Doctoral student in legal science with a focus on Regulation of AI

Ref no: ORU 2.1.1-04620/2025

Örebro University and the School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences are looking for one doctoral student in legal science with a focus on Regulation of AI, concluding with a doctoral degree.
Start date: Fall 2025.

Project description

The doctoral position is part of the national research program the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program - Humanities and Society (WASP-HS). The aim of WASP-HS is to promote new interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences on the topic of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems and their impact on human and social development. The research program enables cutting-edge research, expertise and capacity building in the humanities and social sciences. For more information about the research and other activities conducted within WASP-HS, please visit the website.

The doctoral position is part of the WASP-HS Research Cluster “The Rule of AI — AI, Regulation, and Society”, which is led by Örebro University in cooperation with Uppsala University and Stockholm University. The cluster will examine how AI is regulated. It will aim to understand the dynamics shaping AI governance and the role of AI in compliance and policy implementation. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, this cluster will seek to shape the future of AI governance in Sweden and beyond. Possible PhD topics include, inter alia, the question how a AI systems are regulated across different sectors, particularly given the tensions between horizontal and sector-specific (vertical) legislation; how the different oversight bodies take shape; how environmental aspects are regulated; how the rule of law and fundamental rights are protected etc. PhD students are encouraged to come up with their own topics in relation to the overarching aim of the cluster.

As a doctoral student, you will be supervised by at least two supervisors (a principal supervisor and assistant supervisors). These are appointed after admission to suit your needs as a doctoral student.

The programme and the doctoral studentship

The doctoral programme consists of courses and an independent research project that you will present in a doctoral thesis. The programme concludes with a doctoral degree in law (LL.D.) and comprises 240 credits, which corresponds to four years of full-time study.

Our ambition is for your doctoral studies to be stimulating and purposeful throughout the programme until you have obtained your doctoral degree. A thorough introduction will therefore get you off to a good start and provide a solid foundation on which you can build your studies. As a doctoral student at Örebro University, you will be offered a specially tailored seminar series, covering matters ranging from doctoral programme rules and careers to support during the study period and networking.

The place on the programme is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the study programme, which corresponds to four years of full-time study. More information on doctoral studentships, part-time studies and part-time doctoral studentships can be found in the Regulations Handbook. The initial salary for a doctoral studentship is SEK 31 300 a month.

Entry requirements and selection

For admission to doctoral studies, applicants are required to meet both general entry requirements and specific entry requirements. In addition, applicants must be considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the programme. For a full account of the entry requirements, refer to the admissions regulations as well as to annex 2 to the general syllabus for legal science.

Applicants meet the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in legal science if they have been awarded a Degree of Master of Laws, a Degree of Bachelor of Legal Science, or a qualification from an older programme in law (Sw. juristlinjen), alternatively a Degree of Master of Legal Science (60 credits), including an independent project on the second cycle in law. A person who has acquired substantially corresponding knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, also meets the specific entry requirements.

Final interviews for the position will take place in person on site in Örebro in September-October 2025. During the pre-selection, interviews may also be held on-line.

Information

For more information about the programme and the doctoral studentship, contact prof. Martin Ebers, martin.ebers@oru.se.

At Örebro University, we expect each member of staff to be open to development and change; take responsibility for their work and performance; demonstrate a keen interest in collaboration and contribute to development; as well as to show respect for others by adopting a constructive and professional approach.

Örebro University actively pursues equal opportunities and gender equality as well as a work environment characterised by openness, trust and respect. We value the qualities that diversity adds to our operations.

Application to the programme and for the doctoral studentship

The application is made online. Click the button “Apply” to begin the application procedure.

For the application to be complete, the following electronic documents must be included:

• Covering letter – describing why you are applying for this position
• CV
• Proof that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (e.g. copies of the original certificates and official transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees)
• Degree project/independent project
• Other relevant documents, course and degree certificates verifying eligibility
• Project description – detailing the topic and aim, research questions and outline, scientific relevance, theory, and method as well as material (10-15 pages, preferably in English)

As a main rule, application documents and attachments are to be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English. Certificates and documents in other languages verifying your qualifications and experience must be translated by an authorised translator to Swedish or English. A list of authorised translators can be obtained from Kammarkollegiet (the Legal, Financial and Administrative Services Agency), www.kammarkollegiet.se/engelska/start.

When you apply for admission, you automatically also apply for a doctoral studentship.

More information for applicants will be found on our career site: https://www.oru.se/english/career/available-positions/applicants-and-external-experts/

The application deadline is 2025-09-01. We look forward to receiving your application!

As we have already made our choices in terms of external collaboration partners and marketing efforts for this recruitment process, we decline any contact with recruitment agencies and advertisers.

As directed by the National Archives of Sweden (Riksarkivet), we are required to deposit one file copy of the application documents, excluding publications, for a period of two years after the appointment decision has gained legal force.