The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) has announced applications for two fully funded full-time PhD positions focused on climate change and international human rights law under the groundbreaking TEMPORALAW research project. The four-year doctoral opportunities are funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) through the prestigious Odysseus funding scheme. The TEMPORALAW project will run from 2026 to 2031 and is led by Professor Corina Heri. The initiative explores how courts and legal systems address the role of time in climate litigation, particularly in cases involving human rights and constitutional law. TEMPORALAW Project: Climate Litigation Through the Lens of Time Climate litigation has expanded rapidly in recent years, especially cases based on human rights protections. TEMPORALAW examines how legal systems engage with both historical climate responsibility and future climate risks. The project focuses on the temporal assumptions embedded within human rights law and related legal systems. It investigates how concepts such as jurisdiction, causality, victim status, vulnerability, due diligence, and state obligations are shaped by ideas about time. Researchers within the project will analyze how international courts approach climate-related legal questions, including: The European Court of Human Rights The Inter-American Court of Human Rights The International Court of Justice By combining critical legal theory, comparative law, and socio-legal research methods, TEMPORALAW aims to develop innovative legal approaches for addressing climate justice across generations. Two Distinct PhD Research Areas The project includes two separate PhD tracks, each focusing on a different temporal dimension of climate litigation. PhD 1: Climate Change and the Legal Significance of the Past The first doctoral position focuses on how legal systems address historical responsibility for climate change. Research themes include: Past greenhouse gas emissions Historical inequities and environmental injustice International responsibility for prior climate harms The relationship between climate law and human rights law This research area intersects with public international law, climate governance, and transitional justice. PhD 2: Climate Change and Future Generations The second PhD position centers on future-oriented climate litigation and legal protection for future generations. Areas of focus include: Future climate risks Due diligence obligations Rights of future generations Preventive and precautionary legal approaches The research explores how courts and institutions can address long-term climate threats within existing human rights frameworks. Responsibilities of the Selected PhD Candidates Successful applicants will become part of the Brussels-based TEMPORALAW research team while conducting independent doctoral research. Key responsibilities include: Contributing to the project’s conceptual and theoretical framework Participating in collaborative publications and research dissemination Conducting independent doctoral research Supporting legal clinic activities involving Master’s students Participating in academic activities within VUB’s Faculty of Law and Criminology and HYDR Department The project allows researchers to engage directly with cutting-edge debates on climate justice, international law, and human rights litigation. Eligibility Requirements Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in law or a related field before the PhD begins. Preferred specializations include: Human rights law Public international law Climate law Environmental law Additional requirements include: Strong English-language proficiency Knowledge of climate litigation and human rights debates Interest in combining legal theory and practical research Ability to work independently and collaboratively Experience with socio-legal theory and critical legal approaches is considered an advantage. VUB also notes that applicants must comply with residence and permit requirements where applicable. Funding and Benefits The selected candidates will receive: A fully funded four-year PhD scholarship Competitive salary under standardized FWO bursary conditions 35 days of annual leave Public transport reimbursement Teleworking allowance Hospitalization insurance The expected start date is around September 2026, although flexible arrangements may be possible. How to Apply Applications must be submitted by 20 May 2026 via email to: corina.heri@vub.be Applicants should use the subject line: “TEMPORALAW PhD application” The application must include a single PDF containing: Motivation letter (maximum one page) CV with two referees Writing sample Master’s diploma or latest academic transcript Candidates should also indicate whether they prefer the “past” or “future” climate litigation PhD topic. Why This Opportunity Matters The TEMPORALAW initiative reflects the growing global importance of climate litigation in shaping environmental governance and human rights protections. As courts increasingly confront climate-related disputes, legal scholarship examining historical accountability and future obligations has become more relevant than ever. For aspiring legal researchers interested in climate justice, human rights, and international law, these fully funded PhD positions at Vrije Universiteit Brussel offer a rare opportunity to contribute to one of Europe’s most innovative climate law research projects. LEARN MORE & APPLY HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding