PhD Candidate - EU Platform Regulation

We are looking for a PhD candidate to investigate the challenges of online platform regulation in the light of the core principles of EU law. In this PhD project, you will research the new and fast developing field of online platform regulation in the European Union, looking at things like the Digital Services Act, Platform-to-Business Regulation, and proposals for a Platform Work Directive, a Short-Term Rental Regulation and the European Media Freedom Act. You will critically review existing laws and legislative proposals in this field and ask 1) what the implications are of regulating platforms at the EU level and 2) how this affects the division of regulatory power between the EU and the Member States in light of the Treaties. Of particular interest is the question how regulatory action by the EU towards platforms (in)directly influences the exercise of regulatory competences by national, regional or local governments.

You will become part of an enthusiastic, diverse and supportive team in the Transnational Legal Studies department of the Faculty of Law, which is home to critical and inter-disciplinary researchers in the fields of EU law, technology law, and public international law. You will be supervised by mr. dr. Sarah Eskens, mr. dr. Dion Kramer and prof. dr. Gareth Davies. You will apply legal research methods and have the liberty to complement doctrinal legal research with theoretical perspectives or other (empirical) research methods. As a PhD student you will receive training in research through our Graduate School.

Your duties

• Develop a research plan in the area identified above and conduct the research.
• Present the findings of your research in relevant (international) workshops and conferences.
• Share the findings of your research through publications in the form of blogposts, journal articles, and ultimately a PhD dissertation.
• Actively participate in the academic life within the Faculty of Law and department of Transnational Legal Studies.
• Assist in teaching at BA and/or MA level, for example by guiding tutorials, giving lectures, and supervising theses.

• You have an MA (or equivalent) in law or you have a degree in a relevant field such as European Studies or International Relations with demonstrable knowledge and interest in the law.
• You have demonstrable knowledge in the field of online platform regulation or EU law, and you are interested in developing your expertise in the other field of law.
• You have good oral and written communication skills in English.
• You can navigate and find new connections between different fields of law.

As part of the application process, you must submit a diploma, cv, motivation letter and one piece of writing, such as a Master’s Thesis or journal article. In a later stage of the procedure, we might request the contact details of two referees.

Relatively many of the students at the Faculty of Law are first-generation students, often from a migration background. We are convinced that diversity in all its aspects can enrich us. We would like to do more to promote that. For example, we aim to let the composition of our staff reflect our student population more. Do you have a non-western migration background? Then we expressly invite you to apply.

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,770 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,539 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile - PhD, is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as: a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment, an 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, a contribution to commuting expenses and an optional model for designing a personalized benefits package.

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 31,000 students. We employ over 5,000 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

Faculty of Law
The Faculty of Law provides bachelor’s degree programmes in three main fields: Law, Notarial law and Criminology. In addition, we offer an extensive range of Master’s programmes as well as contract education. Our teaching and research focus on the social function and relevance of law: from contracts in the platform economy to the new way of working, from colonial injustice to medical liability, from family reunification to civil participation, from sex offenses to ransomware. Our research is often both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Working at the Faculty of Law means being engaged in an active and inspiring academic setting. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the quality of teaching and research in a challenging and rewarding working environment. More than 300 people work at the Faculty of Law, which is home to some 4,500 students.