Tilburg University | Tilburg Law School
is looking for an
Assistant Professor
in Law, Security and Artificial Intelligence
Department: Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT)
Hybrid/on site: Tilburg
Contract size: 0,8 -1,0 FTE (32 - 40 hours per week)
Full-time gross monthly salary: € 4.728,00 - € 6.433,00
Contract duration: 12 months (internal candidates), 18 months (external candidates) with the prospect of a permanent contract
Desired starting date: November 1, 2026
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 the TILT 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;
- management skills (planning, proactive, communicative, punctual);
- 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.
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.
For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.
Information and application
Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Prof. Eleni Kosta at [email protected].
We kindly invite you to apply before September 13, 2026; this can only be done online.
In order to make a good selection, we ask you to provide the following documents:
- Letter of motivation addressed to Prof. dr. mr. Nicola Jägers
- Resume
- Publication list and two publications in English or Dutch
- Research plan for the next 5 years (between 1000-2000 words)
- Contact details of at least two referees (we only approach referees for candidates invited to the second round of interviews)
We look forward to your application.
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 on September 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:
- Prof. dr. mr. Nicola Jägers, chair APC
- Prof. mr. dr. Johan Wolswinkel, member APC
- Dr. Sjors Ligthart LLM, member APC
- Prof. dr. Eleni Kosta, member TILT
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.
About Tilburg University
Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.
We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.
About Tilburg Law School
Tilburg Law School was founded in 1963 and has since grown into a leading faculty for law and public administration. Our education and research are distinctly innovative and interdisciplinary. We are driven by our mission to actively engage with pressing societal challenges such as new technologies, sustainability, and the position of vulnerable groups in the rule of law, from the perspective of legal and administrative sciences. We operate in response to local, regional, national, and international developments, and collaborate closely with other disciplines such as economics, behavioral and social sciences, philosophy, history, and digital sciences. The faculty is organized into five departments: Public Law & Governance, Private, Business and Labour Law, Criminal Law, the Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology & Society, and Tax Law.
Our education
Tilburg Law School offers bachelor's programs in Dutch Law, Tax Law, Business Law, and the English-taught Global Law program. Of the nine legal master's programs, five are offered in hybrid formats and six are taught in English. The faculty also offers both a bachelor's and a master's program in Public Administration. Our education places particular emphasis on vulnerability and on those who are vulnerable in society. Through this, we aim to contribute to a just and sustainable society. Tilburg Law School is a frontrunner in educational innovation and values inclusive, accessible, and flexible education. We train our students to become knowledgeable, skilled, and critical academics who are equipped to navigate the complex challenges of the evolving digital society.
Our research
The five departments of Tilburg Law School collaborate closely in four distinctive research programs focusing on globalization and law, regulation of technology, vulnerability in criminal law, and sustainable private law relations. These research programs include both legal and public administration scholarship, as well as interdisciplinary approaches.
We strongly emphasize team science, encouraging researchers to work together, share knowledge, and strengthen one another in content and methodology.
Regulating Socio-Technical Change
This program brings together a broad range of legal and non-legal disciplines, perspectives, and methodologies to form a comprehensive understanding of socio-technical changes. It focuses on three core questions: What are the regulatory challenges? How should they be addressed? And who are—or should be—the actors involved?
The Department Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) is home to teaching and research on the effects of socio-technical change on the regulation and management of economic activities in an era when information technology is a key driver of innovation. TILT is one of the leading research groups in Europe at the intersection of law, technology, and society. It is premised on the multidisciplinary study of socio-technical change, aiming at understanding the interaction of technology and social and normative practices in order to clarify how regulatory challenges of socio-technical change can be addressed. TILT builds on a vibrant and strong community of international and interdisciplinary researchers. Reading groups, lectures, departmental meetings and work-in- progress meetings are organized regularly. Social activities such as a monthly get-together are also hosted. We value meeting each other in person; we cherish and actively invest in an open, respectful, supportive, and inspiring atmosphere.
Recruitment code
Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).
Disclaimer
The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled.
