Post-doctor in Legal Theory or International law ref. to Quantum Computing - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Lund University is a full-scale and research-intensive university, and the only Swedish university to be part of the strong international networks League of European Research Universities (LERU) and Universitas 21 (U21). Lund University has partner universities in close to 70 countries and attracts more international students than any other higher education institution in Sweden.

The Faculty of Law is characterised by internationalisation, the intertwining of education and research, interdisciplinarity, as well as close and boundary-crossing collaboration with wider society. The Faculty’s research environment and PhD-education are markedly international and, alongside the professional law degree, the Faculty offers several international Master’s programmes. Lund University and the Faculty of Law offer an inclusive work environment that fosters development within the broader dynamic research and innovation area of the Öresund region.

The Faculty of Law is advertising one post- doctoral position within the faculty´s "Quantum Law Project". 

Subject

Legal Theory or International law with particular reference to Quantum Computing

Subject description

The Faculty of Law is advertising one post-doctoral position within the research project QSHIFT: Decision-making in the age of Quantum Computing. QSHIFT is an interdisciplinary research group located in Berlin (Neuroscience, Charité), Copenhagen (Law), St. Gallen (Media & Communication) and Lund (Law). The aim of QSHIFT is to explore the cultural, social and legal significance of quantum computing for human decision-making. The activities of QSHIFT at Lund are coordinated by Dr. Valentin Jeutner. The three-year project is funded by FORTE / CHANSE.

The Lund team explores the legal significance of quantum computing within the context of human decision-making. The overarching question is whether the availability of information and technological expertise impacts a human’s ability to make independent decisions in a legally relevant manner. Specific questions in the context of quantum technology include but are not limited to, for instance, whether human decision-makers at times of crisis (e.g. war, pandemic, natural disasters) have a duty to defer to recommendations generated by quantum models; whether the emergence of highly sophisticated technologies like quantum computing undermines the decision-making autonomy of ordinary individuals; whether existing legal standards for decision-making are also applicable to quantum technology; whether the legal analysis concerning the way in which general AI impairs/enhances a human decision-maker’s decision-making process can be applied to quantum technologies.

Duties

The post-doctoral researcher is expected to dedicate 80% of their time to research. Work duties also include teaching for up to a maximum of 20 %.

The post-doctoral researcher is expected to conduct independent research in the broadly construed areas of legal theory or international law with particular reference to quantum computing. In light of the overarching theme of QSHIFT, project proposals concerning the links between human decision-making processes and emerging technologies from the perspective of legal theory and/or international law are of particular interest. 

The post-doctoral researcher is expected to assist with the coordination of the project’s research activities at Lund and to interact with the project’s three partners in Switzerland, Denmark and Germany.

The researchers and teachers at the Faculty are expected to contribute to a dynamic research environment as well as to other Faculty activities. Work is to be carried out primarily in the workplace provided by the Faculty.

Teaching staff employed as a post doctor are offered the opportunity to undertake further training in teaching and learning in higher education of at least three weeks within the scope of their employment.

Qualifications

A person shall be qualified for appointment as a postdoctoral fellow who has been awarded a doctor’s degree in legal science or a degree deemed equivalent to a doctor’s degree in legal science. Evidence substantiating that these qualifications requirements have been met must have been received at the latest three working days after application deadline´s expiration. An applicant who has completed a doctoral degree no more than three years before the application deadline´s expiration is primarily eligible. Where special grounds exists, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Special grounds include leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, positions as elected representative in trade union organisations, mandatory service in connection with total defence preparations, or comparable circumstances, and practical training or other services/tasks of relevance for the advertised position.

For a post doctor at Lund University, the general qualification requirements concern being suitable for and having the ability in general that is needed to satisfactorily carry out the duties of the appointment in question.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for the advertised position are a good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research in the broadly construed fields of legal theory or international law with particular reference to quantum computing. The primary focus of the assessment shall be on research expertise.

Particular emphasis will be placed on a candidate’s previous engagement with legal questions concerning human decision-making processes.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the submitted plan of the research project.

The successful candidate should be prepared to work within a small team of legal researchers at Lund. Particular emphasis will therefore also be placed on a good ability to work in teams and on a candidate’s curiosity in and openness towards engaging actively with the project’s partner researchers with non-legal backgrounds.

Application process

The application shall include:

• personal letter
• brief curriculum vitae (CV)
• complete list of publications
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate
• certificates from other experiences and skills relevant for the employment position
• a plan of the research project (including plan of publications) the candidate wants to pursue as a post-doctoral researcher (max. 5 pages). The plan must be written in English, Swedish, Danish, or Norwegian.
• list of the PhD thesis and two other academic texts the candidate wishes to submit for assessment
• the PhD thesis and two other academic texts
• short description of teaching qualifications

Duration

Fixed-term employment, three years. The appointment can be extended if special grounds exist.

Conditions

The position is based on a collective agreement between the social partners (trade unions and employer's organisation) dated 19 November 2021.