External PhD candidates
Leiden Law School offers the possibility of becoming an external (non-funded) doctoral candidate. External PhD candidates should have a research proposal that fits one of the faculty's current research programmes and the expertise of the intended supervisor(s).
At Leiden Law School, three departments offer a special programme to pursue a PhD track as an external PhD researcher, for which they charge a fee: the International Institute of Air and Space Law, the Van Vollenhoven Institute and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.
Application procedure
Applications are submitted through the online application form only and are accepted throughout the year.
The name(s) of the intended supervisor(s) - Professor(s) or Associate Professors granted ius promovendi at Leiden Law School - are to be included in the form, and have been contacted prior to application.
Decisions on applications are made only in case the form and all required documents are received by the Graduate School.
The full application includes the form accompanied by the following annexes:
- a research proposal of at least 2,000 words (excl. bibliography) describing as a minimum the research questions, the main relevant literature, the academic and societal importance of the research, and the methodology;
- a detailed research plan describing the various tasks, activities and outputs (publications) including methods, and including a timeline for the multi-year project;
- a proof of academic writing, such as a master's thesis, publication, or other (academic) text;
- your CV;
- a scan of your Master diploma (the equivalent of an LL.M./Master degree obtained in The Netherlands), including list of grades;
- proof of English language proficiency (if applicable).
A format for the research proposal and research plan can be found here.
Fees
At Leiden Law School, some departments charge a fee to pursue a PhD track: the International Institute of Air and Space Law, the Van Vollenhoven Institute and the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies.
Funding
External PhD candidates have to make their own arrangements for the funding of their research and living costs. External funding possibilities can be explored with your supervisor(s). Vacancies at Leiden Law School are advertised.
Courses and training programmes
External PhD researchers (in a track) are required to follow the online module ‘Inform’, as part of the central introductory programme 'Inform & Connect’, and are encouraged to follow one of the 'Connect' theme sessions. In addition, they are required to take the workshop 'Scientific Conduct for PhDs (Law)', with online participation available only for those who are unable to attend in person. External PhD researchers (in a track) can follow additional courses (for which costs may apply) in consultation with their supervisors. They are encouraged to follow the Data Management Training.
Datamanagement
All researchers at Leiden Law School work according to the Leiden University Data Management Regulation. PhD researchers write a data management plan (DMP) during the required Data management Training. More information.