Professor of Public International Law at Universiteit van Amsterdam

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is seeking to appoint a Professor of Public International Law.

The Chair of Public International Law (PIL) is a structural chair (kernleerstoel) at the heart of the department of International and European Law at the Faculty of Law. The Chair has been held by Professor André Nollkaemper (Dean of the Amsterdam Law School from 2016 until the end of 2023). After his deanship, Professor Nollkaemper is appointed as university professor.

International Law is a topic of public interest and of considerable societal relevance. The domain of the Chair deals with questions of international legality generally, and with their implications for Europe and the Netherlands in particular. The persistence of war and conflict, the nested crises of the climate and of social justice, of migration etc.—they all call for the expert input from a vocal Chair in public international law.

The appointment is for 1 FTE.

Further details can be found in the structure report. 

Activities 

Research

The Chair has traditionally emphasized the reception and implementation of international law in the European and Dutch legal order and there are good reasons to continue with that emphasis. Such an emphasis corresponds to highlighting the societal relevance of international legal debates in European and Dutch contexts in particular, in line with the vision of the Amsterdam Law School.

The Chair, therefore, has wide and deep expertise in general Public International Law and its doctrine. The Chair can work across different sub-fields and appreciates different theoretical approaches. Knowledge of the European and Dutch legal orders and their interaction is a strong asset. There is otherwise no further limitation ab initio.

The Chair in PIL produces innovative research on general PIL—on cross-cutting questions and specific sub-fields. The research is rooted in an impeccable command of legal doctrine, and it advances such doctrine. It draws on interdisciplinary insights and is open to a variety of different approaches to the law, in line with the Faculty Strategic Plan. The Chair interacts comfortably with the diversity of doctrinal and other theoretical approaches within its research center, the Amsterdam Center for International Law (ACIL), and the section. In coordination with the Research Director of ACIL, the Chair actively seeks cooperation and collaboration within the faculty, the University and beyond.

Given the societal relevance of PIL, the Chair contributes to knowledge-transfer (valorisation and impact) and makes active contributions to public discourse and is ready to speak to media on PIL related issues. 

Teaching

The Chair contributes to the teaching of PIL in the bachelor as well as graduate (LLM) programmes and partakes, in collaboration with the Programme Directors, in the further development of the teaching programmes.

With regard to teaching in the bachelor programme, this notably includes the compulsory courses ‘Internationaal en Europees Recht’ in year 1 and ‘Internationaal Publiekrecht’ in year 3. The chair, together with the programme directors of the bachelor programme, oversees the contents and organization of these courses, and teaches several classes.

The Chair takes an active role in overseeing and shaping the LLM track in PIL, together with the Programme Director and Track Coordinators. The Chair thus complements the Professor in International Economic Law and Governance, who does the same for the track in International Trade and Investment Law.

The Chair will also actively participate in graduate level teaching in the LLM on Public International Law, in (some of the) general compulsory courses general compulsory course such as ‘Principles and Foundations of International Law’, as well as in electives linked to the expertise of the Chair holder. 

Leadership

The Chair should take an active role in the leadership of the section and the department, notably as head of section and, in coordination with the head of section of European Law, also as head of department. The tenure for these specific leadership positions can alternate with other Professors in the section and department; it is expected that the Chair assumes these roles at the beginning of her/his appointment for a minimum of three years.

The Chair contributes to the leadership of the section and department in an inspiring and facilitative fashion. She/he shows a clear, proven commitment to ensuring social safety, is aware of considerable work pressures, and is pro-active in tackling related issues. She/he is committed in word and spirit to further fostering diversity and cultivating a positive and collaborative work environment. 

Department and Research Center 

The Chair of PIL is embedded within the department of International and European Law and stands at the center of the section of International Law. The Chair shall, by default, lead the section of International Law. The Chair thus mirrors and complements the department’s other section, i.e. European Law, and its Chair.

The PIL section currently counts 20 fte, and 26 colleagues. This includes five full-time (1fte) and two part-time (0,1fte) Professors in specific sub-fields of Public International Law (PIL). None of these professorships has the general, cross-cutting outlook as the present Chair of PIL.

The research of the Chair is carried out within the ambit of the Amsterdam Center for International Law (ACIL) and within present and future collaborations. ACIL is one of the faculty’s largest research centers and is home to the researchers of the section of international law, as well as members from other departments, notably public law. It counts just over 50 researchers and about 20 fte.

Centered on the mission of ‘promoting the critical understanding and progressive development of international law’, ACIL unites a diversity of perspectives on international law. ACIL has repeatedly been assessed as excellent. The latest external research assessment of 2023 once more observed that ‘[t]he research produced at ACIL is agenda-setting in the discipline.’ 

Profile 

The Chair holding Professor has:

• a graduate degree and PhD in Law;
• excellent doctrinal knowledge of general Public International Law; a demonstrated interest in the question of the relationship between international and domestic legal orders is an asset. This expertise and interest can be demonstrated by high-quality publications in established international fora, invited conference papers and presentations, fellowships, consultancies, etc.;
• inspiring leadership, communication, and inter-personal skills that facilitate colleagues’ flourishment, and an eye for the diverse strengths and personal development needs of staff;
• readiness to take up the position of head of section (possibly head of department) from the start of the appointment;
• willingness and proven ability to perform administrative, organizational and managerial tasks;
• experience in applying for competitive research or teaching grants;
• readiness to contribute to further developing an excellent research group in the field of Public International Law, anchored at the Amsterdam Center for International Law (ACIL);
• a proven interest in interdisciplinary collaboration;
• proven ability to successfully supervise PhD students and/or junior researchers;
• excellent didactic skills, as evidenced, among other things, by evaluations and educational qualifications (such as BKO, SKO); ability to engage in research-based teaching;
• national and international networks, and contacts necessary to initiate relevant national and international partnerships;
• excellent command of Dutch in speaking and writing including the capacity to teach in Dutch, or the commitment and ability to reach such a level within 2-3 years;
• excellent command of the English professional language. 

About the University of Amsterdam and the Faculty of Law 

The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest range of education. An intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 PhD students. Connected by a culture of curiosity.

Committed, responsible and open-minded. This is how we at the Faculty of Law look at the role of law in a (international) society that is constantly changing. With over 5,000 students and 550 employees, we are one of the larger law faculties in the Netherlands. 

Further information 

Enquiries can be addressed to Prof. I. (Ingo) Venzke, Professor of International Law and Social Justice, at i.venzke@uva.nl. 

Application 

If you recognize yourself in this profile and if you are interested in this position, we request, in English:

• a cover letter explaining your motivation to apply for this position;
• a CV including a list of publications;
• a statement on the vision for research and for teaching.

An assessment may be part of the procedure.

Closing date for applications is 17 January 2024. Interviews will take place in February/March 2024.