→ Apply before 06/07/2025 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
→ Faculty of Law and Criminology
→ Department: RE23 - Criminologie, Strafrecht en Sociaal Recht
→ Occupancy rate:100%
→ Number of positions: 1
→ Type of employment: Contract of unlimited duration
→ Term of assignment:
→ Wage scale: WM1 to WM4 (master degree)
→ Required diploma:Master
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
YOUR TASKS
We are recruiting one full-time researcher with an interest in the legislative landscape and regulatory frameworks surrounding child sexual abuse online, with a specific focus on evidence admissibility and regular and undercover investigation to complete the 3 year Horizon Europe research project “SALVUS (Ensuring SAfer justice outcomes in onLine, including undercoVer, child sexUal abuse inveStigations)”. This project is funded for a maximum period of 3 years.
You will be expected to take primary responsibility to conduct research pertaining to EU-wide regulatory frameworks surrounding CSA and investigation practices in public policing organizations and private organizations. The analysis will examine the admissibility of evidence in CSA investigations, jurisdictional sharing of evidence, privacy and protection of victims, legal adaptability to rapidly evolving technologies and CSA online crimes and best practices surrounding it. The aim is to create a set of recommendations on the existing legal frameworks and investigative practices in CSA online, including undercover and evidence collection and explore the possible harmonisation of EU law in this area. These recommendations will be targeted towards LEAs, European Courts and policy makers to ensure a more harmonised legal process. On top of this, you are expected to contribute to certain work packages led by the project’s partners related to these topics and with other specific foci such as technological possibilities for investigating CSA and supporting the development of qualitative training for CSA investigators. Participation in the SALVUS project should support the completion of a PhD as the comprehensive nature of the project provides an excellent foundation for doctoral research.
You will take primary responsibility for the scientific preparation, follow-up, implementation, and completion of this project. This includes collecting, processing, and analyzing data, presenting intermediate results at project consortium meetings and international conferences, and publishing findings in academic journals.
As a PhD student, you will be supervised by Prof. Gert Vermeulen (Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law). You will be based at the Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law.
As a (phd) researcher your key tasks are:
To manage and carry through your research project;
To collect and analyze data for the project;
To write peer-reviewed articles in English and merge them into a PhD dissertation;
To disseminate your research results by presenting intermediate results at project consortium meetings, scientific conferences and publish findings in academic journals;
In addition, you will participate in the activities of Prof. Gert Vermeulen’s research team (see below, About Prof. Vermeulen and the research team).
English will be your main working language.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The SALVUS Project aims to address gaps in knowledge, best practices, and legislative frameworks related to online and undercover child sexual abuse (CSA) investigations. It seeks to develop innovative recommendations, best practice guidance and training to remedy regional and national shortcomings. The project will explore harmonising European Law to ensure uniformity in evidence collection for CSA investigations, aligning with European values and fundamental rights.
The aim of this 3 year project is to develop European guidelines of best practices for CSA online, including undercover investigations with special attention for ensuring legality and effectiveness of evidence collection, leading to better justice outcomes. Furthermore, the project aims to map innovative tech support tools and provide training and guidance to support LEAs and forensic institutes.
The project leans heavily on its varied network of partners and stakeholders such as:
Trilateral research limited (coordinating partner)
ICMEC Switzerland
Centre for Children’s Rights Greece
Federal Police Belgium
University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies Serbia
Ministry of Justice Portugal
The Police Foundation
Ministry of Interior Finland
Vrije Universiteit Brussels
Aston University
Gradiant Spain
This project focuses on co-constructing research through partnerships between researchers, stakeholders, community members, and others with relevant knowledge to generate actionable insights and improve justice outcomes in CSA investigations. Engaging key stakeholders will be essential to identify pathways for European harmonization and standardization in CSA investigations. The project adheres to a human rights-based approach through prioritizing the needs and rights of victims, addressing inequalities and promoting human rights.
The project provides funding for a maximum period of three years, starting from June 1, 2025.
Institutional embedding
About Ghent University
Ghent University is a top 100 university. It is one of the major universities in Belgium and one of the largest universities in the Dutch language area. Our 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offer a broad spectrum of high-quality research-based educational programs and conduct in-depth research within a wide range of scientific domains. Several of our research groups, centers and institutes are renowned worldwide and you will find many eminent scientists among our alumni, including multiple Noble prize winners. Ghent university is known for its scientific expertise in life sciences and medicine, materials and agricultural science, veterinary medicine, psychology and history, and many more.
