Fully Funded PhD Position in Competition Law Enforcement in Mixed Markets at Utrecht University School of Law, Netherlands (Salary EUR 3,204 - EUR 4,051 per month; Apply by 1 October 2026)

Utrecht University School of Law, part of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance at Utrecht University, invites applications for a fully funded, salaried, four-year PhD position titled Competition Law Enforcement in Mixed Markets.

The project asks to what extent, and on what grounds, the enforcement of EU competition law differs between State-owned enterprises (SOEs) and private undertakings. It is interdisciplinary and follows a mixed methods approach, combining doctrinal legal research with data-driven, experimental and qualitative methods.

State ownership has been rediscovered across the EU for industrial policy purposes, including strategic autonomy and sustainability transitions. SOEs are historically prominent in critical markets such as energy, extraction, utilities, finance and transportation. The resurgence of state ownership through nationalisation, active shareholding and subsidisation creates new risks for so-called mixed markets, where SOEs and private firms compete.

There is little understanding of how competition law is enforced against SOEs in practice. This PhD research seeks to establish the first empirical insights into the practice and constraints of competition law enforcement against SOEs.

• Undertake a 4-year research project on competition law enforcement against SOEs and private undertakings.
• Produce 4 academic articles suitable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals in competition law or policy.
• Work in close collaboration with two dedicated PhD supervisors.
• Shape the project in consultation with the supervisors: the published project proposal sets out provisional aims and structure and is not entirely prescriptive.

• A graduate degree (LLM, JD, MS, MA or equivalent).
• Demonstrable academic or professional experience in competition/antitrust law, policy or enforcement.
• Demonstrable competence in quantitative and statistical methods, including applied econometrics and panel data analysis, and proficiency in a statistical programming language such as R (preferably), Python or Stata. Prior exposure to firm-level databases such as Orbis is an advantage.
• Demonstrable analytical and project management skills.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of Dutch is not required.
• The ambition and ability to finish the PhD in 4 years.

Both recent graduates and more experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. This is a full-time position that requires relocating to the Netherlands. The vacancy states that candidates who do not excel in every listed qualification may contact the project lead in advance.

• A 1 FTE position for 18 months, extended to 4 years in total after a positive evaluation.
• A working week of 36 to 40 hours.
• Gross monthly salary between EUR 3,204 and EUR 4,051 for full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, CAO NU).
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU, plus Utrecht University's own schemes for professional development, leave, and sports and cultural activities.

Apply through the Apply now button on the official Utrecht University vacancy page. Send:

• Your curriculum vitae, including two academic or professional referees who may be contacted.
• Transcripts from all your previous studies.
• A written reflection on the project proposal (not more than 750 words) relating your experience to each of the 4 papers of the PhD project.

Only complete applications meeting all these conditions and submitted by 1 October 2026 will be considered.

Interviews with several shortlisted candidates are scheduled for 12 to 16 October 2026. Depending on the outcome of the interviews, a further stage in the procedure may follow. Knowledge security screening can form part of the selection procedure for academic staff at Utrecht University.

For questions about the project, PhD employment and academic culture in the Netherlands, or anything else related to the application, contact dr. Jasper Sluijs (j.sluijs@uu.nl). The vacancy asks applicants to allow at least 5 working days for a reply, so with the 1 October deadline close, do not hold back your application while waiting for an answer.