Tilburg University | Tilburg Law School
is looking for a
Full professor: Chair in Law, Data & Innovation
Department: Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT)
Hybrid/on site: Tilburg
Contract size: 1.0 fte (32 - 40 hours per week)
Full-time gross monthly salary: € 7.202,00 - €10.441,00
Contract duration: 12 months (internal candidates), 18 months (external candidates) with the prospect of a permanent contract
Intended start date: January 1, 2027
Your position
The Tilburg Institute for Law, Technology, and Society (TILT) establishes a chair in Law, Data & Innovation to solidify its national and international position in the rapidly growing field of data regulation within European and Dutch economic law. The disruptive rise of data-driven services and data-driven innovation is one of the most significant sociotechnical developments and constitutes one of the core themes in TILT’s research program.
The regulation of data markets is high on the European and Dutch policy agendas. Data are the essential ‘raw material’ for numerous technological innovations—from personalized medical diagnostics and a range of AI models and applications to efficient supply chains—the success of which depends entirely on the responsible collection,trading, and use of data. Therefore, the EU has introduced new legal acts and governance mechanisms to stimulate data-driven innovation, such as the Data Governance Act, the Data Act, and the so-called European data spaces.
At the same time, in the current geopolitical context, we see a clear need for greater control and autonomy regarding European data. Dependencies on factors such as foreign cloud storage, digital infrastructure, and software applications not only put certain fundamental rights under pressure but also threaten Europe’s innovative capacity.
Data technologies typically fall within the scope of multiple legal fields—ranging from data protection and intellectual property law to competition law, cybersecurity, and network security law. To create and regulate new data markets in a sustainable and responsible manner, all of these legal frameworks and ensuing standards must be taken into account. Each of the current rules governing data pursues different objectives and is enforced by different regulatory authorities. This inevitably raises questions about the coherence of the current regulatory framework for data trading. For example, the question arises as to how sharing data for economic reasons (such as improving a product or training an AI model) can be promoted without compromising cybersecurity or the privacy rights of data subjects and how this relates to a multi-layered concept such as data sovereignty.
This tension is further exacerbated by the way in which member states implement EU law at the national level, which often leads to risks of fragmentation, causing each member state to apply EU rules in slightly different ways. Moreover, due to the ever-increasing role of data in society, current assumptions about how markets function are being called into question, which also influences the interpretation of legal concepts underlying regulation: for example, not only in the context of platform regulation, where market power and competition are no longer understood solely in terms of price and market share, but also in terms of data access, network effects, and control over digital ecosystems.
With a focus on the regulation of data and data-driven innovation, the chairholder will explore key issues regarding how the functioning of data markets can be promoted through existing or new forms of intervention. In addition to its specific, innovative focus on data-driven innovation, this research mandate will strengthen the connection between the various fields in which TILT is already active - ranging from competition law to data protection and more fundamental issues regarding data governance.
Job Profile
Education
The full professor to be appointed will offer courses in the hybrid Master’s program in Law and Technology, in the School’s degree programs, and in postgraduate education and will be closely involved in shaping the content and educational methodology of these programs. In the Master’s program in Law and Technology, the full professor will also supervise theses. In addition, the full professor will supervise PhD researchers. Tilburg University’s policy is that this supervision always takes place in teams consisting of at least one supervisor and a second (co-)supervisor.
Research
The full professor plays a key role in the Department’s research and makes a leading contribution to it, including the implementation of the research program Regulating Socio-Technical Change and encouraging colleagues to contribute to it. In addition, the full professor is expected to make a substantial contribution to further reinforcing research in the field of technology and innovation, particularly in the area of data market regulation, with a focus on the social and economic changes brought about by data-driven innovation and on the role, opportunities and limits of legal intervention or other forms of ordering. The full professor bears significant responsibility for acquiring, coordinating, and executing projects funded by research and contract funding sources, both at the national level (NWO, ministries, postgraduate education) and internationally (particularly EU funding).
