Assistant Professor with a focus on legal technologies (LegalTech)

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The Leiden Law School is looking for an enthusiastic; 

Assistant Professor with a focus on legal technologies (LegalTech) (0,8-1,0 FTE)  
Vacancy number 22-595 12766

The assistant professor will be part of two departments: the department of business studies and eLaw, the center for law and digital technologies. At the intersection of these research groups, you will focus on education and research in the area of LegalTech. Legal practice is increasingly adopting new technologies in daily practice, for instance, technologies that can do information retrieval, legal research, interpret legal provisions on the basis of available case law, build smart contract, build scenarios in criminal cases, weigh available evidence, or predict decisions of courts and judges. These technologies, often built on artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, are referred to as legal technologies, LegalTech in short. These developments are rapidly changing the work of lawyers, both in legal practice and in academic research. However, Dutch law faculties pay only limited attention to LegalTech in their research and education programs. Most of de research and teaching takes place in (computer) science departments. Since legal technologies are often very specific when it comes to language and jurisdiction, so far only limited tools, knowledge and experience is available in the Netherlands. By examining developments in other jurisdictions, a clearer picture can be obtained of developments in the Netherlands. Building on this, new courses and teaching materials will be developed to implement in law curriculums. The focus will be on the following research question: Which current and envisioned legal technologies are relevant to include in our law school curriculums and how should we implement this? The assistant professor will identify and analyze the most relevant existing legal technologies for the Dutch market. By examining developments in other jurisdictions (mostly the US), an analysis will be made of the technologies that can be expected to be available in the Dutch market in the next 5-10 years. Establishing a clear overview of this landscape can serve as a solid basis for developing a new course on this topic and the teaching materials needed for this. Currently, Leiden University (Leiden Law School together with the Center for Professional Learning) offers a LegalTech postgraduate program. The assistant professor could play a role in managing and further developing this program. Another important task would be to a develop similar course for law students. Also, the assistant professor will explore the viability of a minor program in LegalTech and, if this exploration shows positive results, start developing such a program together with other faculties.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and teaching courses in the area of legal technologies
• Supervising thesis projects of master students
• Publishing in professional and (international, peer-reviewed) scientific journals
• Initiating and coordinating the submission of research proposals
• Organizing events in the areas of law and digital technologies
• Preparing papers for and presenting at international conferences
• Actively contribute to administrative tasks of the departments
• Optional: co-supervising PhD candidates

Selection criteria

• A completed PhD in the field of legal technologies. This can be a degree in law and digital technologies, or a general degree in law or business studies with a proven interest in legal technologies. Candidates with a background in technology with a proven interest in legal technologies can also apply. Candidates who have not yet completed their PhD but have an approved manuscript can also apply
• Experience in teaching, preferably proven by good teaching evaluations
• You are in possession of the Basic Teaching Qualification (UTQ) certificate or are prepared to obtain it within two years
• Excellent research and writing qualities, demonstrated by (international, peer-reviewed) publications
• Experience in submitting research proposals to grant organizations
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary and/or international teams, including sensitivity and inclusiveness regarding cultural differences among staff and students
• Excellent communications skills, spoken and written, team player
• Excellent English, spoken and written; command of the German, French, Spanish or Dutch language is an advantage
• We realize this job description is very specific. If you have any doubts whether your profile sufficiently matches this job description, do not hesitate to contact us. See contact details below.

Leiden Law School
Leiden Law School is located in Leiden and The Hague. With more than 6500 students and around 1000 staff, it is one of the largest university faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty focuses on innovative multidisciplinary research and educational programmes that are constantly renewed in response to issues in society. Our faculty is large enough to make a difference nationally and internationally, yet small enough to offer personalised education. This is how we contribute to a safe and sustainable world, each and every day. For more information: Leiden Law School - Leiden University .

The department
This position will be shared between the departments of eLaw and business studies (50-50). Physical presence in both departments will further ensure cooperation between departments. Cooperation with other faculties include the Center for Professional Learning for the continuation of the LegalTech program and the Faculty of Science for research on legal intelligence. The assistant professor will also be part of the  SAILS program on AI running until mid 2024. Since this position has a strong focus on the application of technologies in legal practice, it would ideally be positioned in the Leiden Law Park that is currently being established. This allows for close cooperation with different stakeholders, including start-up companies developing legal technologies and users of these technologies. For this, the assistant professor can build on existing connections with these stakeholders, but should also actively expand this community.  Information on the Center for Law and Digital Technologies: law.leiden.edu/organisation/metajuridica/elaw/ .

The department of Business Studies is engaged in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Insolvency, in particular in Turnaround Management. The department of Business Studies offers bachelor education to the ambitious and entrepreneurial students of Leiden University. The department provides courses like Entrepreneurship and Innovation, but also, Entrepreneurial Finance, Business Analytics, People and Organizations, Marketing Management, Strategic Management and Leadership. The Leiden Law School Center for Legal Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which is part of the department, focuses on stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation in legal practice. In the field of research the department is mainly concerned with how companies can be rescued, in particular by means of turnaround management, to avoid bankruptcy. In this context international scholars and practitioners in the field are cooperating in the 'Turnaround, Rescue & Insolvency research team Leiden' (TRI Leiden).

Terms and conditions
This is a 0.8-1.0 fte assistant professor position. Start date can be discussed, but preferably before the end of 2022. This position is intended as a permanent position, but the initial period of employment in this position is for 18 months.
Salary range from € 3974.- to € 5439.- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions .

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification. If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Further information about the position can be obtained from professor Bart Custers (eLaw) ([email protected] ) and professor Jan Adriaanse (business studies) [email protected] . For more details on the procedure, please contact our secretary via [email protected] .

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than October 11, 2022 via the blue button in our application system. Applicants should submit online a letter of interest accompanied by a CV.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated

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