How does European law shape the sustainability of digital infrastructures?
This PhD position offers you the opportunity to conduct original, cutting-edge research in the project ‘Sustainable digital infrastructure’. The research focus will be on the social, democratic, and environmental sustainability of digital infrastructure. Cross-disciplinary questions that researchers in this pillar will tackle are how law and policy can co-construct sustainable and sovereign digital infrastructures. We will engage with policymakers, public institutions, private stakeholders and civil society actors about pathways towards sustainable digitalization and AI.
Your research will cast light on the rules that shape the ecological sustainability of digital infrastructures in Europe. The EU legal framework on digital infrastructures’ sustainability is made up of various EU regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive, the Ecodesign Regulation on servers and data storage products, and the forthcoming legislative initiative for a Cloud and AI Development Act. You will have the chance of critically exploring the legal issues raised at the intersection of digitalisation and sustainability, answering questions such as:How does European law respond to the growing resource consumption and carbon-footprint of digital infrastructures and AI?
- How do democratic principles of EU law (e.g., participation, transparency and accountability) govern the environmental footprint of digital infrastructures?
- Which conflicts between digitalization and sustainability arise in European, national, and local regulation of digital infrastructures?
- How can EU law reconcile its ambitions for digitalization and AI-driven innovation with the growing environmental costs of digital infrastructures?
In addition to legal-doctrinal and normative research, you will incorporate concepts and methods from the multi-disciplinary field of sustainability. You will contribute to the mapping of the legal framework for digital infrastructures. Over the course of the project you will liaise with stakeholders and attend relevant policy events on sustainable digital infrastructures.
This project is funded by the Sectorplan Initiative ‘Democratic Digital Transition’.
What you will do
You will work on a legal PhD thesis at the Institute for Information Law (IViR) and the Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG), Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam. Your PhD research is part of a research project under the supervision of Dr. Kristina Irion and Dr. Kati Cseres. You will explore sustainable digital infrastructures in individual articles that are finally included and bundled in your doctoral thesis.
Next to your PhD research, you will contribute actively to the activities of IViR and ACELG, for instance by participating in workshops, organizing lectures and contributing to joint activities. To develop your teaching skills, you can also be involved in light teaching or student supervision tasks.
More specifically, you are expected to:
- Conduct academic research on European law of sustainable digital infrastructure, culminating in a PhD thesis (based on a minimum of 4 papers or a monograph);
- Present your research in academic conferences, expert sessions, etc.;
- Contribute to the mapping of the legal framework, maintain a project website and produce project-related output such as blog posts;
- Contribute to the public debate and organize outreach activities addressing sustainable digital infrastructures;
- Collaborate with other IViR and ACELG researchers, contribute to the activities of DDT's research pillar on sustainable digital infrastructures and participate in academic activities.
What we expect from you
- A (research) Master’s degree in European Union law or European-focused law and technology or sustainability
- At least 30 EC worth of master’s level coursework relevant to European law;
- Demonstrable affinity with the multi-disciplinary field of sustainability;
- A clear interest in conducting research in the field of sustainable digital infrastructures;
- A creative mind and strong critical and analytical skills;
- Collegial attitude and capacity to work not only independently but also in teams;
- An excellent written and spoken command of English (written and spoken command of other languages, including Dutch, is a plus);
- Ability and willingness to organize workshops, lecture series, and similar events (demonstrable experience with these activities a plus).
If the vacancy appeals to you, but you are doubting whether you might be THE person we are looking for, please do apply? We encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia. We wish to create a research group that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity and not homogeneity is what we are looking for.
What we offer you
We offer an employment contract for 1 year with a probationary period of two months. After a positive assessment at the end of the first year the contract will be extended with 3 years (total 4 years), preferably starting on 1 September 2026. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week.
Your salary ranges from €3.059 in the first year to €3.881 in the final year gross per month based on a full working week of 38 hours. This is exclusive 8% holiday and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
Your workplace
The Institute for Information Law (IViR), officially established in 1989, is one of the largest research centers in the field of information law in Europe, and one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The Institute engages in cutting-edge research into fundamental and topical aspects of information law, and provides a forum for critical debate about the social, cultural and political aspects of regulating information markets.
The Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG) is a leading research centre for the study of legal and governance processes in Europe. In an era of profound societal and ecological transformation, as well as backlash against the values of democracy and the rule of law, ACELG seeks to advance the understanding and development of European law and governance to foster just, democratic, and sustainable European societies.
With over 5,000 students and more than 500 staff members, the Amsterdam Law School is one of the larger law faculties in the Netherlands. We educate lawyers who know how to apply the law effectively with the aim of making a real contribution to solving social problems. The Amsterdam Law School stands for progressive and trail-blazing education and research, for stronger legal institutions, solutions to social problems and a better and juster society.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.
Curious about our organization? Learn more about working at the University of Amsterdam here.
Are you interested in how European law and politics shape the twin objectives of digitalization and sustainability? Do you want to research the European legal framework governing the sustainability of digital infrastructures? Are you willing to critically engage with the multi-disciplinary field of digital sustainability? Then the PhD project ‘Sustainable digital infrastructure’ may be right for you.
How does European law shape the sustainability of digital infrastructures?
This PhD position offers you the opportunity to conduct original, cutting-edge research in the project ‘Sustainable digital infrastructure’. The research focus will be on the social, democratic, and environmental sustainability of digital infrastructure. Cross-disciplinary questions that researchers in this pillar will tackle are how law and policy can co-construct sustainable and sovereign digital infrastructures. We will engage with policymakers, public institutions, private stakeholders and civil society actors about pathways towards sustainable digitalization and AI.