Impact
Tilburg University aims not only to understand and critically examine societal issues, but also to be actively and consciously engaged with society. Faculty members serve on a variety of standing and ad hoc (government) committees and, as part of the University’s societal mission, advise policymakers and implementers at various levels, including nongovernmental organizations, both within the Netherlands and internationally. In addition, they contribute to thepublic debate. We expect the future full professor to further establish themselves as a leading international scholar in the field of data-driven innovation and regulation.
Management and Organizational Responsibilities
The full professor is expected to contribute to administrative duties within the Department and the School. This may include leadership roles such as Head of Department, academic director, research program leader, member of the exam commission, member of the ethics review board, vice dean, etc. Connective leadership and team science are central to these responsibilities.
Appointment Criteria
- holds a PhD in law with a focus on (economic) law, data & innovation, and is an authority in his/her field of research;
- team player in education and research;
- has a clear and appealing vision for the development of the research and educational profile in the field of law, technology and data-driven innovation;
- possesses proven excellent educational skills and the ability to deliver engaging (hybrid) education to large groups in both English and Dutch;
- has experience in teaching and developing internationally oriented courses and an affinity for educational innovation and development;
- holds the University Teaching Qualification (UTQ); possession of a Senior University Teaching Qualification (SUTQ) is considered an asset;
- has an outstanding research record with scientific publications in leading academic journals as well as professional publications of direct societal relevance;
- has experience in applying for and securing (individual and/or collaborative) research funding;
- goes beyond the national perspective in the field through international publications and/or comparative legal research;
- has experience in leading a department, capacity group, or institute with academic staff and performing administrative duties (HR/finance) is considered an asset;
- has experience leading or participating in committees or working groups focused on the governance of the School or institution;
- has the ability to attract and supervise PhD researchers;
- has an excellent command of the Dutch and English languages (C2), both orally and in writing;
- demonstrates academic integrity and has experience with working in teams of researchers and properly acknowledging the contributions of others to research results;
- is a connecting leader with experience in coaching and mentoring other researchers, PhD researchers, and lecturers and helps foster a positive and safe work environment and an open and inclusive organizational culture;
- plays an inspiring and innovative role in the organization of research and education, takes initiative, and is able to build support within the organization while respecting everyone’s input;
- values Academic Citizenship;
- demonstrates a willingness (evidenced by experience) to contribute to the effective functioning of the Department, School, and University, including by (together with others) leading the Department and participating in School, University, and external collaborations to the extent necessary for the effective fulfillment of the position.
As Tilburg University provides in-person and hybrid education, the starting point is that all employees perform their work in the Netherlands. TILT values team science and serendipity. The candidate is therefore expected to be on campus at least three days a week.
Our 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 € 7.202,00 and € 10.441,00 gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Full Professor 2, salary scale H2). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
- This is a vacancy for a position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 1 CLA DU. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months (internal candidates) /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 sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
- 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 is 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.
Want to know more?
Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Prof. Giorgio Monti at [email protected].
Want to apply?
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
- Publication list and two key publications
- Research agenda for the coming 5 years
- Contact details of at least two references (we only approach referees for candidates invited to the second round of interviews)
We look forward to your application.
The letter selection will take place in the week after vacancy closing date. You will be notified as soon as possible thereafter. The first selection interviews will take place on October 1, 2026 between 09:30 and 14:25 and the second on October 7, 2026 between 10:00 and 13:00. These interviews take place live. You are therefore expected to participate in the interview in Tilburg.
Tilburg Law School uses structured interviews, conducted by a standing Appointment and Promotions Committee (APC), supplemented by an external member, a member from TILT and a student member. The Committee for this vacancy consists of the following members:
- Prof. dr. mr. Nicola Jägers, chair APC
- Prof. dr. Morag Goodwin, member APC
- Prof. dr. Eric Tjong Tjin Tai, LLM MSc, member APC
- Prof. mr. dr. Elies van Sliedregt, member APC
- Prof. Giorgio Monti, member TILT
You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on January 1, 2027.
This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate.
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.
