The KU Leuven Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP) is a research unit of the Faculty of Law and Criminology with the mission to develop legal knowledge in the field of ICT, ethics, digital media and intellectual property. The Centre is affiliated to imec, and is part of the Flemish Knowledge Centre for Data & Society, DigiSoc, Leuven Centre on ICT (LICT) and Leuven.AI. CiTiP has over 30 years of experience conducting research into legal and ethical aspects of innovative information and communication technologies, privacy and security, intellectual property and biotechnology, in both the public and private sectors. CiTiP currently consists of over 90 full-time researchers, including 6 professors, a research expert, 10 postdoctoral researchers, a valorisation expert and administrative support. CiTiP is involved in interdisciplinary projects financed through programmes such as Horizon Europe/H2020, Digital Europe, Marie Curie, FWO, ICON, Belgian and Flemish authorities, as well as through bilateral contracts. For more information, please check the website.
The State Archives of Belgium and State Archives in the Provinces, simply called the State Archives, is a federal scientific institution that is part of the Public Planning Service for Science Policy (BELSPO). The institution consists of the State Archives in Brussels and 19 State Archives spread throughout Belgium. The State Archives acquire and store (after selection) archives that are at least 30 years old from courts and tribunals, public authorities and notaries, but also from private organisations and private individuals - companies, politicians, associations and societies, notaries, large families, etc. - that have played an important role in social life. It ensures that government archives are transferred in accordance with archival standards.
Since January 1, 2019, the DAD (Digital Archiving) service has been a separate service responsible for the collection, management and valorisation of digital born archives and in this context, as a knowledge centre, it supports the other services of the State Archives that are involved in contemporary archive management. DAD manages the SODHA platform (www.sodha.be - Social Sciences and Digital Humanities Archive), a data archive for research data from the social and human sciences, which is part of the European research infrastructures DARIAH and CESSDA. The service is also responsible for internal digital development. This includes, among other things, the analysis and support of the development of internal IT solutions, the provision of advice to colleagues and external parties, the development of the internal records management policy, the setting up of an e-depot, etc.
Website unit
Project
At CiTiP:
The assignment includes academic education, scientific research and scientific services. You will be part of the research team led by Prof. Laura Drechsler, who is also working for 50% at the State Archives, and contribute to a national, European and international IT legal framework that responds to the needs of the society in which it is embedded. The research will focus on one or more of the following themes: data regulation (including open data and reuse of government information), electronic contracting, privacy and data protection, information management and security, public and/or private law aspects of (digital) archiving, artificial intelligence, network and platform regulation, and regulation of digital services and markets. The candidate can also be deployed for teaching tasks at the Faculty of Law and Criminological Sciences, in both Dutch and English.
At ARA:
You will do research for the BELSPO-funded project DAMAR (A Dependable Archive for Managing (Sensitive) Records) with ARA, UCLouvain and VUB as partners. This project is part of the further development of SODHA. The assignment includes scientific research and scientific services. Your position concerns the legal framework of this project, including monitoring and developing the legal framework, taking into account the rights and obligations of the stakeholders.
The research mission of the State Archives is an extension of that of KU Leuven. The publication, processing and archiving of digital information is associated with organisational, technical and legal challenges. SODHA and more generally the State Archives must adapt to a complex legal framework, which is also constantly expanding and changing.
The following is expected of the selected candidate:
- analysing the impact of the current regulations on SODHA;
- formulating recommendations for adjusting the platform and its legal and organisational framework;
- preparing strategic notes and possible cooperation agreements;
- conducting research into the issues surrounding the publication of 'sensitive' data;
- providing legal advice to colleagues and researchers;
- valorising your knowledge through conferences, articles, webinars.
Profile
The following is expected of the selected candidate:
- You have a master's degree in Law, ideally supplemented with a relevant additional master's degree in ICT and IP Law. You must have the diploma at the start of the contract.
- You are fascinated by technological developments and digital transformations in the domain of artificial intelligence, robotics, self-learning/smart algorithms, big data, data spaces, SOLID, blockchain.
- You are fascinated by the impact of technological developments on law, in particular data law and other legislation with specific relevance to digital transformation (e.g. fundamental rights, etc.).
