2 Full-time PhD Positions on the Competition of Normativities

The Interdisciplinary Seminar for Legal Studies of the Université Saint-Louis - Brussels;
The Perelman Centre for Legal Philosophy at the Université Libre de Bruxelles;
The Department of Moral and Political Philosophy at the Université de Liège

are calling for applications for:

Two full-time PhD positions (+/- 1700€ net/month) to join a research project on the competition of normativities. The appointed persons are due to start on September 15th 2013 for a 2-year period, renewable once.

Research Project

The research project is funded by the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (F.R.S.-FNRS, FRFC project). The objective is to explore how “new normativities” replace, compete with or complement classical legal instruments. ISO standards, international accounting standards, managerial standards in the domain of justice, indicators, rankings, ratings and other European technical standards appear to constitute a new mode of regulation characteristic of “societies of control”, which differs from the legal and political model of sovereignty. The project aims to laid down a theoretical and critical model of standardization that would account, on the one hand, for the consistency and the articulation of these normative devices and, on the other hand, for their interactions with legal rules. The project relies on a theoretical framework of legal philosophy and legal theory with a strong focus on practice. It will also draw on insights from other disciplines - in particular sociology and economics.

Requirements

The candidate will hold a Master’s degree in Law or Philosophy. The degree should have been obtained no longer than seven years ago. Holding a double Master’s degree in Philosophy and Law or a degree in Sociology or Economics is a plus. Fluency in both English and French is required.
The candidate is expected to write a PhD under the supervision of both (1) prof. B. Frydman (or another professor from the Perelman Centre at the Université Libre de Bruxelles) and (2) prof. F. Ost (Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles) or prof. E. Delruelle (Université de Liège). The dissertation will deal with the competition of normativities. The precise topic will be decided in joint agreement between the candidate and the research teams.

The candidate will be able to develop an original research project in collaboration with the members from different disciplines and teams taking part in the project. He/she will be actively involved in the research activities of the teams that are carrying out the project, as well as in the administrative tasks inherent to the life of a research centre.

Applications

Applications should include: a cover letter, a complete curriculum vitae and at least one sample of academic writing in French or English.
Applications must be sent by email to Mrs Sylvie Riche (Sylvie.Riche@ulb.ac.be) no later than May 10th 2013.