PhD position: Competition Law Enforcement in Mixed Markets

Utrecht University School of Law invites applications for a fully funded, salaried, four-year PhD position exploring the extent to which enforcement competition law differs between State-owned enterprises and private undertakings. This interdisciplinary project follows a mixed methods approach, combining doctrinal legal research with data-driven, experimental and qualitative methods.

Your job

State ownership has been rediscovered across the EU for industrial policy purposes, proving effective in the pursuit of strategic autonomy and sustainability transitions. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) are historically prominent in critical markets such as energy, extraction, utilities, finance and transportation, while allowing for more government influence than in private firms.

The above developments have led to a resurgence of state ownership through nationalization, active shareholding and subsidization in the EU, creating new risks for so-called mixed markets, where SOEs and private firms compete. This, in turn, raises questions about competition law enforcement of such markets. SOEs may be inclined to behave anticompetitively and create obstacles for private enterprises. However, 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.

• As PhD researcher, you will undertake a 4-year research project aimed at answering to what extent, and on what grounds, the enforcement of EU competition law differs between State-owned enterprises and private undertakings.
• This PhD project envisions a mixed methods approach, combining data-driven, experimental and qualitative methodologies.
• The envisioned output of this PhD is 4 academic articles suitable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals in competition law or policy.
• Throughout this project you will work in close collaboration with two dedicated PhD supervisors, who will coach you towards becoming an independent academic researcher.
• The proposal for this PhD project is attached. There, you find more details about its provisional aims and structure. This proposal should not be considered as entirely prescriptive—you are encouraged to make this project your own in consultation with your supervisors.

Your qualities

You:

• have obtained a graduate degree (LLM, JD, MS, MA or equivalent);
• have demonstrable academic or professional experience in competition/antitrust law, policy, or enforcement;
• have demonstrable academic or professional competence in quantitative and statistical methods, including applied econometrics and panel data analysis, 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;
• have demonstrable analytical and project management skills;
• have an excellent command of written and spoken English; knowledge of Dutch is not per se required;
• have the ambition and ability to finalize your PhD project in 4 years.

Both recent graduates and more experienced professionals are encouraged to apply. Please note this concerns a full-time position, which requires re-locating to the Netherlands.

We realize you may not excel in all of the above qualifications. When in doubt, feel free to contact us in advance. Contact information is listed below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Our offer

• a position (1 FTE) for for 18 months. After a positive evaluation the employment will be extended to 4 years in total.
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.204 and €4.051 in the case of 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.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance is a faculty at the heart of society, with a strong focus on social issues. Our subjects of Law, Economics and Governance give us a strong mix of academic disciplines that complement and enhance each other. This is a unique combination and a mark of our faculty's strength.

UU School of Law

The Utrecht University School of Law has provided quality research and education for more than 350 years. Constant innovation has enabled the School to maintain its leading position. Top-ranking research is conducted in all important legal fields: private law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, EU law, public international law. Researchers collaborate intensively with foreign partners, mainly from the angle of European and comparative law. The School of Law also conducts contract research and consultancy for other organisations. The extensive educational programme is based on academic research conducted within the faculty of Law, Economics and Governance. Students are trained to be highly qualified, internationally-oriented lawyers on the basis of modern didactical principles.

More information

For more information about this project, PhD employment and academic culture in the Netherlands, or anything else related to this application, please contact dr. Jasper Sluijs at j.sluijs@uu.nl. You are particularly recommended to reach out when you are unsure if it is worthwhile applying given the required profile. Please do not assume you will not qualify when not excelling at every listed qualification—we are happy to discuss your options. Please also allow at least 5 working days for an answer to your query on our end.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

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To apply, please send:

• your curriculum vitae, including two academic or professional referees we may contact
• transcripts from all your previous studies
• a written reflection on the project proposal, where you relate your experience to each of the 4 papers of the PhD project. This document should not exceed 750 words, and may be shorter than that.

Only complete applications meeting all the above conditions will be considered when submitted by October 1, 2026.

Interviews with several shortlisted candidates are scheduled to take place from October 12 to 16. Depending on the outcome of the interviews, a subsequent stage in the procedure may be initiated.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.