Assistant Professor in Law, Security and Artificial Intelligence

EURAXESS Ireland; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Home working allowance

Internet allowance

Pension through ABP

Vacation pay 8%

Year-end bonus 8.3%

Job summary

Tilburg University seeks an Assistant Professor in Law, Security and Artificial Intelligence to advance research and teaching at the intersection of law, regulation, and technology. The appointee will work on AI applications in law enforcement, surveillance, and national security, and contribute to the department's research agenda.

The role emphasizes original research, policy-relevant work, and collaboration within TILT and the Law School, with a mix of teaching responsibilities and

Qualifications

• PhD in law or manuscript accepted with specialization in human rights, law enforcement and security.
• Demonstrable research experience in new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.
• Outstanding research qualities with publication record.
• Sound teaching skills and higher education experience.
• UTQ or willingness to acquire UTQ within 2 years.
• Excellent network of academics and professionals in security/law enforcement.
• Fluent in English and Dutch (C1 level).

Responsibilities

• Develop original, fundamental research and engage in policy-relevant research.
• Collaborate on research projects with Tilburg Law School and Technology and Fundamental Rights initiatives.
• Contribute to teaching courses in Law & Technology and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses.
• Lead or contribute to professional education in Dutch and English.
• Prepare tenders and research proposals to acquire new projects.

Skills

UTQ willingness within 2 years

Education

PhD in law

Job description

Organisation/Company Tilburg University Research Field Juridical sciences › Criminal law Juridical sciences › Public law Researcher Profile Leading Researcher (R4) Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 13 Sep 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Your position

We are looking for an enthusiastic colleague in the field of Law, Security and Artificial Intelligence! Will you be our next Assistant Professor to contribute to research and teaching in this domain? Do you like working in a team and want to make an impact with your research? This is your chance! The position involves both research and teaching, with the opportunity to collaborate on existing research projects in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and/or security and develop new ones. The use of Artificial Intelligence in the areas of law enforcement and national security is increasing. AI is enhancing the potential and applications used for predictive policing and surveillance, as well as data mining and threat detection to name some of the most prominent uses. This position will enable you to develop top-notch research in the areas of AI and security in the aforementioned areas and beyond.

Your profile

Artificial Intelligence has enhanced the capabilities of policing, surveillance and law enforcement activities, while at the same time it poses significant risks and challenges. Besides the risks for privacy and data protection, the use of AI raises concerns on bias and discrimination and reliability of electronic evidence in criminal investigations, while transparency and accountability are difficult to achieve. There is a great need for further research in this field, which, acknowledging the potential benefits from the use of AI in enhancing surveillance, crime prevention and prediction, or safeguarding national security, will ensure that these take place in full respect of fundamental rights and the rule of law. The candidate is expected to develop original, fundamental research as well as engage in policy-relevant research. The candidate must have experience in the field of human rights, ideally with expertise on surveillance, national security, law enforcement activities and electronic evidence, and the increasing use of AI in these fields. We especially encourage candidates who bring professional experience from these fields to apply. The research of the candidate will be linked to theTILT Signature Research Plan: Regulating Socio-Technical Change . This is a forward-looking research program that seeks to shape the Department’s agenda for research and policy at the intersection of law, regulation, and technology. The candidate is also expected to collaborate in and develop research projects together with others at TILT, working on Technology and Fundamental Rights. The successful candidate will develop and grow in research as well as in education, both individually and as part of a team of ambitious scholars. Tilburg University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ).

The candidate will also contribute to research on commissioned projects, take the initiative to write tenders and research proposals to acquire new research projects, and conduct research for various studies. The candidate will work in close collaboration with the rest of the staff in preparing activities and events, including initiatives for professional learning.

TILT offers a Master Program in Law & Technology and contributes to several other Master`s and Bachelor`s programs. The candidate will contribute to teaching courses that TILT is involved in and will be supervising Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis students and may be asked to assist in the supervision of PhD projects. The candidate will also take the lead or contribute to professional education in the fields of their expertise. Such professional education will be provided in both Dutch and English. The intended ratio between teaching and research is roughly 40%-50%, with the remaining 10% for administrative duties.

The successful candidate is expected to have:

• a PhD in law, or a manuscript accepted by the PhD committee, with a specialisation or demonstrable experience in human rights, law enforcement, and security;
• demonstrable research experience in the field of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence;
• outstanding research qualities manifest in an established or developing publication record;
• sound teaching skills and experience in higher education;
• a UTQ or the willingness to acquire a UTQ within 2 years;
• an excellent network of academics and professionals in the field of security/law enforcement, both domestically and internationally;
• a proven drive for societal and policy impact;
• professional experience in the private/public sector is considered an asset;
• an excellent command of written and spoken English and Dutch (both C1);
• scientific integrity and contribute to an open and diversified academic culture;
• commitment to being an active member of our team and the department, and to integrate into the environment provided by the department and the Law School;
• demonstrate personal leadership: you take responsibility for your work and career and possess a good level of self-knowledge.

As Tilburg University provides in-person and hybrid education, the starting point is that all employees perform their work in the Netherlands. The candidate moves to the Netherlands before the start of the employment. TILT values team science and serendipity. The candidate is therefore expected to be on campus three days a week.

Additional Information

What do we offer?

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 0,8 - 1.0 fte (32 - 40 hours per week).
• Salary between € 4.728,00 and € 6.433,00 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Assistant Professor 2, salary scale 11). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy for a structural position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 1 of the CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months (internal candidates) or 18 months (external candidates). If, in the opinion of the employer, you perform well, there is continuation in the same position and equal financial and organizational conditions, you will be given a permanent contract after this.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation.
• Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

The selection of applications will take place within one week of the closing date. You will be notified as soon as possible thereafter. The selection interview will take place in person onSeptember 30,2026 between 13:00 and 17:00.You will, therefore, be expected to be present in person on location in Tilburg.

Tilburg Law School uses structured interviews, conducted by a standing Appointment and Promotion Committee (APC) supplemented by a member from TILT. The selection committee for this vacancy consists of the following members:

• Dr. Sjors Ligthart LLM, member APC

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on November 1, 2026.

This job posting has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate. A second interview or assessment may be part of the procedure.