Postdoc Information Law at AI, Media & Democracy Lab

Postdoctoral Researcher in Information Law

We are looking for a researcher with a profile in information law to explore the legal and ethical aspects of synthetic data and its use in policy simulations. Your research will be part of "WHAT-IF", a European Horizon research project. "WHAT-IF" is an international, interdisciplinary consortium aimed at creating a 'digital twin' of the (social) media environment to test potential interventions at both individual and societal levels. The empirical core of the project involves using individual-level data from (social) media usage to train and validate a LLM-based simulation. This simulation will be utilized to develop and test possible interventions for issues like misinformation, disinformation, deepfakes, or hate speech. The use of synthetic data in policy simulations presents important legal and ethical questions.

To address these issues, we seek a postdoc with significant experience in interdisciplinary research in information law, specifically media law, platform governance, the legal aspects of disinformation, political targeting, and synthetic data. Your role will involve managing and conducting research within the legal work package, in collaboration with other work packages. The objective is to develop a theoretical framework on how evidence from simulations can inform platform and media governance and to specify the conditions necessary for such simulations to be impactful. You will also actively contribute to building the international consortium and fostering cooperation across work packages.

The position is embedded within the AI, Media & Democracy Lab and the Institute for Information Law (IViR) at the University of Amsterdam, with the opportunity to expand your role to a full-time equivalent through additional research and teaching activities.

What You Will Do

• Develop, conduct, and publish research on the legal and ethical aspects of using synthetic data for policy simulations and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Assist in developing and testing the overall WHAT-IF simulation environment in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
• Engage in the public debate and organize activities as part of the WHAT-IF consortium, the AIMD, and the Institute for Information Law.
• Contribute to events, research meetings, and grant applications.

Your Profile

• Strong research interest in the project's topic, as shown by publications and grant applications.
• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English, evidenced by publications in English-language journals. Proficiency in other languages such as French, German, and/or Dutch is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team of legal scholars, communication scholars, digital humanities, and computer scientists.
• Experience organizing workshops, lecture series, and similar events.
• A relevant PhD degree in Law. Candidates expected to submit their dissertation before 1 January 2025 are also welcome.

If you're interested in this position but are uncertain if you're the ideal candidate, please still consider applying. We encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups in academia, to apply. We are devoted to creating an environment of mutual respect, inclusiveness, and equal opportunities, fostering personal development.

Our Offer

We offer a temporary part-time position (30.4 hours) for three years, with possibilities to expand through teaching and research at the Institute for Information Law. The preferred start date is 1 January 2025.

The gross monthly salary for full-time employment ranges from €4,492 to a maximum of €6,148, exclusive of 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The starting salary will be based on qualifications, expertise, and relevant experience.

Additional Benefits

• A position where personal initiative and input are highly valued.
• An opportunity to play a significant role in setting up and shaping this new research initiative.
• An enthusiastic and dynamic team open to new colleagues.
• An inspiring academic and international environment at the heart of Amsterdam.

About Us

The University of Amsterdam is the largest in the Netherlands, offering a broad spectrum of degree programs to 39,000 students, facilitated by 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral candidates. It's an intellectual hub committed to a culture of inquiry.

The Amsterdam Law School, with over 5,000 students and more than 500 staff members, is one of the largest law faculties in the Netherlands. It provides innovative education and research aimed at reinforcing legal institutions and solving social issues.

The Institute for Information Law (IViR), founded in 1989, is one of the largest information law research centers globally, employing over 25 researchers exploring an array of legal areas relevant to the information society.

The AI, Media & Democracy Lab is a collaborative effort among UvA's Institute for Information Law and Amsterdam School of Communication Research, as well as several other research groups and lectorates. The lab examines how AI and digital technology alter media and democracy, tackling specific issues related to AI in the media, such as developing more people-centric recommender systems or the role of chatbots in news provision.

For more information about the lab, please visit the AI, Media and Democracy Lab website.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Natali Helberger at n.helberger@uva.nl.