PhD Candidate in Copyright Law, Right to Research and Digital Library Functions

Do you want to be at the forefront of the heated debate on library functions in the digital and algorithmic information society? Explore legal issues ranging from webharvesting to the use of digital collections for AI training? And provide fresh impulses for adequate regulatory responses in copyright and database law?

Digital Library Functions at the Intersection of Copyright and the Right to Research
This PhD position offers you the opportunity to conduct original, cutting-edge research in the project “The Fundamental Right to Research and New Impulses in Copyright Law to Support Digital Library Functions". You will have the chance of exploring a broad spectrum of legal issues raised by digital library freedoms, such as questions of:

• building collections of digital materials, including webharvesting that involves large-scale copying of webpages to preserve historical versions of the internet for future generations;
• preserving library collections, in particular by reformatting and digitizing collection items to ensure long-term existence and availability;
• providing controlled access to digital library collections, including access for text and data mining that is used for AI training;
• cooperating with other memory institutions, by sharing or transferring digital collections.

In addition to legal-doctrinal research, you can embark on empirical studies. In policy roundtables with stakeholders, you also have the opportunity to obtain practical insights into the work of memory institutions, test your hypotheses and discuss proposals for regulatory solutions.

This project is funded by Stichting Internet Archive. The Stichting has guaranteed full academic freedom and independence, in accordance with the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.

What you will do
You will work on a legal PhD thesis in the interdisciplinary network of researchers at the Institute for Information Law (IViR), Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam. Your project will be embedded in the work of the Institute’s intellectual property group, conducting research on related topics, such as AI training and text and data mining, open science and digital sovereignty of researchers, platform and digital ecosystem regulation, copyright data improvement. Under the supervision of Professor Martin Senftleben, you will explore copyright and other legal dilemmas surrounding digital library functions in individual articles that are finally included and bundled in your doctoral thesis.

Next to your PhD research, you will contribute actively to the activities of IViR, for instance by participating in workshops, organizing lectures and contributing to joint activities. To develop your teaching skills, you can also be involved in light teaching or student supervision tasks.

More specifically, you are expected to:Conduct academic research in copyright law and related legal fields that are relevant to digital library functions, culminating in a PhD thesis (based on a minimum of 4 papers);

• Present your research in academic conferences, expert sessions, etc.;
• Participate in other activities of the project, such as policy roundtables;
• Contribute to the public debate and organize outreach activities addressing digital library functions;
• Contribute to the organization of workshops and conferences;
• Collaborate with other IViR researchers;
• Participate in other IViR activities.

What we expect from you

• A (research) Master’s degree in information law (demonstrable knowledge of copyright and intellectual property law is a plus);
• creative mind and strong critical and analytical skills;
• Demonstrable interest in challenges arising from the transition to an increasingly digital and algorithmic information society;
• A clear interest in conducting research in the field of digital library functions and a good understanding of regulatory dilemmas arising in that area;
• Collegial attitude and capacity to work not only independently but also in teams;
• An excellent written and spoken command of English (written and spoken command of other languages, including Dutch, is a plus);
• Ability and willingness to organize workshops, lecture series, and similar events (demonstrable experience with these activities a plus).

Does the vacancy appeal to you, but are you doubting whether you might be THE person we are looking for? Please do apply, as we encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia. We wish to create a research group that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity and not homogeneity is what we are looking for.

What we offer you
We offer an employment contract for one year with a probationary period of two months, preferably starting on 1 May or 1 June 2025. The appointment will be extended for another three years upon favourable evaluation. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week.

Your salary ranges from €2.901 in the first year to €3.707 in the final year gross per month based on a full working week of 38 hours. This sum does not include the 8% holiday allowance and the 8.3% year-end allowance. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.

Your workplace
This PhD position is part of the intellectual property research group at the Institute for Information Law, Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam. With more than 50 researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, the Institute for Information Law (IViR) is the largest research facility in the field of information law in Europe, and one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Institute’s mission is to further the development of information law into a balanced framework that accommodates the needs and interests of the information society. IViR researchers have a strong presence in European and international academic networks through a broad array of activities. They participate regularly in national and international research consortia and collaborate with non-legal disciplines such as economics, communications science, computer science, philosophy, digital humanities and the arts. In the field of law, IViR expertise covers a broad spectrum of legal areas that shape the information society: intellectual property law, AI and platform regulation, news and media law, freedom of expression and information, privacy and personal data protection, digital consumer issues, commercial speech and advertising law, etc.

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in this PhD position, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply via the red button. We will accept applications until Friday, 14 March 2025.

Applications should include the following information (submitted in one pdf):

• A letter of motivation (max one page, font size 12) explaining why you are a good candidate for carrying out this research project;
• A full academic CV (2 pages max., font size 12);
• A writing sample, such as a Master’s thesis chapter or paper (20 pages max.);
• The names and contact details of two referees, including your thesis advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The first round of application interviews will take place online at the beginning of April.

For questions about the position, please contact:

Martin Senftleben

Professor of Intellectual Property Law and Director

E: m.r.f.senftleben@uva.nl

38 hours per week

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