You will work on a legal PhD thesis in the interdisciplinary network of researchers at the Institute for Information Law (IViR), Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam. Your project will be embedded in the work of the Institute’s intellectual property group, conducting research on related topics, such as AI training and text and data mining, open science and digital sovereignty of researchers, platform and digital ecosystem regulation, copyright data improvement. Under the supervision of Professor Martin Senftleben, you will explore copyright and other legal dilemmas surrounding digital library functions in individual articles that are finally included and bundled in your doctoral thesis.

Next to your PhD research, you will contribute actively to the activities of IViR, for instance by participating in workshops, organizing lectures and contributing to joint activities. To develop your teaching skills, you can also be involved in light teaching or student supervision tasks.

More specifically, you are expected to:Conduct academic research in copyright law and related legal fields that are relevant to digital library functions, culminating in a PhD thesis (based on a minimum of 4 papers);

• Present your research in academic conferences, expert sessions, etc.;

• Participate in other activities of the project, such as policy roundtables;

• Contribute to the public debate and organize outreach activities addressing digital library functions;

• Contribute to the organization of workshops and conferences;

• Collaborate with other IViR researchers;

• Participate in other IViR activities.

• A (research) Master’s degree in information law (demonstrable knowledge of copyright and intellectual property law is a plus);

• creative mind and strong critical and analytical skills;

• Demonstrable interest in challenges arising from the transition to an increasingly digital and algorithmic information society;

• A clear interest in conducting research in the field of digital library functions and a good understanding of regulatory dilemmas arising in that area;

• Collegial attitude and capacity to work not only independently but also in teams;

• An excellent written and spoken command of English (written and spoken command of other languages, including Dutch, is a plus);

• Ability and willingness to organize workshops, lecture series, and similar events (demonstrable experience with these activities a plus).

Does the vacancy appeal to you, but are you doubting whether you might be THE person we are looking for? Please do apply, as we encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia. We wish to create a research group that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity and not homogeneity is what we are looking for.  

We offer an employment contract for one year with a probationary period of two months, preferably starting on 1 May or 1 June 2025. The appointment will be extended for another three years upon favourable evaluation. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week.

Your salary ranges from €2.901 in the first year to €3.707 in the final year gross per month based on a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.