Doctoral fellow

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

Are you interested in the legal and regulatory challenges of artificial intelligence in high-stakes societal domains such as crime and security? Do you want to research how emerging AI systems can be developed and deployed in compliance with European law, fundamental rights and ethical principles?

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded a prestigious Consolidator Grant to Prof. dr. Wim Hardyns (Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University). Within the ERC-funded BIGDATPOL project (www.bigdatpol.com), we are looking for a doctoral researcher with a strong interest in in law, regulation and governance of AI and data-driven systems.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in domains such as policing, law enforcement and crime prevention. These applications raise profound legal, regulatory and ethical questions, particularly where decisions are made under uncertainty, data are incomplete or sensitive, and individuals’ rights may be affected.

The BIGDATPOL project examines how AI-driven analytical and decision-support systems can be developed and used in a manner that is legally compliant, transparent and socially responsible. The project explicitly engages with European legal frameworks, including:

• data protection and privacy law
• AI-specific regulation and governance
• fundamental rights and proportionality in law enforcement contexts

The research is conducted in close interaction with technical researchers, public authorities and institutional partners across several European countries.

As a doctoral researcher, you will focus on the legal and regulatory dimension of AI-based crime and security applications. Your tasks will include:

• Analysing the legal and ethical framework governing AI, data analytics and risk-based systems in crime and security contexts
• Examining the implications of European legislation, including the GDPR, the AI Act, the Law Enforcement Directive and related regulatory instruments
• Conducting legal risk analyses and contributing to impact assessments (e.g. DPIAs, AI Act compliance assessments)
• Developing guidelines and recommendations for privacy-by-design and compliance-by-design, in dialogue with technical researchers
• Monitoring regulatory developments and assessing their implications for AI-driven security practices
• Actively participating in interdisciplinary collaboration, consortium meetings and stakeholder interactions
• Disseminating research results through scientific publications, policy-oriented outputs and international conferences

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We welcome applications from candidates (m/f/x) with:

Educational background

• A Master’s degree in law, or in a closely related field with a strong legal component (e.g. criminology, public administration, governance studies)
• Final-year Master’s students are eligible

Legal expertise

• Knowledge of or strong interest in data protection law (GDPR), AI regulation (AI Act) and the legal framework governing law enforcement and surveillance
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex legal and regulatory frameworks and translate them into clear guidelines
• Interest in the legal and ethical challenges of AI-driven and data-intensive systems

Research mindset

• Affinity with interdisciplinary research at the intersection of law, technology and society
• Ability to write academically and to communicate legal insights to non-legal audiences

Personal skills

• Independent and analytical working style, combined with team spirit
• Strong communication skills in English (Dutch is an asset)

Experience with legal risk assessments, impact assessments (e.g. DPIA) or regulatory compliance analysis is considered an asset.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• A fully funded PhD position (6-month initial appointment, followed by a 4-year contract upon positive evaluation)
• Research within a prestigious ERC-funded project with high scientific autonomy
• Strong support for international publications, conferences and advanced training
• A stimulating interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of law, AI and social sciences
• Competitive salary and employment conditions according to Ghent University scales
• Starting date: from 1 May 2026 (flexible)

INTERESTED?

Please submit your CV, grades for individual courses and motivation letter before 8 March 2026 (23:59 CET) to: bigdatpol@ugent.be

Should you have any questions regarding the position, please do not hesitate to contact us via the same email address.