Key Skills

Job Description

We are inviting prospective researchers to apply for a PhD position led by Dr. Mahsa Shabani. This position offers a unique opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary project at the intersection of law, ethics, and technology. The candidate will have the opportunity to shape their own research plan within the broader VIDI project. Working at the UvA Join our team! Artificial intelligence and genomics technologies are transforming healthcare, offering powerful tools for diagnosis and treatment. Yet, these innovations often fail to serve diverse populations fairly, which can reinforce existing inequalities. Current regulatory frameworks lack a comprehensive approach to fairness, often focusing narrowly on anti-discrimination measures while overlooking broader socio-ethical considerations. This PhD project would focus on building a multidimensional conception of fairness in medical AI and genetics, integrating technical, clinical, ethical, and legal perspectives. The project will employ a combination of theoretical analysis and empirical studies (including focus group studies and Delphi studies) to assess the real-world implications of fairness in data-driven healthcare. The PhD project is within the NWO-VIDI project Fairness in Data-Driven Medical Technologies: Solidifying Regulatory Oversight Based on a Multidimensional Conception of Fairness. A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week. 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours. Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes. Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures. Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events. All About This Vacancy What are you going to do Design the scope of the individual PhD research project, and fine-tune the research questions and methodology together with the whole project team; Engage autonomously in - as well as collaborate on - the collection, coding and analysis of data, through doctrinal/literature research, conceptual analysis, focus groups and Delphi study; Present intermediate research results in internal discussions and at workshops and conferences; Contribute to project activities, such as organizing stakeholder meetings, academic events and outreach; and communication of research results to relevant communities of academics, practitioners and policy makers; and Optionally, and in mutual agreement with the project leader and in line with the teaching needs of the Health Law group, have teaching responsibilities. What Do You Have To Offer You have: (or are about to obtain) a master’s degree in law (with a focus on health law or technology law) or bioethics /philosophy. A background in both philosophy / bioethics and law is an advantage. interest (and ideally experience) in conducting multi-method empirical and legal research; interdisciplinary interest in issues on the intersection of law, ethics, and technology (bridging technical, ethical, and legal domains); experience with conducting academic research and academic writing in English; demonstrable team working skills; excellent command of English, both orally and written; interest in broader dissemination of your research findings in the public debate. familiarity with EU regulations (AI Act, MDR, GDPR & EHDS) is an asset; experience with stakeholder engagement (e.g. interviews, focus groups, Delphi studies) is an asset. What Do We Offer You We offer you the opportunity to work in an intellectually stimulating and teamwork-oriented environment. We aim to provide tailor-made and careful supervision with the main goal of helping you grow and flourish academically and professionally. You have the opportunity and obligation to participate in the Amsterdam Law School’s PhD training program. We offer a position for 1.0 FTE (38 hours/week) as a PhD student. The initial appointment is for 1 year with a trial period of 2 months. After a positive evaluation, your appointment will be extended for another 3 years. The start date will be determined by mutual agreement; it is currently scheduled around 1 January 2027. Your salary ranges from €3,204 (in year 1) to €4,051 (in year 4) based on a 38-hour working week. This amount excludes 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten (CAO NU) applies. Your place at the UvA This is where you are going to work You will become a team member of the Law Centre for Health and Life based at the University of Amsterdam’s Law Faculty. Within the Law Centre for Health and Life, you will join the Digital Health & Genomics research group, an interdisciplinary research group consisting of researchers from different academic backgrounds. There are multiple PhD candidates working at the Centre on various projects. You will be invited and expected to actively contribute to the academic life of the Centre, Faculty and University. About The Amsterdam Law School Committed, responsible and open-minded. This is how we at the Amsterdam Law School view the role of law in a constantly changing (international) society. With over 5,000 students and 600 staff, we are one of the larger law faculties in the Netherlands. We educate legal professionals who know how to apply the law effectively with the aim of actually contributing to solutions for society. We respond to social developments through innovative and pioneering research. In this way, we always keep in touch with society. Important to know Your application & contact If you have any questions about the position, please contact by email: Dr. Mahsa Shabani, [email protected] If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application consisting of the documents listed below. Please apply online via the apply button. We will accept applications until 30 November 2026. We hope the candidates will start their position per 1 January 2027. Please note that it is only possible to upload two documents, therefore please combine the required files in two (PDF) documents. File 1 Motivation letter (maximum one page); a CV of no more than three pages; An initial research plan including a research question related to one of the topics, justification on why it warrants investigation, and propose a methodology to answer the question, and a potential reference list (in no more than 800 words, excluding references) writing sample of a recently written, single authored manuscript (e.g., your master’s thesis or other work written during your degree) in English of no more than 30 pages. Contact information of two academic referees File 2 Copies of the LL.B. and LL.M. degrees or equivalent, providing information about the program's length, content, passed courses and grades. If you choose to upload your documents differently, you run the risk that the files are rejected for being too big or that we miss part of your application. Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Core Responsibilities

Develop an individual PhD research project on multidimensional fairness in medical AI and genetics, and conduct legal, conceptual, and empirical research, including focus groups and Delphi studies. Present and communicate findings, contribute to project and stakeholder activities, and optionally undertake teaching responsibilities by mutual agreement.

Requirements

Applicants must have or be close to completing a master’s degree in law, preferably focused on health or technology law, or in bioethics or philosophy; a background spanning both law and philosophy or bioethics is an advantage. They should demonstrate interest in interdisciplinary and empirical research, academic research and writing in English, strong teamwork and communication skills, and an interest in public dissemination; familiarity with relevant EU regulations and stakeholder research methods is an asset.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension Plan
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Partner Leave
• Social Engagement Leave
• Professional Development and Training
• Tailored Academic and Professional Supervision