The Institute for European Studies (IEE) of the Saint-Louis Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IRIS-L) at UCLouvain is looking for a researcher interested in pursuing a PhD within a project on the legitimacy of interest groups in the European Union (EU).
Job description
The selected candidate will be expected to prepare a research proposal and conduct doctoral research as part of the project outlined below. The PhD position is funded by the FSR Seedfund of UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles. The funding covers a period of two years (renewable for an additional two years subject to specific conditions) and corresponds to a doctoral tax-free grant (full-time), including social security contributions. The candidate will be expected to apply for F.R.S.- FNRS funding under the guidance of the project supervisors. The doctoral research will be conducted under the joint supervision of Samuel Defacqz, Assistant Professor at UCLouvain, and Sophie Jacquot, Professor at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles. The PhD candidate will be affiliated with the Institute for European Studies and will be enrolled in the UCLouvain doctoral training programme, benefiting from the university’s academic environment and support infrastructure.
Profile
We are seeking a candidate who meets the following criteria:
- Holds a master’s degree in political science, European studies, public administration or a related discipline. Students currently in the final year of their master’s programme are encouraged to apply, provided they obtain their degree by 1 October 2025. By that date, candidates must have completed at least 300 ECTS credits (including both bachelor’s and master’s degrees) and obtained a minimum grade of 14/20 in their master’s degree, in order to meet the requirements for admission to the doctoral programme at UCLouvain
- Demonstrated academic interest in topics related to EU governance, interest representation, and public affairs
- Strong command of English, both written and spoken. Proficiency in French is desirable
- Experience in academic research (Master thesis, research papers, research assistance, academic publications, etc.)
- A curious, motivated, and proactive mindset, with the capacity for critical thinking and the ability to conduct independent research
- A strong sense of academic community and a willingness to actively engage in the activities of the IEE and the IRIS-L
- A willingness to develop both qualitative and quantitative research skills, including data collection and analysis techniques, to participate in research stays abroad, and to attend national and international conferences and research events
- An openness to contribute to teaching support, on a limited basis
Research project – The Legitimacy of Interest Groups: The Perspective of Institutional Actors of the European Union
This research project seeks to advance understanding of how institutional actors within the European Union (EU) perceive the legitimacy of interest groups seeking to influence them. It compares the perspectives of officials working within the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union. More specifically, the project addresses two central research questions: (RQ1) How do institutional actors within the EU perceive the legitimacy of interest groups? (RQ2) What accounts for the variation in these perceptions of the legitimacy of interest groups across individuals and institutions? Interest groups have long played a role in the European integration process and in EU policymaking. Over time, however, their interactions with EU institutions have evolved and become increasingly institutionalised. Interest groups are recognised as key actors in the EU governance system: they contribute not only to the broader legitimacy of the European project but also to the strategic positioning and functioning of each institution. In this context, it is crucial to better understand the factors that shape how institutional actors assess the legitimacy of interest groups. The aim of this research is thus to empirically investigate, through both qualitative and quantitative methods, what institutional actors themselves consider crucial when selecting, meeting with, and listening to interest groups. This renewed approach to the study of lobbying, grounded in a micro-level analysis and a cross-institutional comparison, shifts the focus toward the perspectives of the targets within interest group–policy-maker interactions.
Application process and deadline
Applications should be submitted in a single pdf file and must include:
- A letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages), outlining your research interests and explaining how your profile aligns with the project
- A detailed CV (including academic qualifications, relevant courses taken, and, where applicable, a list of publications or conference presentations)
- The contact details of two academic referees
Applications should be sent by email to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 23 June 2025 (23:59).
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to: (1) submit a written assignment (maximum 1,000 words) describing how they would approach the research project (i.e. definition of a research design), based on a literature review that will be provided; (2) participate in an online interview, scheduled to take place during the week of 7–11 July 2025.
The expected start date of the position is 1 September 2025, with some flexibility depending on the candidate’s personal circumstances.
Additional information
UCLouvain follows a policy of gender inclusion and non-discrimination aimed at achieving greater equality, respect and diversity in its academic community.
If you have any questions concerning this application process, feel free to directly email Samuel Defacqz at [email protected]
