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eLaw, the Center for Law and Digital Technologies at the Leiden Law School, is looking for a:
Postdoc on Law & Responsible AI for Critical Infrastructure 0,8 - 1,0 FTE
The postdoctoral researcher will focus on the responsible development and governance of AI for critical infrastructure, specifically within the wastewater management lifecycle, within the Horizon Europe project AI:Liner (https://www.ailiner.eu/) for a period of up to 24 months.
Europe’s sewer networks, originally developed to combat cholera outbreaks, now face major challenges due to aging infrastructure, limited inspection capacity, and rehabilitation needs exceeding €40 billion annually. Low renewal rates and reliance on manual CCTV inspections hinder effective asset management, leading to costly emergency repairs and inefficient resource allocation. While digitalization and AI-driven solutions offer significant potential to improve resilience and efficiency, they also raise legal, ethical, and social concerns related to automation, workforce impacts, accountability, transparency, and trust.
Within AI:Liner, the postdoctoral researcher will primarily contribute to project objectives related to workforce impacts of digitalization, AI governance and regulatory compliance (including the EU Artificial Intelligence Act), data governance, and the integration of ethical and legal requirements into AI-supported sewer asset management. The researcher will be part of the eLaw research team and collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary group, including a data scientist and a legal scholar. Together, the team addresses the legal, technical, and governance dimensions of responsible AI for critical infrastructure.
The successful candidate will conduct legal and socio-technical research to support the responsible and trustworthy adoption of AI in sewer management. This includes analysing legal, ethical, and social risks and opportunities associated with AI and automation; mapping current practices; conducting expert interviews and stakeholder surveys; and contributing to the development of governance and compliance frameworks for trustworthy AI, including adapting assessment tools such as ALTAI.
In addition, the researcher will contribute legal and governance expertise to an online platform for assessing AI compliance, engage with policymakers and standard-makers on regulatory acceptability, and support the development of training materials (i.e., a MOOC) focused on AI governance, compliance, and workforce implications. The researcher will also contribute to broader project activities on the societal impacts of digitalization and to legal and policy recommendations.
What you will do
As a researcher at eLaw, you will advance the knowledge of Responsible AI and Critical Infrastructure, particularly on sewer management. In concrete terms, you will:
- Contribute to the objectives of the research project by supporting the development of a data governance framework and strategies to ensure responsible AI adoption for sewer management.
- Conduct independent legal and socio-technical research on AI governance and critical infrastructure.
- Conduct qualitative research, including expert interviews and stakeholder perception surveys, to understand the impact of automation in sewer management.
- Analyze European and national legal frameworks (including the AI Act, data protection, and safety regulation) and contribute legal expertise to tools assessing AI compliance.
- Organise and contribute to stakeholder workshops, including policymakers and standard-makers, on AI governance and regulatory compliance.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team across EU countries and institutions.
- Publish high-quality research papers and contribute to public engagement efforts to communicate findings.
- Contribute to teaching activities at eLaw, including guest lectures or master thesis supervision.
- Contribute to the team spirit of eLaw.
Where you will work
Leiden is a typical university city, hosting the oldest university in the Netherlands (1575). The university permeates the local surroundings. The 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.
Leiden Law School, Center for Law and Digital Technologies (eLaw)
With over 7,000 students and 600 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 www.law.leidenuniv.nl. Information on the Center for Law and Digital Technologies: law.leiden.edu/organisation/metajuridica/elaw/. Information on Leiden University employment conditions: www.staff.leiden.edu/.
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; fundamental rights and digital technologies; platform regulation; regulation of AI; law and human-machine interaction; legal technologies; ethics and digital technologies.
What you bring
- A completed (or near-completed) PhD in law, law & technology, technology governance, or a closely related field, with demonstrated expertise in AI regulation, digital governance, or responsible AI, preferably in the context of critical infrastructure or other safety-critical socio-technical systems. Candidates without an approved manuscript are not eligible for this position.
- Strong knowledge of the European AI Act and EU digital regulation (e.g. GDPR, safety and liability frameworks), and familiarity with responsible AI frameworks.
- Experience with empirical legal or socio-legal research, including qualitative interviews, stakeholder engagement, and/or survey methodologies.
- Availability to travel internationally to project consortium countries. This position requires moving to the Netherlands.
- Excellent research and writing qualities, demonstrated by (international, peer-reviewed) publications, dissertation, and outreach activities;
- Experience in working in multidisciplinary and/or international teams, including sensitivity and inclusiveness regarding cultural differences among project members, staff, and students;
- Enthusiastic and proactive, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, spoken and written;
- Excellent team player and community builder;
- Excellent English, spoken and written. Command of other European languages, including Dutch, is an advantage.
What we offer
We also offer:
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This is a 0.8-1.0 FTE postdoctoral researcher position, starting no later than 1 September 2026 (starting earlier is open for discussion). The period of employment is 24 months. There will inotially be a 1-year contract with a 2-month probation period. If the employee performs well, the contract will run for 24 months. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities;
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A salary between €3546 - €5538 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (Scale 10). Salary scale depends on education and experience, as well as on the availability of the Horizan Europe AI:Liner grant budget;
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A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
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Full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs for home-to-work travel;
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Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
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Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options for a sabbatical or paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription and bicycle scheme;
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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 information here.
What we value
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. We strive to be an open community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to fully develop themselves. We consider an inclusive academic environment, where students and staff can share their experiences and viewpoints, to be essential for the development of talent.
Within our policy framework on quality, almost all academic staff at the Faculty of Law have obtained a PhD degree and have met the requirements for the advanced research qualification. In addition, they make a significant contribution to the faculty research program. More information on the advanced research qualification and research programs of the Graduate School of Legal Studies.
Want to apply or find out more?
Please submit your application online by 09/04/2026 via our application button.
Applicants should submit:
- An online motivation letter of no more than 3 pages with the following sections:
- A clear explanation of how you will contribute to the key responsibilities as described in the vacancy.
- A statement explaining how you are best suited for this position and why your skills and experience match the selection criteria as described in the vacancy
- Provide concrete ideas about how you will conduct research on AI for critical infrastructure, specifically in sewer management.
- Concrete ideas to contribute to the eLaw team spirit.
- An updated CV
- With a list of publications, outreach activities, and relevant experience in critical infrastructure, including sewer management.
- Include the details of your former employer and the names of 2 referees who can support your candidacy. The referees should be available to be contacted via telephone.
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Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. If you nevertheless choose to send us CVs, no rights can be derived from this.