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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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PhD Position in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in Netherlands

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

PhD position funded through the EO-TRUST project, a €1 million multidisciplinary project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month on a full-time basis (scale 85 PhD), with an initial 1-year contract and the possibility of extension up to 4 years. Position is at least 0.8 FTE.

Deadline

Nov 27, 2026

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Country

Netherlands

University

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Keywords

Computer Science
Artificial Intelligence
Regulation
Earth Observation
European Union Law
Law

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About this position

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) in the Netherlands is advertising a PhD position in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence within the EO-TRUST project. The doctoral research sits at the intersection of international law, European law, AI regulation, and space law, with a focus on the legal and ethical dimensions of AI-enabled Earth Observation and the governance of satellite data.

The project is multidisciplinary and connects law with Earth Observation, artificial intelligence, and computer science. The successful candidate will examine how legal frameworks such as international space law, the EU Space Act, the EU AI Act, and related security and military law address resilience, responsibility, and trustworthy use of satellite data. The role also includes doctrinal and empirical research, interviews with stakeholders, and contributions to publications, policy outputs, conferences, workshops, and principles for responsible and explainable AI-enabled Earth Observation.

Supervisor/contact: Dr Ioana Bratu ([email protected]). The position is part of Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute and Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center activities.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a completed LL.M. or equivalent master's degree in law, preferably with a background or strong interest in AI law, space law, EU law, or public international law. Strong legal research and analytical skills, interest in multidisciplinary work, empirical legal research experience or interest, stakeholder engagement ability, and excellent English are required.

Funding and terms: the PhD is funded through the NWO-backed EO-TRUST project. Salary is €3,204–€4,051 gross per month (scale 85 PhD), with an initial 1-year contract and possible extension to 4 years. The appointment is at least 0.8 FTE.

Deadline: 27 November 2026 at 22:59 UTC. Applicants should submit a CV and a relevant writing sample via AcademicTransfer; email applications will not be considered.

Funding details

PhD position funded through the EO-TRUST project, a €1 million multidisciplinary project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Salary is €3,204 to €4,051 gross per month on a full-time basis (scale 85 PhD), with an initial 1-year contract and the possibility of extension up to 4 years. Position is at least 0.8 FTE.

What's required

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. Applicants should have strong academic research and legal analytical skills, an interest in multidisciplinary collaboration, knowledge of or demonstrable interest in the legal and regulatory implications of space activities and artificial intelligence, experience or interest in empirical legal research and stakeholder engagement, and excellent written and spoken English.

How to apply

Submit a CV and a relevant writing sample through the AcademicTransfer application website. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact Dr Ioana Bratu for questions.

More information can be found here

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