Challenges in the Research Area
AI and other technologies are playing an increasingly important role in our society. Although this may create many opportunities, new digital technologies may also yield undesirable or unintended effects, raising a need for regulation. From a public law perspective, relevant legal areas include criminal law, administrative law and human rights law, most notable privacy and data protection law and non-discrimination law. From a private law perspective, relevant legal areas include company law, property law, liability/tort law, consumer law, competition law, and data protection law. However, the intersection of law and AI also comprises another important research area, which is that of AI in legal research. Typical examples here are quantitative legal predictions, accelerating legal research and improving regulation based on empirical legal research. Data scientists are currently analyzing large amounts of legal data, such as legislation, case law, journal articles, policy documents, etc. to find novel patterns and insights that may contribute to legal research and practice.

Goal
The goal of the assistant professor position in law and AI is to further strengthen the research and education within eLaw, the center for law and digital technologies of Leiden University. In terms of research, this means extending existing research and developing new lines of research at the intersection of law and AI, both in increasing knowledge on regulating AI and in enhancing and innovating legal research with the help of AI.

Typical important research topics in this area are:

• Criminal law – cybercrime and technology in policing;
• Human rights law – human dignity, privacy and data protection law and non-discrimination law;
• Private law – property law, liability law, consumer law, competition law;
• AI in legal research.

In terms of education, the assistant professor is expected to play a role in contributing to our advanced master program on law and digital technologies and other courses provided by eLaw. This may also include developing new courses and innovative training materials.

Key responsibilities
At the level of Leiden University, the assistant professor will contribute to the recently started initiative on Social Science, Humanities, Law, AI and Life Sciences (“SAILS”), in which multidisciplinary research across different faculties, with AI as a core technology, is conducted. SAILS provides ample opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations, with application domains for deep learning where new approaches for understanding the decision making in deep neural networks will be very welcome.

At the level of eLaw, the Center for Law and Digital Technologies, the assistant professor will be part of the law and AI focus area. The assistant professor will collaborate with existing groups focusing on cybercrime and cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and ethical and societal implications of digital technologies.

The assistant professor will participate in and initiate research projects within eLaw and will (co)supervise PhD students. The assistant professor will contribute to education programs at the Bachelor or Master level, most notably the Advanced Master program on Law and Digital Technologies.

• PhD in the field of law and digital technologies, preferably related to AI or data science, or a PhD in AI or data science related to law and ethics;
• Knowledge and experience on ethical aspects of new technologies is preferred;
• Experience with and/or interest in technological issues, particularly AI and data science;
• Excellent research and writing qualities, demonstrated by (international, peer-reviewed) publications;
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary and/or international teams;
• Excellent communications skills, spoken and written, team player;
• Excellent English, spoken and written; command of the Dutch language is an advantage; Candidates who do not speak Dutch are expected to learn this in 2-3 years;
• A proven track record to attract national or international research grants;
• The ability to initiate international research programs and consortia;
• Experience in establishing research programs and supervising and coordinating scientific research;
• The ability to supervise and inspire undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students and researchers;
• Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level and the willingness to contribute to eLaw’s teaching program, including the Advanced Master program on Law and Digital Technologies.

We offer an one year term position, with the possibility of renewal based on need, funding and performance. Salary range from € 3637.- to € 4978.- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 11, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. 

Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions. Starting date: September 2019 (or earlier if possible).

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification. If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

Universiteit Leiden

Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The University permeates the local surroundings; University premises are scattered throughout the city, and the students who live and study in Leiden give the city its relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.

Leiden University is one of Europe's foremost research universities. This prominent position gives our graduates a leading edge in applying for academic posts and for functions outside academia. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at.

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij

Leiden Law School

With over 5,000 students and 450 members of staff, Leiden Law School is one of the largest faculties in the Netherlands. Yet, in all its diversity, it is still known for its ability to provide education on a small scale. The Faculty focuses on multi-faceted high-level teaching and research, both nationally and internationally. It does so by working with talented people and stimulating and supporting them in their professional and personal ambitions. The Faculty is housed in the beautifully restored Kamerlingh Onnes Building on the Steenschuur in Leiden. Working for the Leiden Law School means working in an inspiring scientific environment. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/law. 

The center for law and digital technologies (eLaw) was founded in 1985 and has a leading role in research and education on law and digital technologies. The center studies the social, legal and normative impact of emerging digital technologies. The focus of our research and education is particularly on digital technologies and their interplay with fundamental rights and the rule of law. Key themes in our research and education are: online privacy and personal data protection; cybercrime and cybersecurity; data science and law; internet governance; law and complexity in digital society; electronic communications law; children's rights in the digital world; and media and fundamental rights. Information about the center for law and digital technologies can be found at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/law/institute-for-the-interdisciplinary-study-of-the-law/elaw and about Leiden University at www.leiden.edu. 

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/law