Netherlands: PhD position 'International Criminal Trials as Theatrical Performances'

Deadline: 20th October 2012

Vrije Universiteit of Amsterdam -Department of Transnational Legal Studies

For 0,8-1,0 fte
Vacancy number: 1.2012.00232

The Department of Transnational Legal Studies of the Law Faculty of VU University Amsterdam is looking for a PhD on the topic of: Iconic Justice, International Criminal Trials as Theatrical Performances.

Project Description

International criminal trials are not solely a matter of determining individual guilt or innocence. They also provide a platform for competing narratives about the nature and evolution of conflicts, about conflicting world views and about diverging conceptions of justice. Participants use international trials to broadcast their worldviews to wider audiences. Legal scholarship, however, has neglected the theatrical elements of international trials. This project seeks to remedy this neglect through an examination of cases across different courts and tribunals, studying linked dramaturgical and political strategies exhibited by key participants. The research potentially includes material as diverse as documentaries and films, for the way in which international criminal trials are narrated and portrayed.

The research will be supervised by Prof. Dr. W.G. Werner. A second supervisor will be appointed after the selection of the candidate. The candidate will participate in the research program Boundaries of Law as well as in the COST Action International Law Between Constitutionalization and Fragmentation chaired by Prof. Werner
(http://www.il-cf.eu).

Tasks

• Research resulting in a PhD thesis in the form of a book or articles in academic journals;
• (Limited) teaching in international law and/or international relations.

Requirements

We are looking for candidates with a master degree in one of the following fields: law, political science, philosophy and sociology. The candidate should have a demonstrable interest in international criminal law and should be able to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

Further particulars

The initial appointment will be for a period of 12 months. When evaluation in the first year is satisfactory, the appointment will be extended for three (full time basis) of four (0,8 fte basis) more years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:

• remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance;
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• generous contribution (70%) commuting allowance based on public transport.

Salary

Salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and amounts to € 2.042,- gross per month in the first year up to € 2.612,- in the fourth year (salary scale 85) based on a full-time employment.

Additional information

For additional information, please contact Prof. Dr. W.G. Werner, w.werner@rechten.vu.nl.

Application

Please send before October 20^th, 2012 in the following documents:

• a motivation letter
• a short c.v.
• a text of max. 400 words indicating the proposed focus of the research, as well as the theoretical and methodological approaches

Please do not send long documents along with your application.

The application should be sent to: VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law, attn. Mr. M.J.J. van Raaphorst, Managing Director, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands, or (preferably) by e-mail:vacatures.rechten@vu.nl via the Apply button below. Please mention the vacancy number in the e-mail header or at the top left of the letter and envelope.