PhD Position in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday leave 232 hours/year (full‑tim

8% holiday allowance

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Pension ABP

Sports facilities

Commuting expense support

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam invites applications for a PhD position at the Amsterdam Space Law and Sustainability Center. The researcher will investigate the legal and ethical governance of AI-enabled Earth Observation within the EO-TRUST project, engaging with multiple stakeholders and contributing to publications and policy outputs.

The role emphasizes a strong interdisciplinary approach, collaboration with government, industry and academia, and a commitment to responsible, explainable AI in

Qualifications

• LL.M. or equivalent master's degree in law with tech/space focus.
• Strong academic research and legal analytical skills.
• Knowledge of space activities and AI regulatory implications.
• Experience with empirical legal research and stakeholders.
• Excellent written and spoken English for academic and non-academic audiences.

Responsibilities

• conduct independent doctoral research on the legal and ethical governance of AI-enabled Earth Observation
• map and analyse applicable legal frameworks including international space law, EU Space Act, EU AI Act and security/military law
• conduct doctrinal and empirical research including interviews with government, regulatory, academic and industry stakeholders
• contribute to academic publications, policy outputs, conferences, workshops and AI-enabled Earth Observation principles
• contribute to Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute and Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center activities.

Education

LL.M. or equivalent master's degree in law with tech/space focus

Job description

PhD Position in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence. Who sets the rules when AI turns Earth Observation data into decisions about security, resilience and society? Join us as a PhD researcher and help shape the unique intersection of space law and artificial intelligence.

• Amsterdam

Your function

You will conduct doctoral research within EO-TRUST, a €1 million multidisciplinary project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO), led by Dr Ioana Bratu. Your research will examine the legal and ethical dimensions of AI-enabled Earth Observation, focusing on how space law, AI regulation and related legal frameworks address questions of resilience, responsibility and trustworthy use of satellite data. You will work in a multidisciplinary environment connecting law with Earth Observation, artificial intelligence and computer science.

Your duties

• conduct independent doctoral research on the legal and ethical governance of AI-enabled Earth Observation
• map and analyse applicable legal frameworks, including international space law, the EU Space Act, the EU AI Act and relevant security and military law
• conduct doctrinal and empirical research, including interviews and engagement with governmental, regulatory, academic and industry stakeholders
• contribute to academic publications, policy outputs, conferences, workshops and the development of principles for responsible and explainable AI-enabled Earth Observation
• contribute to the activities of Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute and Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center.

Your profile

• a completed LL.M. or equivalent master's degree in law, preferably with a specialisation or demonstrated interest in technology (AI) law, space law, EU law or public international law
• strong academic research and legal analytical skills, with an interest in collaborating in a multidisciplinary environment
• knowledge of, or a demonstrable interest in, the legal and regulatory implications of space activities and artificial intelligence
• experience or an interest in empirical legal research and in working with stakeholders from government, industry and technical disciplines
• excellent written and spoken English and the ability to communicate legal research clearly to both academic and non-academic audiences

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of minimum € 3.204 (Scale 85 PhD.) and maximum € 4.051 (Scale 85 PhD.) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• a position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 1 year. Afterwards, the possibility of expansion to a total of 4 years.
• the possibility to engage and collaborate with industry and governmental stakeholders as part of the EO-TRUST project. For example, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on industry expertise at Caeli BV, as an intern.
• you will benefit from international insights offered by a renowned Advisory Board, as part of the EO-TRUST project. Members include representatives from ESA, the European Commission, EUSPA, the European Parliament, top AI policy & governmental advisors and space law advisors and academics.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
• contribution to commuting expenses

The start date of the position is 1 February 2027.

About us

Amsterdam Space Law and Sustainability Institute
Hosted at the Faculty of Law of VU Amsterdam and funded by the Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute (ALTI), the Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center is a multidisciplinary platform for research and collaboration on the legal, technological and societal challenges of human activities in outer space. Its research focuses on areas including space sustainability, security and militarisation, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and other critical technologies, as well as the legal dimensions of space operations.

Faculty of Law
At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Faculty of Law we train lawyers and criminologists to develop sharp critical minds, with a strong focus on the societal relevance of law. Much of our research is both international and multidisciplinary in character.

Our teaching and research embody the values of cooperation and diversity. We encourage each other to view problems from different perspectives, to think critically, develop a broader mind and arrive at creative legal solutions together.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Law? You will work in an active and inspiring academic environment. Together with your colleagues, you will contribute to the excellence of teaching and research in a pleasant and collegial working environment. You will join over 400 staff members responsible for a student body of 4,500.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.