Fully-funded PhD position in AI, Law and Public Power

Erasmus University Rotterdam School of Law, department Law & Markets, is looking for a fulltime PhD researcher in AI, Law and Public Power (4,5 years with 20% teaching tasks).


PhD AI, Law and Public Power

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is changing state actor powers? Do you want to conduct critical and in-depth legal research at the intersection of technology, law and power? And would you like to combine that with academic teaching?

Then this PhD position at Erasmus School of Law is for you. Within the Law & Markets team, you will spend 4.5 years researching the legal regulation of AI in the public sector. How do we protect fundamental rights when algorithms help decide on who receives public benefits, how to perform enforcement or how to enact environmental policy? What is the role of the state, and where is the limit of government power in a data-driven society?

You will have plenty of space to choose your own research angle and work in a multidisciplinary team with a focus on social impact. At the same time, you will teach (20%) academically. Your teaching activities will take place within the programmes and courses of the Law & Markets Department. The particular teaching tasks will be decided on the basis of the expertise of the candidate as well as the needs of the Department, but will focus on courses of public law both in the bachelor and master’s programs and possibly the Master Law & Technology.

What will you research?

The use of AI in the public sector is growing rapidly: from detecting fraud to predicting nitrogen emissions. These applications can speed up and objectify procedures, but also raise fundamental questions about rule of law, transparency and discrimination - especially when algorithms lead to erroneous or unjust decisions.

In this PhD research, you will legally analyse how AI is changing the public domain. You will look at national and European legislation, oversight, compliance and fundamental rights, as well as the role of private tech companies in public decision-making. In doing so, you will investigate how the law legitimises and limits public power in an age of algorithmic governance.

There is plenty of room for your own focus within this broad theme. We encourage a critical, independent attitude - your perspective matters.

Co-supervisor: Dr. S (Sascha) van Schendel,  supervisor: Prof. dr. mr. P. (Pim) Jansen

Gross month salary with a minimum of € 2901 and a maximum of € 3707.

Deadline for application is 3 September 2025.

More details and applications here

(photo freepik.com)

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