Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.
Leiden Law School is one of the leading European Law Schools, including in the fields of European Law and Public International Law. One of our key aims is to combine cutting edge research with high‑level, academic teaching. It is in this context that we are looking for an enthusiastic assistant professor who combines research ambitions with a passion for teaching in the area of European Environmental and Sustainability law. This area is broadly understood as including EU environmental regulation and all EU measures relating to combating climate change and contributing to sustainability, including (unilateral) external measures. Ideally, the candidate can connect EU developments in environmental and sustainability law with other key areas of EU law, such as trade, EU external relations, competitiveness or defence.
Our new colleague will be teaching courses, mainly at master’s level; conduct research, independently and in collaboration with colleagues in the university and international networks; and participate in the activities of the Europa Institute of the Faculty of Law in Leiden. We offer a temporary contract of 18 months for new external candidates or 12 months for internal candidates. A fixed contract after this term is subject to performance and feasibility. A command of Dutch, enabling lecturing in Dutch, is not a prerequisite but a pre.
What you will doKey responsibilities
Teaching
- Teaching and coordinating various courses in the area of European Environmental and Sustainability law in the context of the Master programme in European Law, the Advanced Master in European and International Business law and the Leiden Law Courses (aimed at exchange students)
- Participating in other courses, for instance on European law in general, at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level;
- Co‑supervising Master and PhD students.
Research
- Conducting research in the area of European Environmental and Sustainability law;
- Publishing in (international, peer‑reviewed) scholarly journals;
- Preparing papers for and presenting them at international conferences;
- Initiating and coordinating the submission of proposals for research grants;
- Organising activities/events, including academic conferences and events including stakeholders from outside academia.
- Performing administrative tasks and participating in administrative bodies within the Institute and the Law School at large (e.g. Board of Examiners, the Master Programme Committee, etc.).
Our organisation
The Faculty of Law of the University of Leiden has offices in Leiden and The Hague. With more than 6500 students and around 1000 staff, it is one of the largest university faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty focuses on innovative multidisciplinary research and teaching programmes that are continuously renewed in response to issues in society. Our faculty is large enough to make a difference nationally and internationally, yet small enough to offer personalised teaching. For more information see: Faculty of Law and Leiden University.
The Europa Institute
The Europa Institute of Leiden University is one of the oldest academic institutes specialised in the law of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights; it was established in 1957, the same year as the European Economic Community itself. Maintaining a standard of excellence, the Europa Institute engages in academic research, provides teaching and offers legal advice to the private and public sectors. Through its activities, the Europa Institute contributes to the understanding and development of the rapidly evolving integration in Europe. The Europa Institute is home to the pre‑eminent journal on European Union law, the Common Market Law Review.
What you bringWe are looking for a new colleague with:
- a PhD in the broad area of European Environmental and Sustainability law;
- experience with teaching at university level;
- the capacity to effectively collaborate in groups;
- excellent command of spoken and written English;
- preferably command of Dutch or the willingness to learn Dutch at the level of a working language.
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if you do not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
What we offerOur goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can count on an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
- An initial 18 months position with a trial period as Assistant Professor (Universitair Docent). No automatic fixed position is guaranteed after this initial period, with the possibility of a permanent position depending on funding at that moment. In exceptional circumstances, the position may be granted to an otherwise highly qualified candidate who did not yet defend his/her PhD thesis, but will do so within the first 12 months of employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
- A salary is based on experience and education between €4728 - €6433 gross per month, based on a full‑time appointment (38 hours) (Scale 11);
- Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end‑of‑year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave;
- Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions;
- Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More information here;
- Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification. If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or an equivalent, he/she must obtain this Qualification within two years;
- Almost all academic staff at the Faculty of Law are members of and make a significant contribution to one of our faculty research programs.
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.
Want to apply or find out more?If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
Please submit online your application no later than 1 May 2026 via the blue button in our application system. You can address your application to Prof. Armin Cuyvers, head of the Department of European Law. Please attach the following documents:
- your CV;
- a letter of motivation in which you describe how your skills and expertise match the job requirements;
- a one‑page research memo in which you outline the research you would like to do during the coming years;
- copies of your academic certificates;
- your dissertation and/or examples of up to three published articles and/or book chapters;
- names and contact details (e‑mail addresses) of three academic references – including your PhD supervisor(s) – who know you and your work well.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact prof. Armin Cuyvers, at a.cuyvers@law.leidenuniv.nl. You can apply until 1 mei 2026; We plan to have our interviews in the week of 25 May, with an envisioned start date around 15 August 2025.
- Leiden University expects faculty members to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO). If the new employee does not yet hold this qualification or its equivalent, they must be willing to obtain it within two years.
- Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this. #LI-Hybrid
Title
Assistant Professor European Environmental and Sustainability law
#J-18808-Ljbffr€4728 - €6433 monthly