Researcher in International (Criminal) Law

The researcher will join the MATRA Advancing the rule of law in Ukraine: strengthening the judicial system and freedom of expression (2025-2029) and Restoring dignity and justice in Ukraine: a whole-of-society approach to accountability for international crimes (2025-2027) projects.

Applications need to be done via email (). Do not use the apply button of the page

The position will entail implementation of Ukraine-related capacity-building projects focused on international humanitarian law (IHL) international criminal law (ICL) international human rights law and rule of law. The majority of the tasks will consist of organizing and implementing trainings building and maintaining a network of beneficiaries and stakeholders in Ukraine conducting legal research drafting legal and policy-related reports and other written materials and supporting the team in similar tasks. The tasks include cooperating with criminal justice professionals in Ukraine (and the Netherlands): judges prosecutors investigators defence and victims counsel journalists students and the addition the position entails supporting the team in monitoring and evaluation reporting coordination with consortium partners and organising public events.

• Implement a variety of activities under international (criminal) law capacity building projects in Ukraine as explained above;
  
• Prepare written materials for the purpose of implementation of the projects;
• Conduct applied/legal research in the field of international (criminal) law;
  
• Willingness to engage with the media;
• Engage with project partners and relevant stakeholders;
  
• Contribute to the drafting of proposals to acquire new (research) funding;
• Work closely together with other researchers;
  
• Engage actively with the Asser (research) community.

• A strong interest in and understanding of current international (criminal) law debates in particular in the context of Ukraine;
  
• Availability and willingness to travel to implement project activities in Ukraine (required);
• Experience or a demonstrable interest in working including conducting research in professional and/or academic context;
  
• Ability to speak with both academics and practitioners as well as funders and other stakeholders from supreme court judges and ministers to students;
• Experience or a demonstrable interest in doing acquisition work;
  
• Experience or a demonstrable interest in implementing (capacity building) projects;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
  
• Strong English language skills;
• Strong drafting skills particularly policy- and public communications- related;
  
• Willingness to work and live in (the vicinity of) The Hague;
• Command of the Ukrainian language is an advantage.
  
• PhD in international law is an advantage.

• We offer an appointment for 38 hours a week initially for the period of one year with a probationary period of two months.
  
• The starting date ideally is the 1 September 2026 (negotiable).
• To this position applies UFO profile Onderzoeker 4-3 and salary scale 10-11. Remuneration depends on the actual level of education experience and knowledge and amounts to a minimum of 3.546 and maximum of 6.433 gross per month for full-time work excluding a holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten) is applicable.
  
• A temporary reduction in income tax (equal to 30% of taxable salary) may apply to non-Dutch candidates.
• An inspiring friendly and diverse working environment with nice (international) colleagues.
  
• 29 days holiday at full employment and extra holidays between Christmas and New Year.
• Compensation for travel-to-work expenses a working-from-home allowance and an internet allowance.
  
• Yearly periodic increases in salary within the respective salary scale and according to the Collective Labour Agreement.
• Hybrid working possibilities.
  
• Excellent working facilities.
• Pension accrual with ABP.
  
• Excellent study and development opportunities.
• You will be employed by the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Law but seconded to the T.M.C. Asser Institute in The Hague.
  
• Only candidates with permission to work in the Netherlands will be considered.

Established in 1965 the T.M.C. Asser Instituut is an independent and internationally renowned research centre in international and European law affiliated with the University of Amsterdam. The Asser Institutes mission is to contribute to the development of international and European public and private law.

The MATRA 2025-2029programme implementedin cooperation with theCenter for International Legal Cooperation(CILC)is an initiative thatfocuses on improving the fairness accessibility and transparency of Ukraines justice system while strengthening protections for freedom of expression and media freedomcritical elements for Ukraines EU accession journey.

Focus areas:

• Right to a fair trial: Developing advanced training programs for judges on fair trial rights freedom of expression and crisis communication. Involving CSOs to strengthen the impact of trial monitoring outcomes and creating dialogue platforms between legal actors policymakers and media representatives.
  
• Protections of media freedom and freedom of expression: Empowering legal actorsjudges prosecutors and law enforcementto protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression according to international standards.
• AI for the rule of law: Assessing and implementing AI technologies to advance fundamental rights within the judicial system.

Restoring Dignity and Justice in Ukraine.This consortiumprogramme led bytheInternational Development Law Organization (IDLO)in cooperation with the Asser InstituteCILC and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee(NHC)combines targeted legal capacity-building policy support and international cooperation to address both immediate accountability needs and longer-term institutional resiliencein the field of accountability for international crimes.

Focus areasof the Asser sub-project:

• Strengthening ICL and IHLexpertiseacross the justice systemwith particular attention to procedural safeguards derived from European human rights activitiesof the Asser sub-projectinclude specialised training and knowledge-sharing for the judiciary and defence lawyers targetedexpertiseon emerging accountability challenges such as the pillaging and illegal exploitation of natural resources in armed conflict and legal education in ICL.
  
• Advancing transitional justice policy and coordination. TheAssersub-project supports Ukrainian policymakers and legal actors in developing a clearer understanding of transitional justice(TJ)mechanisms including truth-seeking reparations memorialisation and institutional reform. Through policy-oriented support capacity-building and structured dialogue it helps link local-level experiences and needs with national TJ policy development contributing to a more coherent victim-centred and sustainable approach.
• Enhancing international judicial cooperation on international crimes.TheAssersub-project strengthens awareness and practical implementation of international and EU judicial cooperation instruments among Ukrainian legal actors and focus on improving understanding of applicable legal frameworksanalysingand addressing gaps in domestic legislation andprovidingpractical guidance to support effective implementation.

If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position we would like to receive your motivation letter (max 700 words) and CV in English.

You can apply via email to mentioning Application Researcher International Criminal Law in the subject line. Applications are open untilMonday 13 July 23:59 CET. Individual interviews will take place in the week of20 July 2026. The envisaged starting date is1 September 2026 or soon thereafter.

For questions about the position you can contact: Dr Gabriele Chlevickaitė-

Do not use the Apply button on the vacancy page.

In the event of equal suitability internal candidates are given priority. While we appreciate all expressions of interest only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Employment agencies should not submit applications. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received enough applications and before the advertised closing date.