Ghent University occupies a specific position among the Flemish universities. We are a socially committed and pluralistic university that is open to all students and staff, regardless of their ideological, political, cultural or social background. Our credo is ‘Dare to Think’, challenging everyone to question conventional views and to dare to take a nuanced point of view.
About the Faculty of Law and Criminology
The Faculty of Law and Criminology provides academic teaching and services based on innovative scientific research. The education within these programs is supported by the innovative scientific research performed within the 3 faculty departments encompassing all possible disciplines within the fields of law and criminological sciences. The Faculty is housed in the historic center of Ghent.
About the Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy
The Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy (IRCP) has a decades-long tradition of conducting high-quality independent scientific research. It provides advice to policy and practice and participates in societal debates. The Institute is integrated into the Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law of the Faculty of Law and Criminology at Ghent University and consists of 13 professors, 3 visiting professors, 3 post-doctoral researchers, and many pre-doctoral researchers and teaching assistants. The IRCP has grown out of a group of lawyers and criminologists, but now houses scientists with a very diverse scientific background and education.
About Prof. Vermeulen and the research team
Gert Vermeulen (PhD in law) is senior full professor of (European and international) criminal law, sexual offending and data protection law at Ghent University. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the University, director of the Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy (IRCP) and Director of the Knowledge and Research Platform on Privacy, Information Exchange, Law Enforcement and Surveillance (PIXLES). He teaches a.o. European criminal policy, International criminal law, Sexual offending, prostitution & human trafficking and Data protection law. He is also general director of publications, executive committee member, scientific committee member and member of the board of directors of the International Association of Penal Law and editor-in-chief of the International Review of Penal Law (RIDP).
Within the IRCP, Prof. Vermeulen supervises an international and multidisciplinary team of postdoctoral and pre-doctoral researchers, with backgrounds in a variety of disciplines. The research of Prof. Vermeulen’s team focuses on multiple themes, including sexual offending, European law enforcement, data & privacy and terrorism.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- You hold a Master’s degree of Master in laws, or an equivalent degree. This position is also open to candidates currently completing their final master's year. The diploma is required at the start of employment.
You’re ready to relocate to Belgium as your main residence for the time of their contract (3 year max);
You’re willing to spend (a) period(s) of time abroad as appropriate and to participate in international conferences;
You are fluent in English as their primary working language, both passively and actively.
In addition, applicants are expected to demonstrate the following:
Excellent academic track record, as evidenced by excellent grades during their Master’s degree;
Excellent academic writing and presentation skills;
Ability to work both independently and as member of a multidisciplinary and international team.
Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate one or more of the following:
Outstanding interest in, and/or experience in EU legislative and regulatory frameworks.
Experience or interest in child sexual abuse (CSA) investigations and evidence admissibility.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract of indefinite duration.
- Your contract will start as soon as possible/in mutual agreement
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale WM1 to WM4 (if you hold a Master’s degree). 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, a bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
- Individual agreements can be made regarding remote work and flexible working hours.
- We strive for a healthy work-life balance and foster a supportive work environment where individual differences are welcomed and valued.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘CV’: your CV including a list of your publications (if applicable)
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format in English (single spaced, font Calibri 11, max. 2 pages) in which you systematically address the following questions: Why do you wish to pursue research in this area? How does your expertise match the research? What is your prior experience (if applicable)? How you propose to complete your main task?
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree and grades (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
- In the field “other documents”:Contact information of at least two academic references.
- Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
EVALUATION PROCEDURE
The submitted documents will be used to shortlist candidates. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a (video conference) interview.
During the selection interview, the quality and relevance for this position of the academic and practical experience of the candidates will be assessed.
The selection process will be carried out by Prof. Gert Vermeulen (selection chair) and a colleague. They may invite additional colleagues as appropriate to aid in their assessment. Prior to the interview, a definite list of interview participants will be shared with the candidates.
Any candidate who may require special facilities should indicate this in their application, and we will try to accommodate their request.
We aim to notify all candidates of the results of the selection process no later than the end of July.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. dr. Gert Vermeulen ([email protected]). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via [email protected] or +32 9 264 34 36
