Human Rights Researcher

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a top 100 university. It is one of the major universities in Belgium and one of the largest universities in the Dutch language area. Over the course of its 200 year history Ghent University has built up a strong scientific reputation. Our 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offer a broad spectrum of high-quality research-based educational programs and conduct in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. Several of our research groups, centres and institutes are renowned worldwide and you will find many eminent scientists among our alumni, including multiple Noble prize winners. Employing more than 8,000 people we are a socially committed and pluralistic University that is open to all students, regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. Our credo is ‘Dare to Think’, challenging everyone to question conventional views and to dare to take a nuanced point of view.

ABOUT THE FACULTY OF LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY

The Faculty of Law and Criminology provides academic teaching and services based on innovative scientific research. The education within these programs is supported by the innovative scientific research performed within the 3 faculty departments encompassing all possible disciplines within the fields of law and criminological sciences. The Faculty is housed in the historic centre of Ghent.

ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE

The Human Rights Centre at the Faculty of Law and Criminology at Ghent University is an academic centre specialized in human rights law. We are proud of our dynamic international team, counting many young researchers and of our broad research and teaching expertise, covering international, regional, national and comparative law of human rights.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME FOR STUDIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CONTEXT

Human Rights in Context is embedded within the Faculty of Law and Criminology and the Human Rights Centre of Ghent University. The Programme was founded at the initiative of Prof Dr Yves Haeck and Prof Dr Clara Burbano-Herrera.

Our research vision is to conduct studies on the promotion, advancement, and respect of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. We reflect on how international human rights bodies function, and how to inspire better interaction between domestic and international law within its wider social and political context. Main features of the research include a comprehensive approach to public law and the high value placed on comparative law. The research is grounded in theory, and is often based on extensive fieldwork.

Our research goals reflect the Ghent University slogan ’Dare to Think’, and we approach the research with a drive for lifelong learning. The research programme aspires to provide a critical space in academia for creating and sharing knowledge based on rigorous scientific research. In that sense, we see ourselves as scholars working in three spheres: research, research-led teaching, and service within and beyond Ghent University.

Assessing the Impact of Urgent Measures in Protecting At-Risk Detainees in Latin-America (IMPACTUM) is a large-scale research project funded by the European Research Council (ERC) (GAP-101044852) and hosted at Ghent University (Belgium). The project is directed by Prof Dr Clara Burbano Herrera (PI) and aims to examine from an interdisciplinary perspective the impacts of urgent measures (also called provisional measures and precautionary measures) adopted by international human rights bodies to protect persons deprived of liberty in six Latin-American countries. This project combines research methods including desk research with (qualitative) empirical research methods. For more information on the project and the research team, see Human Rights in Context website

ABOUT YOUR TASKS

Within the ERC-funded project (IMPACTUM) a 15% research position is offered for a period of 1 year but can be extended to max 2 years based on a positive evaluation.

You will be a member of an interdisciplinary team consisting of legal scholars, criminologists and political scientists. Your assignments will be (1) to assists the PI in coordination and administrative tasks, and (2) to work together with the team on the implementation of the project.
We are particularly looking for one team member with a background in political science with interest in Latin-American studies, prisons and/or human rights, experience in analytical tasks, trained in qualitative research; and with administrative skills.

The following tasks will be expected:

• To contribute to the IMPACTUM research design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting of research findings;
• To assist the PI with communication, organisation activities, and with administrative tasks;
• To contribute to the strong research tradition of the Faculty of Law and Criminology and Ghent University by pursuing excellence in their research;
• To work together with members of the Programme for Studies on Human Rights in Context and contribute to a pleasant and stimulating atmosphere.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• A 15% term appointment for 12 months but can be extended to max 2 years based on a positive evaluation;
• You get the chance to further develop your management and research skills, while also benefiting from working with a large team on a prestigious European project;
• The selected candidate will receive full support from Ghent University, the UGent Human Rights Centre and the Programme for Studies on Human Rights in Context;
• You will work in a dynamic, stimulating, and professional work environment in Ghent, as part of the research team of Human Rights in Context.
• Your start date will ideally be 1 February 2023, although this can be negotiated;
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary WM1-WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree). Several elements are factored into the calculation of the exact salary, including other relevant prior experience and family situation. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, and bicycle allowance. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment system of Ghent Universityno later than 15 December 2022, at 23:59 (CET).

We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system!

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV containing an overview of your study, work career, fieldwork experience (if available) and publications (merged into one pdf file).

• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format. (maximum 500 words). Please explain why you would want to join the project and what specific expertise you can bring to the project.

• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of your degree(s) and grades (merged into one pdf file)

• the required degree (if already in your possession);

• If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than Belgium’s national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages;

• a ‘Certificate of equivalence’ is required for diplomas awarded outside the European Union (This can be requested via www.naricvlaanderen.be/en).

• In the field “other documents” (merged into one pdf file):

• a reference letter, preferably from a former employer or supervisor

• a copy of one publication that demonstrates your theoretical skills and acquaintance with Latin-American studies, human rights, and/or prisons (can be your master thesis)

• a short (max. 50 words) motivation for why you chose this piece (can be co-authored, a link to this article in your cover letter is also OK)

  
  

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

Selection timeline

• Applications should be submitted on or before 15 December 2022 at 23.59h (Central European Time - CET).
• A pre-selection will be made on the basis of the submitted applications. The candidates will be notified by 20 December whether they proceed to interview.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an in-person or video conference interview organised by 28 December.
• We aim to notify final candidates of the outcome of the selection process by 30 December.

Prior to the interview, shortlisted applicants will be asked to prepare a presentation. The interview will consist of the presentation followed-up by a Q&A. During the selection interview, the quality and relevance for this position of the academic and practical experience of the candidates will be assessed.

As Ghent University maintains equal opportunities, equal treatment and equal access and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position. We ensure an objective and non-biased assessment procedure. Origin, ethnicity, gender, age, employment disability, sexual orientation and other identity factors will not be a factor in assessing the competences. Candidates who self-identify as belonging to vulnerable or minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Any candidate who may require special facilities should indicate this in their application, and we will try to accommodate their request.

MORE INFORMATION
Please contact the principal investigator (PI) of the project, Prof Dr Clara Burbano Herrera, if you have further questions about this position and the vacancy: Clara.BurbanoHerrera@UGent.be

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read our FAQ.