1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculteit Recht en Criminologie, Department Privaat- en economisch recht, is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

The Digitalisation and Access to Justice (DIKE) Research group is looking for a motivated predoctoral researcher who will focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence in (both international and national level) Private Law, particularly (and non-exclusively) Family Property Law, Labour Law, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

This assignment explores the role of predictive analytics and large language models (LLMs) in digitalising court systems. Upcoming AI legislation aims to enhance efficiency and fairness in the legal field but raises concerns about fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Predictive analytics and LLMs can revolutionise legal processes, improving case management and decision-making. However, their deployment must be carefully managed. The study evaluates existing AI programs and policies, proposing a guide to promote efficiency and reduce bias. To achieve this, empirical work with relevant stakeholders is essential. Collaboration with researchers and stakeholders will ensure a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact on legal systems. This research aims to contribute to developing informed policies that responsibly integrate AI into the legal field.

To prepare a PhD thesis, your tasks will include:

• Conducting research studies for the three inter-university ongoing projects.
• Establishing and maintaining contacts with stakeholders involved in the three projects.
• Presenting your research at (inter)national meetings and conferences.
• Writing scientific papers.
• Completing a related dissertation within four years.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• An academic second-cycle degree in Law

• Enthusiasm and motivation to work on highly relevant research topics and the talent to contribute to the progress of law and technology.

  You are a driven researcher with:

  • Knowledge and/or experience with research methods
  • Interest in the digitalisation of law
  • Good scientific writing and documentation skills
  • Ability to independently organise your own work, to solve problems, to achieve the desired goals and to cooperate;
  • Good computer skills (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Very good written and verbal communication skills in English and French or Dutch or French
  • Work experience in law is a plus;
  • Project management skills are a plus.

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/10/2024. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 18/08/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact marco giacalone at marco.giacalone@vub.be or on 0488900465.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.