项目介绍

2025年2月21日

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.