Call for Applications to the Doctorate in Law | Fall 2024

SUBJECT OF THE CALL     

For the Fall 2024 semester the University of Nicosia announces the opening of seven (7) positions for admission to the Doctorate (PhD) in Law. 

How to Apply

For academic information related to the doctorate contact the Programme Coordinator Prof. Irini Stamatoudi via email at [email protected].

The application must be submitted only via the online procedure available at: https://www.unic.ac.cy/apply

About the programme: 

The programme aims to offer the highest level of scientific knowledge in the field and to prepare students for a career in tertiary education and scientific research in Law. Students are expected to conduct state-of-the-art research that advances original and practically applicable solutions to scientific problems in Law.

The specific aims of the programme are to:

• Develop students’ in depth understanding and critical analysis of current theoretical literature and research methodology in the field of Law
• Develop students’ understanding and application of suitable research methodologies and scientific methods of investigation to enable them to carry out their doctoral research project
• Enhance students’ research skills and facilitate the development of expertise relevant to their research specialization area
• Educate students in how to disseminate research findings, conclusions and suggestions, for example through publishing in academic journals and/or presenting their work in academic conferences and seminars.

The languages of the programme are English and Greek.

Faculty members and research areas:

Professor Achilles Emilianides, Dean of the School of Law

• Public, Private and Commercial Law
• Law
• Private International
• European and Comparative Law

Professor Nestor Courakis

• Criminology
• Criminal Law

Professor Irini Stamatoudi, Associate Head of the Department of Law

• Intellectual Property Law
• Internet and Media Law
• Cultural Heritage Law

Associate Professor Christina Ioannou, Associate Dean of the School of Law

• Labour Law
• EU Law and Institutions
• Social Rights and Welfare
• Gender Studies

Associate Professor Costas Stratilatis

• Comparative Constitutional Law and Theory
• Human Rights Law/Theory/Philosophy
• Constituent Power in the EU

Associate Professor Demetra Sorvatzioti

• Criminology
• Criminal Law and Procedure

Associate Professor Christos Papastylianos, Head of the Department of Law

• Constitutional Law and Theory
• Immigration Law
• Human Rights Law

Visiting Associate Professor Nikos Davrados

• Conflict of Laws
• Private Law

Associate Professor Nikolaos Koumoutzis

• Family Law
• Tort Law
• Bioethics

Assistant Professor Odysseas Christou

• Public International Law
• Energy and Environmental Law
• Social Rights and Welfare
• Jurisprudence

Assistant Professor Michalis Kontos

• Public International Law
• Law of Armed Conflict
• International Organizations
• International Humanitarian Law

Assistant Professor Stergios Mitas

• Legal Philosophy and Legal Methodology
• Constitutional Law and Theory
• Assistant Professor Dimitrios Koukiadis
• Information technology law
• Personal data protection law
• European comparative law

Assistant Professor Konstantinos Dimarellis

• Labour Law
• Social Security Law

Assistant Professor Fotios Nikolaou

• Law of Obligations
• Property Law
• Consumer Protection Law

Assistant Professor Vagia Polyzoidou

• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure

Assistant Professor Grigorios Michailidis 

• Tax Law
• European Tax Law
• Economic Law

Admission requirements and procedures:

• Academic Qualifications: An accredited Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB or equivalent) or a relevant field in addition to an accredited Master’s degree in Law (LLM or equivalent) or a relevant field. It is normally expected that at least one of the previous degrees (Bachelor’s or Master’s) be in Law. Applicants that do not fulfil this requirement may still apply to the programme subject to the evaluation of their academic qualifications by the Department Doctoral Programme Committee. Copies of degrees awarded must be submitted as part of a complete application package.
• Application Form: Applicants must submit an application form for admission and enrolment to the programme. The application form requests general information about the applicant, their qualifications, relevant experience.
• Curriculum Vitae: a complete CV specifying all academic and professional activities.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must obtain two recommendation letters from individuals who have known the applicant in an educational and/or professional environment. At least one of the recommendation letters must be from an academic institution where the applicant has studied previously.
• English Language Proficiency: TOEFL (paper-based test 600, computer-based test 250, internet-based test 100) or IELTS 6,5. For students who graduated from an English- speaking University, English language Proficiency certificate is not a requirement. Proficiency in English Language is an essential requirement even in cases where the thesis is to be submitted in Greek as research undertaken towards completing the thesis is expected to include English-languages sources.
• Publications: Previous theses/dissertations and any published work of academic relevance (if any).
• Initial Research Proposal: When drafting your Research Proposal please take into account that the aim of a PhD is the generation of knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a research field, the use of the most advanced and specialised skills and techniques in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of researchable critical questions in the field, and the demonstration of substantial authority, innovation, and autonomy in the pursuit of academic research. Therefore, only research proposals that are considered novel and challenging (e.g., do not deal with an academic issue or research topic that has been heavily dealt with or discussed with in the existing literature, or which sets issues that are settled or resolved, or presents no legal interest, unless the candidate aims to offer new insights to it) are acceptable. Your research proposal needs to be clear as to its topic and the related research questions, it needs to be developed in a manner that is structured and comprehensible to the reader as to what you aim to research during your PhD studies and why. It also needs to refer to the methodology that will be used for such research and what you aim to accomplish. Research proposals that are general, generic, vague or fluid, are not acceptable. Your research proposal also needs to provide a small review of the existing articles, books, cases, or other sources in the area, in order for the examiners to see whether the candidate a) is aware of the relevant primary and secondary resources, b) has realised what is already there and has a clear picture as to how to take existing knowledge further. The literature needs to take into account other jurisdictions, too (not just the one you will be working on), and provide comparative elements. A possible outline of a Research Proposal (1,000 – 2,000 words) outlining the research topic, aims and objectives, research questions and proposed research methodology, should be as follows: 
  • Title 
  • Literature review (brief) (comparative, international) 
  • Identifications of gaps in existing literature and rationale for proposed research 
  • Aims and objectives 
  • Research hypotheses 
  • Research methodology 
  • Ethical Considerations (if applicable) 
  • Expected output 
  • Time plan for completion 
  • References 
• Statement of Purpose: Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive outline highlighting their academic and individual competencies and state why they believe they are suitable for admission to the Programme, as well as their reflections regarding the expectations and value of the Programme for their personal advancement and career development.
• Personal Interviews: The Department Doctoral Programme Committee may decide whether to hold an individual interview of the applicant prior to deciding. The Department Doctoral Programme Committee, having examined the applicant’s suitability against the entry criteria, having reviewed the application and interviewed the applicant, will determine his or her suitability and the appropriateness of their initial proposal.
• Final Evaluation: In view of the limited number of applicants to be admitted to the programme, the Department Doctoral Programme Committee will decide on the basis of merit and by evaluating specific criteria as per the most suitable candidates to be admitted to the programme. The Committee will exercise its judgment, taking into account the overall quality, merit and feasibility of the research proposal, the quality of the prior research work of the candidate and the candidate’s academic and other relevant qualifications as included in the curriculum vitae and the applicant’s performance during the individual interview.