Your research will cast light on the rules that shape the ecological sustainability of digital infrastructures in Europe. The EU legal framework on digital infrastructures’ sustainability is made up of various EU regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive, the Ecodesign Regulation on servers and data storage products, and the forthcoming legislative initiative for a Cloud and AI Development Act. You will have the chance of critically exploring the legal issues raised at the intersection of digitalisation and sustainability, answering questions such as:How does European law respond to the growing resource consumption and carbon-footprint of digital infrastructures and AI?
- How do democratic principles of EU law (e.g., participation, transparency and accountability) govern the environmental footprint of digital infrastructures?
- Which conflicts between digitalization and sustainability arise in European, national, and local regulation of digital infrastructures?
- How can EU law reconcile its ambitions for digitalization and AI-driven innovation with the growing environmental costs of digital infrastructures?
In addition to legal-doctrinal and normative research, you will incorporate concepts and methods from the multi-disciplinary field of sustainability. You will contribute to the mapping of the legal framework for digital infrastructures. Over the course of the project you will liaise with stakeholders and attend relevant policy events on sustainable digital infrastructures.
This project is funded by the Sectorplan Initiative ‘Democratic Digital Transition’.
What you will do
You will work on a legal PhD thesis at the Institute for Information Law (IViR) and the Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG), Amsterdam Law School, University of Amsterdam. Your PhD research is part of a research project under the supervision of Dr. Kristina Irion and Dr. Kati Cseres. You will explore sustainable digital infrastructures in individual articles that are finally included and bundled in your doctoral thesis.
Next to your PhD research, you will contribute actively to the activities of IViR and ACELG, for instance by participating in workshops, organizing lectures and contributing to joint activities. To develop your teaching skills, you can also be involved in light teaching or student supervision tasks.
More specifically, you are expected to:
- Conduct academic research on European law of sustainable digital infrastructure, culminating in a PhD thesis (based on a minimum of 4 papers or a monograph);
- Present your research in academic conferences, expert sessions, etc.;
- Contribute to the mapping of the legal framework, maintain a project website and produce project-related output such as blog posts;
- Contribute to the public debate and organize outreach activities addressing sustainable digital infrastructures;
- Collaborate with other IViR and ACELG researchers, contribute to the activities of DDT's research pillar on sustainable digital infrastructures and participate in academic activities.
What we expect from you
- A (research) Master’s degree in European Union law or European-focused law and technology or sustainability
- At least 30 EC worth of master’s level coursework relevant to European law;
- Demonstrable affinity with the multi-disciplinary field of sustainability;
- A clear interest in conducting research in the field of sustainable digital infrastructures;
- A creative mind and strong critical and analytical skills;
- Collegial attitude and capacity to work not only independently but also in teams;
- An excellent written and spoken command of English (written and spoken command of other languages, including Dutch, is a plus);
- Ability and willingness to organize workshops, lecture series, and similar events (demonstrable experience with these activities a plus).
If the vacancy appeals to you, but you are doubting whether you might be THE person we are looking for, please do apply? We encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia. We wish to create a research group that consists of persons who each contribute in their unique way to the team. Complementarity and not homogeneity is what we are looking for.
What we offer you
We offer an employment contract for 1 year with a probationary period of two months. After a positive assessment at the end of the first year the contract will be extended with 3 years (total 4 years), preferably starting on 1 September 2026. The employment contract is for 38 hours a week.
Your salary ranges from €3.059 in the first year to €3.881 in the final year gross per month based on a full working week of 38 hours. This is exclusive 8% holiday and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU) is applicable.
Your workplace
The Institute for Information Law (IViR), officially established in 1989, is one of the largest research centers in the field of information law in Europe, and one of the largest of its kind in the world.
The Institute engages in cutting-edge research into fundamental and topical aspects of information law, and provides a forum for critical debate about the social, cultural and political aspects of regulating information markets.
The Amsterdam Centre for European Law and Governance (ACELG) is a leading research centre for the study of legal and governance processes in Europe. In an era of profound societal and ecological transformation, as well as backlash against the values of democracy and the rule of law, ACELG seeks to advance the understanding and development of European law and governance to foster just, democratic, and sustainable European societies.
With over 5,000 students and more than 500 staff members, the Amsterdam Law School is one of the larger law faculties in the Netherlands. We educate lawyers who know how to apply the law effectively with the aim of making a real contribution to solving social problems. The Amsterdam Law School stands for progressive and trail-blazing education and research, for stronger legal institutions, solutions to social problems and a better and juster society.
The University of Amsterdam is the largest university in the Netherlands, with the broadest spectrum of degree programmes. It is an intellectual hub with 39,000 students, 6,000 employees and 3,000 doctoral students who are all committed to a culture of inquiring minds.
Curious about our organization? Learn more about working at the University of Amsterdam here.
Your Application and Contact Information
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in this PhD position, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the link below. We will accept applications until Wednesday, 17 June 2026.
Applications should include the following information (submitted in one pdf):
- A letter of motivation (max one page, font size 12, singled spaced) explaining why you are a good candidate for carrying out this research project;
- The official transcript of the master’s degree highlighting at least 30 EC worth of master’s level coursework relevant to European law;
- A full academic CV (2 pages max., font size 12, single spaced);
- A writing sample, such as a Master’s thesis chapter or paper (20 pages max.);
- The names and contact details of two referees, including your thesis supervisor, who may be approached by the selection committee.
Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.
The first round of application interviews will take place online on 25 and 26 June 2026.
For questions about the position, please contact:
Kristina Irion
Associate Professor
E: k.irion@uva.nl
Kati Cseres
Associate Professor
E: k.j.cseres@uva.nl
