TILT invites applications for an Assistant Professorship in the field of ‘Ethics, Law, and Policy of new Data Technologies’. The successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary team of international researchers on the interactions between these forms of technology governance. The position involves both teaching and a substantial research component, with the opportunity to develop and work on projects in relation to the regulation and governance of technology from a social scientific or philosophical perspective.  

Job Description 
The development of the fields of data science and AI have led to questions about how data science should influence society and vice versa, and the role of critical theory in understanding data technologies’ origins, contexts, and power relations. Relevant questions in this area include, what constitutes good governance of technology? How should we understand responsibility and accountability in relation to data technologies? How should data be governed on the international level? How do new data technologies inform understandings of democracy and political representation? What should be the boundaries for data scientific inquiry and who should set them? What new institutions are necessary to shape the uses and contributions of data science? 

The successful candidate is expected to research, teach, and supervise graduate and PhD students in the field of ‘Ethics, Law, and Policy of new Data Technologies’. (S)he is expected to develop new ideas in research and education, and to acquire funding (independently or jointly with other colleagues) for future research. These activities should help TILT with the further expansion of its Data Science research and education and contribute to the field of data scientific social (or philosophical) inquiry. Research will be conceptual and fundamental, as well as applied in the form of studies commissioned by third parties (e.g., Dutch government, EU, and other parties). English is the working language at TILT, but candidates with a strong command of Dutch are especially welcome to apply for this position.

Tilburg University believes that academic excellence is achieved through the combination of excellent research and education, whereby societal impact is achieved by means of sharing knowledge. In doing so, we recognize that excellence is achieved not only through individual performance, but primarily through team efforts where each team member acts as a leader connecting people. 

As such, we seek candidates with the following qualifications: 

• A PhD in science and technology studies, philosophy, law or relevant other social scientific field;
• Demonstrable knowledge of at least two of the following domains in relation to Data Science/AI technologies: ethics, law, policy;
• A broad understanding of Data Science/Data Technology concepts, methodologies and practices;
• Have Publications commensurate with the stage at which the candidate finds her- or himself in her or his career, indicative of the ability to publish in leading academic journals;
• Be willing to apply for external research funding, at national and/or European level; existing experience will be considered as an advantage;
• Have demonstrable teaching experience and excellent didactic skills; 
• Have a University Teaching Qualification (in Dutch: BKO), or be prepared to acquire this within the first two years of employment;
• Be a collaborator with excellent communication skills, and have experience working in multidisciplinary and multicultural environment (affinity and experience should be evident from the candidate’s education or past performance in teaching, research or publications);
• Show scientific integrity and contribute to an open and diversified culture of excellence; 
• Have native-level command of English; knowledge of Dutch or willingness to acquire a command of the language within the first two years of the appointment;
• Be committed to be an active member of our team and the department and to integrate in the environment provided by the department and the school.

Tilburg University assumes the provision of physical education. The starting point is that all employees perform their work in the Netherlands. This means, among other things, that new employees are expected to move to the Netherlands before the start of their employment.

Personal qualities/talents

• You show personal leadership: you take responsibility for your work and career and possess a good level of self-knowledge.  
• You have team spirit: you feel part of a team and express this through collaboration, sharing knowledge and experiences, and contributing to an open and inclusive work environment. 

Tilburg University is among the top employers in the Netherlands and has excellent terms of employment.

This is a position for 0.8 - 1,0 FTE (32 - 40 hours per week) of full working time. 

The salary amounts to a minimum of €3,821 and a maximum of €5,230 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Assistant Professor 2 and salary scale 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system for salary scaling that is based on relevant education and work experience.

This is a vacancy for a permanent position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 1 of the CLA for Dutch universities and concerns a temporary employment contract with permanent prospects. You will initially be given a temporary employment contract for the duration of 12 (internal candidates) or 18 months (external candidates), with the prospect of permanent employment.

You are entitled to a vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income. If you work 40 hours per week, you will receive 41 paid days of leave per year.

Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development and has excellent fringe benefits (one of the best non-profit employers in the Netherlands), such as an Options Model for employment conditions and an excellent reimbursement of moving expenses.

We make clear agreements on career paths and offer all kinds of facilities and arrangements to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. You can also follow numerous training courses, for example, in the areas of leadership skills, personal effectiveness, and career development. 

All employees of the university are covered by the so-called General Pension Fund for Public Employers (Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP). Researchers from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a tax-free allowance of 30% of their taxable salary. The university applies for this allowance on their behalf. The university offers attractive fringe benefits (one of the best non-profit employers in the Netherlands),

Tilburg University values an open and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity and encourage the mutual integration of groups of employees and students. We focus on creating equal opportunities for all our employees and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community.

Tilburg University has a lively campus in beautiful green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. We are committed to a sustainable society and challenge you to make an active contribution.

Please visit working at Tilburg University for more information on our terms of employment. 

Tilburg University

Organization 
Tilburg University's motto is Understanding Society. Based on this vision, our more than 1,500 employees conduct research, inspire more than 19,000 students of 110 nationalities, and bring people from different disciplines and organizations together to learn from each other. In this way, we want to contribute to solving complex social issues. In doing so, we work from the fields of economics, business and entrepreneurship, social and behavioral sciences, law and public administration, humanities and digital sciences, and theology. We seek the connection between the various disciplines to find solutions to the major issues we face as a society. Our students are educated to become responsible and entrepreneurial thinkers, driven by solidarity, a sense of responsibility, and empathy, who are able to influence and give direction to a rapidly changing society in an innovative way. Tilburg University has a culture of collaboration and co-creation, at local, regional, national, and international level.

Since its founding in 1963, Tilburg Law School has become one of the leading law schools in Europe.  Through top research and the provision of high-quality university education, the School contributes to society. Tilburg Law School is organized into five Departments: Public Law and Governance; Law, Technology, Markets and Society; Private, Business and Labour Law; the Fiscal Institute Tilburg; and Criminal Law. The mission of the School is to understand and improve the role of law and public administration in addressing the social problems of today and tomorrow. Through research and education, our scholars contribute to that mission. 

More than 4,000 students pursue a Bachelor's, pre-Master's or Master's degree at Tilburg Law School. Through this education, we train students in law, public administration, and data science. The Tilburg Educational Profile (TEP) is unique in the Netherlands. Central to it are three core concepts: knowledge, skill and character. A university education provides students with the latest substantive knowledge and trains them to be critical thinkers and resilient professionals. In addition, the School is committed to innovative educational concepts and, partly in response to the coronavirus crisis, has invested heavily in the quality of online education and in innovative didactic tools to make and keep students inquisitive. 

Tilburg Law School's research is highly regarded nationally and internationally. The Tilburg Law School Departments work closely together in their research in four signature research programs: 1) Global Law and Governance; 2) Law and Security; 3) Connecting Organizations; and 4) Regulating Socio-Technical Change. 

Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology and Society (TILT)

The Tilburg Institute of Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) is home to education and research on the effects of socio-technical change on the regulation and governance of economic activities in an era where information technology is a key driver of innovation. TILT is one of the leading research groups in Europe at the intersection of law, technology, and society. It is premised on the multidisciplinary study of socio-technical change, aiming at understanding the interaction of technology and social and normative practices in order to clarify how regulatory challenges of socio-technical change can be addressed.