- You are able to familiarise yourself in the short term with the tasks of the State Archives and its activities, more specifically the collection, management and valorisation of private and public information.
- You are able to critically analyse existing and future relevant regulations and translate the implications to the competent services, e.g. in the context of the transposition of EU legislation into Belgian law.
- You have good communication skills, both oral and written (demonstrated through academic publications such as a master's thesis or scientific articles, but also through practice-oriented publications, such as client memos, blog posts, etc.).
- You are flexible and can work both individually and in (an interdisciplinary) team.
- You can plan your work independently, set priorities where necessary, respect deadlines, and also work under time pressure with respect for colleagues and the ambition to deliver high quality.
- You have sufficient knowledge of Dutch or French and English (both spoken and written).
Holders of a diploma obtained abroad require a certificate of equivalence at master/license level, issued by Naric-Vlaanderen. When submitting the application, the file must contain proof of the application for this equivalence. In exceptional circumstances, the request can be added at a later stage. For more information about this, please contact one of the contact persons for this vacancy. After entering the research position, the selected candidate has a period of 6 months to submit the certificate of equivalence, otherwise the contract will be terminated.
Offer
- A full-time appointment for a fixed period of 1 year with an appointment of 50% at CiTiP and 50% (19 hours per week) at the State Archives, with a realistic chance of extension, and with a view to preparing a doctoral thesis.
- A stimulating and dynamic environment, characterised by a unique mix of independence, trust and support.
- A great scholarship (50% KU Leuven – 50% State Archives) for fascinating and enriching research, with extras (an attractive leave scheme, insurance, mobility, preferential rates at sports and cultural facilities, etc.). Staff members who have been employed as an assistant (scientific research) for more than 1 year are excluded. It is not possible to interrupt a current employment contract to start as a doctoral scholarship holder.
- Access to the university facilities and the State Archives.
- Possibilities for teleworking.
KU Leuven and the ARA pursue an equal opportunities and diversity policy.
KU Leuven offers a dynamic, recognised and internationally oriented research environment. The CiTiP research unit is embedded within the Faculty of Law and Criminological Sciences, which has an extensive national and international network within the academic and legal world.
The place of work is Leuven, a historic, dynamic and vibrant city in the heart of Belgium, 20 minutes from Brussels and less than 2 hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.
The ARA offers a stimulating professional research environment. The 'Digital Archiving' service is part of the Brussels Operational Directorate and is responsible for all work processes (acquisition, management and valorisation) regarding digital archives. The service actively participates in various European research infrastructures (DARIAH, CESSDA, APEF, EOSC, etc.). The 'Digital Archiving' service encourages brainstorming, consultation, collegiality, initiative and flexibility. It is a smaller service, but with many contacts and discussion partners, both within and outside the State Archives. The service offers a unique experience as it occupies a key position at the crossroads of the process of legal creation and the evaluation of its concrete application.
The place of work is Brussels. The ARA is located a few minutes from Brussels Central train station (Ruisbroekstraat 2, 1000 Brussels).
Both the ARA and KU Leuven offer the following additional benefits:
- flexible hours and conditions in line with the policies of both partners of the project (teleworking, flexible work schedule, etc.);
- free public transport for commuting and/or bicycle allowance in Belgium;
- affordable hospitalisation insurance through the State Archives and KU Leuven;
- intervention in sports and culture subscriptions;
- childcare support;
- benefits and interesting offers through Belspo and Fedplus.
Interested?
More information is available from Prof. Dr. Laura Drechsler (laura.drechsler@kuleuven.be) or Dr. Johan Van der Eycken, head of the 'Digital Archiving Service' unit (johan.vandereycken@arch.be).
The contract will take effect from 1 September or 1 October 2024.
If you have any problems applying electronically, you can send an email to solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
You are expected to add to the application file:
- an extensive CV (including a complete list of publications);
- a motivation letter describing why you are a suitable candidate for the position and giving an idea of your research plan for the PhD.
When preparing these documents, please take the cross-institutional mandate into account.
KU Leuven and the ARA want to create an environment in which all talents can develop to their maximum potential, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility or support options, you can contact us via the respective email addresses: diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be and personeelsdienst@arch.be.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.