Are you interested in this position? We invite you to apply by submitting the following documents:

  • motivation letter (cover letter);
  • curriculum vitae (CV);
  • a brief reflection on and outline for the research to be conducted (max. 1 A4)

Motivation letters and research outlines generated with AI language tools will not be considered. 

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

The (first round of) interviews will be held on 17/18 December 2026. The start date is 1 April 2027 at the latest.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Lieneke Slingenberg

Professor of Migrants and the Rule of Law
+31 20 598 6342

Application procedure

Step1

Application received

We have received your application successfully. We aim to give you an initial response as soon as possible. This is generally two weeks after the deadline.

Step2

Screening CV

A selection committee will assess whether you meet the requirements for the vacancy. If your assessment is positive, we will invite you for a first (hybrid) job interview.

Step3

1st Interview

Job interviews usually take place at a VU Campus, but sometimes you will be invited for a video interview first. The VU uses MS teams for this purpose.

Step4

2nd Interview

For the second interview, we usually ask you to come to our VU campus.

Step5

Assessment

Depending on the position, the submission of a Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) and/or an assessment may be part of the application procedure. The submission of a diploma is always requested at the time of onboarding.

Step6

Optional background check

Depending on the position and the associated risk profile, a background check may be conducted by the VU. This may include information from public social media accounts of the applicant (such as LinkedIn, Instagram), public statements made by the applicant on the internet and references provided by the applicant.
Step7

Onboarding

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