Assistant Professor in Cybercrime

Leiden Law School is looking for an enthusiastic assistant professor with a focus on cybercrime.

Assistant Professor in Cybercrime (0,8- 1,0 FTE)  
Vacancy number 22-592 12763

You will be part of two research groups: the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology and eLaw, the Center for Law and Digital Technologies. At the intersection of these research groups, you will focus on education and research in the area of cybercrime, particularly on the developments in the area of deepfakes and deepfake technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly used for malicious intentions.

One of the most recent developments is the use of AI-based deepfake technology in cybercrime. Deepfake technology offers the possibility of merging images and video. It is also possible to generate completely new footage, for instance, of non-existing people. This technology is cheap and little technological knowledge is required. The use of deepfake technology can be used to mislead people and organisations, for instance, for opening bank accounts for non-existing people (e.g., for money laundering) or convincing victims to transfer money (e.g., CEO-fraud, Whatsapp fraud). The use of deepfakes can also be defamatory in nature (e.g., ‘undressing’ people) or used to generate virtual child sexual abuse images. Currently, no comprehensive overview of deepfake applications in cybercrime exists. Therefore, it is unclear which types and applications of deepfake technology are criminally liable or should be.

The research will focus on questions like: Which applications of deepfake technology are to be considered forms of cybercrime and to what extent are these applications covered by existing criminal law provisions? If current criminal law provisions insufficiently address these applications, should they be criminalized and on which grounds? 

These questions will be addressed through desk research, comparative law research, and empirical research (e.g., stakeholder workshops, and expert interviews).

You will develop courses and education programs on this topic, including developing two courses on cybercrime topics (including but not limited to deepfakes) that can be inserted in the bachelor on Cybercrime & Cybersecurity that three of Leiden University’s faculties (Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, Leiden Law School, and Faculty of Science) are currently setting up together. These courses will also form the basis for a minor program on Cybercrime & Cybersecurity that students of all faculties can follow when choosing electives in their bachelor program. You will provide guest lectures in the JPAO Cybercrime & Cybersecurity program, the master program Crime and Criminal Justice, and in some of the advanced master programs, including Law & Digital Technologies and European and International Human Rights Law.

Key responsibilities

• Developing and teaching courses in the area of cybercrime
• Supervising thesis projects of master students
• Publishing in professional and (international, peer-reviewed) scientific journals
• Initiating and coordinating the submission of research proposals
• Organizing events in the areas of law and digital technologies
• Preparing papers for and presenting at international conferences
• Actively contribute to administrative tasks of the departments
• Actively contribute to the development of the bachelor Cybercrime & Cybersecurity
• Optional: co-supervising PhD candidates

Selection criteria

• A completed PhD in the field of cybercrime. This can be a degree in law and digital technologies or a law degree in criminal law with a proven interest in cybercrime. Candidates with a degree in criminology with a proven interest in cybercrime (including relevant legal frameworks) are also welcome to apply. Candidates who have not yet completed their PhD but have an approved manuscript can also apply
• Experience in teaching, preferably proven by good teaching evaluations
• You are in possession of the Basic Teaching Qualification (UTQ) certificate or are prepared to obtain it within two years
• Excellent research and writing qualities, demonstrated by (international, peer-reviewed) publications
• Experience in submitting research proposals to grant organizations
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary and/or international teams, including sensitivity and inclusiveness regarding cultural differences among staff and students
• Excellent communications skills, spoken and written, team player
• Excellent English, spoken and written; command of the German, French, Spanish or Dutch language is an advantage
• Experience in communication and outreach activities

Leiden Law School
Leiden Law School is located in Leiden and The Hague. With more than 6500 students and around 1000 staff, it is one of the largest university faculties in the Netherlands. The faculty focuses on innovative multidisciplinary research and educational programmes that are constantly renewed in response to issues in society. Our faculty is large enough to make a difference nationally and internationally, yet small enough to offer personalised education. This is how we contribute to a safe and sustainable world, each and every day. For more information: Leiden Law School - Leiden University.

 The department
The position will be shared between the departments of eLaw and the institute of Criminal Law and Criminology. The assistant professor will be appointed 50% at eLaw and 50% at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology. Physical presence in both departments will further ensure cooperation between departments. Cooperation with other faculties include the aforementioned Cybercrime & Cybersecurity bachelor program, the Faculty of Humanities master program on Disinformation and Strategic Communication in Global Media, FSW/FGGA for the Leiden University Resilience Hub, and FWN (SAILS program on AI). You will be part of the Criminal Justice research program within the Leiden Law School.

Within our policy framework on quality, almost all academic staff at the Faculty of Law have obtained a PhD degree and have met the requirements for the advanced research qualification. In addition, they make a significant contribution to the faculty research program. More information on the advanced research qualification and research programs of the Graduate School of Legal Studies can be found on: law.leiden.edu/research-leiden-law-school/graduate-school-of-legal-studies.html.

Terms and conditions
This is a 0.8-1.0 fte assistant professor position. The start date can be discussed, but preferably before the end of 2022. This position is intended as a permanent position, but the initial period of employment in this position is for 18 months.
Salary range from € 3974.- to € 5439.- gross per month on a full-time basis (pay scale 11), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Leiden University requires teaching staff to obtain the University Teaching Qualification. If the successful applicant does not already possess this qualification or its equivalent, he/ she must be willing to obtain this Qualification within two years.

Diversity and inclusion
Fostering an inclusive community is a central element of the values and vision of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is inclusive.

Information
Further information about the position can be obtained from professor Bart Custers (eLaw) (b.h.m.custers@law.leidenuniv.nl) and professor Jeroen ten Voorde (criminal law) J.M.ten.Voorde@LAW.leidenuniv.nl. For more details on the procedure, please contact our secretary via elaw@law.leidenuniv.nl.

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than October 11, 2022 via the blue button in our application system. Applicants should submit online a letter of interest accompanied by a CV.

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated