Last application date May 20, 2025 00:00
Department RE21 - Department of Interdisciplinary Study of Law, Private Law and Business Law
Contract Limited duration
Degree master’s degree in law
Occupancy rate 100%
Vacancy type Research staff
Job description
The Center for the Future of Dispute Resolution at the University of Ghent School of Law and Criminology is currently accepting applications for a full-time position as a doctoral researcher. We invite highly qualified candidates to join our team and contribute to a four-year research project funded by the FWO/UGent, titled 'Digitalization and the Future of Arbitration – An (Re-)evaluation of the Fundamentals of Arbitration'.
Research Project
This research proposal explores how legal proceedings—specifically arbitration—have evolved and continue to evolve in response to emerging technologies. The digital revolution has introduced a range of technological innovations into international arbitration, from widely adopted case management tools to artificial intelligence and, in some instances, blockchain applications.
While these developments offer considerable potential to improve the efficiency of arbitral proceedings, they also present important challenges. The primary challenge lies in striking the right balance between procedural efficiency and the safeguarding of the parties' fundamental procedural rights.
This proposed research aims to facilitate the further integration of technology in arbitration by critically examining the various ways in which technological tools can enhance arbitral processes. It also seeks to assess to what extent such innovations can be reconciled with existing norms of procedural fairness and technology law. In doing so, the research intends to challenge the current cautious approach taken by major arbitration stakeholders and to contribute to reducing both the cost and duration of the thousands of arbitration proceedings initiated each year.
The research will combine empirical analysis with traditional legal methodology and will require interdisciplinary input, including technological exploration and expertise.
Research Environment
The project will be conducted under the supervision of Professor Maud Piers, head of the Center for the Future of Dispute Resolution.
The Center for the Future of Dispute Resolution explores how dispute resolution is and should be evolving in response to digitalization, out-of-court procedures, and emerging legal technologies such as blockchain. Our research focuses on four key themes: the role of human decision-makers in an increasingly automated landscape; the balance between efficiency and legitimacy; the impact of fairness perceptions on decision-making and conflict resolution outcomes; and the transformative effects of blockchain on legal architecture. Through an interdisciplinary and comparative lens, we aim to contribute to policy and shape the next generation of dispute resolution systems.
The Center brings together a dynamic group of committed scholars with expertise in mediation, arbitration, litigation, and hybrid forms of dispute resolution. As a member of our research community, you will collaborate with motivated peers who share a forward-looking vision on how dispute resolution can and should evolve.
For more information about our work, please visit our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/76118869/
Your tasks
Your primary responsibility will be to develop and complete a doctoral dissertation under the guidance of Professor Dr. Maud Piers, in line with the framework and requirements of the research project.
The project invites a high degree of intellectual autonomy. You are expected to take the lead in conducting independent research and to critically engage with both legal and technological developments relevant to arbitration. In doing so, you will explore questions such as:
How and to what extent are arbitration stakeholders currently using technology in traditional offline arbitration settings?
What does the current regulatory framework say about the integration of technology in arbitration procedures?
Which legal challenges might arise when implementing specific technologies within this framework?
How do core principles of arbitration hold up in light of these developments, and what do they mean for the future architecture of arbitral justice?
The aim is not only to answer these questions, but also to refine and expand them as your research progresses, contributing original insights to both legal scholarship and practical debates around technology and dispute resolution.
As part of this role, you are also expected to actively engage with the research community at Ghent University, participate in relevant seminars and group activities, and contribute to the vibrant academic environment of the university.
Additionally, you will dedicate an average of maximum four hours per week to providing support in educational activities.
Our offer
- We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which - after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
- Your contract will start on 01/07/2025 at the earliest.
- The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. 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, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
- We offer an appealing and internationally-oriented work environment, providing exceptional resources and fostering a supportive atmosphere. As the selected candidate, you can expect the following benefits:
- Your research will be conducted under the expert guidance of Professor Dr. Maud Piers, a recognized authority in the field.
- You will have the opportunity to actively participate in a multidisciplinary research group at the Center for the Future of Dispute Resolution, facilitating continuous scientific exchange and collaboration.
- You will have access to a comprehensive library and the possibility of engaging in research stays abroad will be made available to you, further enriching your academic experience.
You are expected to be based in Ghent throughout the four-year period of your doctoral research, with Ghent University serving as your main academic home. This does not exclude the possibility of working from home on certain days, provided this is discussed and agreed upon with your supervisor. In addition, academic research visits and participation in international conferences are highly encouraged and supported. However, as part of your role, you are also expected to actively engage with the research community at Ghent University, participate in relevant seminars and group activities, and contribute to the vibrant academic environment of the university. For more detailed information on working conditions, benefits, and career prospects as a PhD fellow at Ghent University, please visit: https://www.ugent.be/en/work/talent.
At the Faculty of Law and Criminology, we are committed to promoting gender equality and diversity. We enthusiastically welcome applications from individuals with disabilities. Additionally, we strive to increase the representation of women in areas where they are currently underrepresented and actively encourage qualified women to apply. Similarly, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in the fields of science and research, taking into account factors such as gender, age, professional and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientation, and nationality.
Job profile
- You must possess a university degree in law and have demonstrated excellent academic performance. Candidates should have completed a master's degree at the time of signing the PhD contract.
- An excellent command of the English language is essential, and knowledge of additional languages relevant to the regional focus (such as Dutch, French, or German) would be advantageous.
- Your curriculum vitae should demonstrate your potential to conduct research at a high international level. You should exhibit meticulousness in your work and the ability to meet deadlines. Independence and a strong interest in arbitration law, procedural law, and technology law, along with a demonstrated understanding of arbitration law, are required.
- The ability to conduct independent legal research is essential; evidence of this—such as previously published papers—will be considered a strong asset.
- Moreover, you should be capable of actively collaborating within the research group.
How to apply
Please address your application to Prof. Dr. Maud Piers ([email protected]).
Attach the following documents to your application as PDF files:
- A cover letter explaining your interest in the position and why you believe you are a suitable candidate based on the selection criteria.
- A comprehensive CV, including a list of any publications.
- Copies of your university certificates.
- If you have already obtained your Master's degree at the time of application, include a copy. If not, you must provide evidence that you will obtain the diploma before October 1.
- A copy of a paper you wrote during your studies that showcases your research experience and skills (e.g., thesis).
Please submit your application online no later than 20 May 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in the first half of June, and the final decision will be communicated by the end of the month. The position is expected to start as soon as possible thereafter.
For any inquiries regarding the project's scientific aspects, you are encouraged to contact Maud Piers.
