Paid PhD Position in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence (EO-TRUST Project) at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Faculty of Law, Netherlands (Salary EUR 3,204 - EUR 4,051 per month)

The Faculty of Law of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) is recruiting a PhD researcher in Space Law and Artificial Intelligence. The position sits within EO-TRUST, a EUR 1 million multidisciplinary project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and led by Dr Ioana Bratu.

The research will examine the legal and ethical dimensions of AI-enabled Earth Observation, focusing on how space law, AI regulation and related legal frameworks address resilience, responsibility and the trustworthy use of satellite data. The researcher will work in a multidisciplinary environment connecting law with Earth Observation, artificial intelligence and computer science.

• Conduct independent doctoral research on the legal and ethical governance of AI-enabled Earth Observation.
• Map and analyse the applicable legal frameworks, including international space law, the EU Space Act, the EU AI Act and relevant security and military law.
• Conduct doctrinal and empirical research, including interviews and engagement with governmental, regulatory, academic and industry stakeholders.
• Contribute to academic publications, policy outputs, conferences, workshops and the development of principles for responsible and explainable AI-enabled Earth Observation.
• Contribute to the activities of the Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute and the Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center.

• A completed LL.M. or equivalent master's degree in law, preferably with a specialisation or demonstrated interest in technology (AI) law, space law, EU law or public international law.
• Strong academic research and legal analytical skills, with an interest in collaborating in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Knowledge of, or a demonstrable interest in, the legal and regulatory implications of space activities and artificial intelligence.
• Experience or an interest in empirical legal research and in working with stakeholders from government, industry and technical disciplines.
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to communicate legal research clearly to academic and non-academic audiences.

The vacancy states: "we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements." No nationality restriction is stated, so applicants from India with an LL.M. may apply.

• Salary of minimum EUR 3,204 and maximum EUR 4,051 gross per month on a full-time basis (Scale 85 PhD, UFO profile PhD candidate). The exact salary depends on education and experience.
• A position of at least 0.8 FTE. The employment contract initially lasts 1 year, with the possibility of expansion to a total of 4 years.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, ABP pension scheme, and a contribution to commuting expenses.
• A full-time 38-hour working week carries 232 hours of holiday leave per year.
• The opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience at Caeli BV as an intern, and access to the EO-TRUST Advisory Board, which includes representatives from ESA, the European Commission, EUSPA and the European Parliament.

Apply only through the online application form on the VU Amsterdam vacancy page (the Apply button). Submit your CV and a relevant writing sample (for example a master thesis, thesis chapter or publication). References may be requested as part of the application process.

Deadline: the vacancy text asks for applications by Monday 16 November 2026, 23:59 hr, while the vacancy header on the same VU page shows "Closes on 27-11-2026". We list the earlier date; apply by 16 November 2026 to be safe.

VU states that applications received by e-mail will not be considered. For questions about the position, contact Dr Ioana Bratu.

Interviews, in Amsterdam or online, are expected to take place between 1 December and 11 December 2026. The position starts on 1 February 2027.

The Amsterdam Space Law & Sustainability Center is hosted at the Faculty of Law of VU Amsterdam and funded by the Amsterdam Law & Technology Institute (ALTI). It is a multidisciplinary platform for research on the legal, technological and societal challenges of human activities in outer space, including space sustainability, security and militarisation, artificial intelligence, quantum and other critical technologies, and the legal dimensions of space operations.

The VU Faculty of Law has over 400 staff members and a student body of 4,500.