Teaser Text
eLaw, the Center for Law and Digital Technologies at the Leiden Law School is looking for a Postdoc on Law, Disability, Sexuality & Technology 0,8 - 1,0 FTE Vacancy number 16381, to work on the NWO Vidi-funded project “Sex, Care, and Robots” for up to 48 months.
Sexuality is a fundamental part of human dignity, autonomy, and well-being. Yet, for persons with disabilities, sexual rights remain one of the most neglected domains in law, policy, care, and technological innovation. Despite international recognition that sexual rights are human rights, care systems, legal frameworks, and assistive technologies continue to overlook intimacy, pleasure, and sexual agency.
This project addresses that structural neglect through an interdisciplinary, participatory research program that combines empirical research, legal and policy analysis, and technology assessment. Grounded in a Theory of Change approach, the project works closely with people with disabilities, disability organizations, policymakers, care professionals, and technology developers.
The project is structured around three work packages:
- WP1 documents lived experiences and barriers through surveys, interviews, and participatory workshops.
- WP2 examines international, EU, and Dutch legal and policy frameworks on disability and sexuality.
- WP3 explores how assistive and sexual technologies may support intimacy and autonomy in dignity-preserving ways.
Together, these strands inform an action-oriented Framework for Change to guide future law, policy, and inclusive innovation in disability care.
What you will do
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a central role in the project's empirical and stakeholder-facing components. Your tasks include:
- Designing and leading empirical research activities, including surveys, semi-structured interviews, and participatory workshops with persons with disabilities and relevant stakeholders.
- Developing inclusive and accessible research instruments in close collaboration with disability organizations and care professionals.
- Analysing qualitative and quantitative data and translating findings into academic publications, policy briefs, and accessible research outputs.
- Contributing to the development and iterative validation of the project’s Framework for Change, using the Theory of Change methodology across work packages.
- Supporting technology assessment activities related to assistive and sexual technologies, including expert engagement and exploratory user studies.
- Contributing to dissemination and impact activities, including reports, public-facing materials, workshops, and presentations.
- Participating in the broader research, teaching, and community activities of the eLaw Center.
Key responsibilities
- Independent performance of empirical research on disability, sexuality, and care.
- Leading survey design, interview protocols, and workshop facilitation.
- Ensuring ethical, inclusive, and respectful engagement with persons with disabilities.
- Translating research findings into actionable insights for policymakers, care providers, and technology developers.
- Producing quality academic publications and policy-oriented outputs.
- Maintaining and coordinating relationships with care institutions, disability organizations, and other stakeholders, and supporting the day-to-day coordination of the project.
- Expanding teaching experience by preparing some guest lectures in existing bachelor’s or master’s courses.
Contributing to the team spirit of eLaw, an inclusive, collaborative, and interdisciplinary research environment.
Where you will work
Leiden Law School, Center for Law and Digital Technologies (eLaw)
With over 5,000 students and 450 staff members, 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 by stimulating and supporting 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. Their research and education focus 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
We are looking for a candidate who meets the following criteria:
- A completed PhD (or approved manuscript) in law, socio-legal studies, disability studies, health law, Science and Technology Studies (STS), public health, or a closely related field. Candidates without an approved manuscript are not eligible for this position.
- Demonstrated experience with empirical research methods, including surveys, interviews, and/or participatory or co-design workshops.
- Familiarity with disability contexts, disability rights, inclusive research practices, and/or care systems.
- Sensitivity to issues of sexuality, intimacy, stigma, and vulnerability, and the ability to conduct ethical and respectful research on sensitive topics.
- Strong research and writing skills, demonstrated by academic publications and relevant outreach activities.
- Experience with working in interdisciplinary and/or international research teams, with an inclusive and collaborative mindset.
- A strong command of Dutch (spoken and understood) is highly desirable and would be a significant asset, given the need to conduct interviews, workshops, and stakeholder engagement in the Dutch care and policy context. Candidates who do not yet have full proficiency are expected to acquire this level of proficiency within the first months of the project.
- Excellent command of English (spoken and written).
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
What we offer
We also offer:
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This is a 0.8-1.0 FTE postdoctoral researcher position, starting around 01 May 2026 (open for discussion for before or later). The period of employment is 48 months. There will be a 1-year contract with a 2-month probation period. If the employee performs well, the contract will run for 48 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 NWO VIDI Grant budget.;
- 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 established 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.
Want to apply or find out more?
Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Fosch-Villaronga, email e.fosch.villaronga@law.leidenuniv.nl. For more details on the procedure, please contact our secretariat at elaw@law.leidenuniv.nl.
Within our quality policy framework, almost all academic staff at the Faculty of Law hold a PhD 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 can be found on: law.leiden.edu/research-leiden-law-school/graduate-school-of-legal-studies.html.
Applications
Please submit your application online by 25/03/2026 via the blue button in our application system. The selection interviews will take place on April 13, 2026.
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 the project, in reference to the literature and bibliography described in the research page of the project (https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/research/research-projects/law/sex-care--robots).
- Concrete ideas to contribute to the Law team spirit.
- An updated CV
- With a list of publications, outreach activities, and relevant experience to the Sex, Care, and Robots project.
- 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.
Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.