We invite applications for an Assistant Professorship position at the Maastricht Law and Tech Lab and the Department of Private Law. The successful candidate will contribute to a cutting-edge research program that combines law with computational methods to tackle challenging issues such as modelling legal complexity, regulating disruptive technologies, and addressing legal issues in data processing and automated systems. The candidate is expected to develop a personal research agenda in the context of the Lab, and to further build on the existing thematic clusters (e.g. legal network analysis, predictive analytics, computational social media, digital consumer forensics). 

As an assistant professor, you will have a diverse set of responsibilities. You will teach, conduct innovative and high-quality research, write research proposals, and participate in administrative activities. You will take part in multidisciplinary research teams, participate in interdisciplinary teaching, and pursue strategies to translate research results into innovation. We welcome applicants whose research has led to, or has the potential to lead to real-world applications and / or strong collaborations with industry and civil society.

Teaching activities focus on private law courses, including (but not limited to) contract law, tort law, property law, and company law. Activities take place at the bachelor and master level. You will contribute to the development and execution of courses in the field of Private Law. Teaching activities in courses take place in two to three periods, with a period running for eight weeks.

Matching Skills and Competencies:

Applicants should fulfill the following main requirements:

• PhD degree in law, data science, artificial intelligence, computer science, mathematics, or a related field, preferably with a thematic specialization in privacy and data protection, or in privacy and security (e.g. web measurement);
• Experience in an academic environment after the PhD period is preferred;
• Excellence in research and a track record of obtaining research funding;
• Experience and excellence in teaching;
• Experience in multidisciplinary research is preferred;
• Experience in supervising Bachelor, Masters, or PhD students;
• A personality characterized by vision, ambition, and collaboration;
• Fluency in the English language.

You will be employed temporarily as assistant professor (level 2) and agree to specific development goals. Five years after appointment, or earlier as soon as the development goals are met, you are promoted to assistant professor (level 1) in a permanent position. On your request, the decision can be deferred in case of special personal circumstances, such as pregnancy leave, parental leave, or chronic illness.

The salary depends on academic qualifications and experience. The salary will be set between minimum gross month salary € 3,746.00 of salary scale 11 (according to assistant professor 2) and maximum gross month salary of € 5,826.00 of salary scale 12 (according to assistant professor 1), based on a full-time employment, of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. For people recruited from abroad a reduced income tax rate may apply.

More information on terms of employment of the university can be found on: www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > Employees.

The preferred starting date is 1 September 2021.

Maastricht University

The Faculty of Law of Maastricht University provides challenging and high-quality legal education for Bachelor's and Master's students. The faculty is a pioneer in small-scale and innovative education and trains lawyers for both the national and international labor market. The faculty is among the top 50 law schools worldwide and, with 51% foreign students, is the most international legal faculty in Europe. It has 3000 students and more than 300 employees. Maastricht University provides you a unique international experience in a Dutch city.

The research within the faculty is conducted within one of the faculty research institutes and the Maastricht Graduate School of Law. The focus of the research is on European and international aspects of law, human rights, migration, and Law & Technology. The faculty attaches great importance to both fundamental and more practical research and is known for its stimulating research climate.

Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands and is still growing with its more than 20,000 students and 4,700 employees. The university distinguishes itself through its innovative educational model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education. Thanks to the high quality of its research and education, as well as a strong social orientation, the university has built a solid reputation in its short existence. It is considered one of the best young universities in the world. UM has six faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Maastricht University aims to be and remain an attractive employer. It is convinced that it can achieve this by challenging and encouraging staff and students to get the best out of themselves. By employing those staff members for the activities in which they can do their best work. And by hiring and retaining employees who fit the profile and ambition of UM.

Maastricht Law and Tech Lab

The Maastricht Law and Tech Lab is a young interdisciplinary institute hosted by the Faculty of Law at Maastricht University. With over 10 computer scientists in residence, and through close collaborations with the Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering and the Institute of Data Science, the Law and Tech Lab is a dynamic research environment focused on research at the intersection of primarily law and computer science. The Lab aims to analyze how technology and data science interact with law and justice in society, how technology and data science can increase access to law and justice in society, and analyzes the ethical, legal, and social issues arising from technology and data science innovations. 

Department of Private Law

The Department of Private Law consists of a dynamic group of researchers and lecturers. Colleagues describe the Department as an exciting, inspiring, and diverse yet inclusive environment that fosters professional development, ambition, and innovative research in the field of private law. The atmosphere is one of academic freedom. You will be able to engage in a variety of other activities both within and beyond the Law Faculty, be they educational, managerial, strategic or extra-curricular. Support for grant applications will be provided.