Are you a visionary postdoctoral researcher passionate about the intersection of Law and Advanced Technologies? Join a pioneering research environment!

The Czech Law and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (CLAiR) at the Faculty of Law, Palacký University Olomouc, led by Dr. Ondrej Hamulak (ORCID: 0000-0003-4147-2891; ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ondrej-Hamulak; Google Scholar: https://g.co/kgs/2mZXTh2) invites ambitious researchers to co-develop applications for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025.

CLAiR was created in April 2025 to stand at the forefront of exploring the complex legal and societal challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. This is a foremost opportunity to develop your groundbreaking research project, significantly boost your international career, and contribute to shaping the legal frameworks of our digital future.

Why Pursue Your MSCA PF at CLAiR, Palacký University?

• Expert Supervision in Law & Technology: Benefit from the direct mentorship of Dr. Hamulak, a recognized expert in EU Law with a strong focus on the legal implications of emerging technologies.
• Pioneering Research Institute: Conduct your research within CLAiR, a dedicated institute fostering forward-thinking scholarship on law and advanced technologies.
• Engage with our Innovative DigiLaw Programme: Collaborate and network with the vibrant academic community of our new international Ph.D. programme: Law and Digital Technologies (https://digilaw.upol.cz/en). This offers unique synergies, including opportunities for guest lectures, joint seminars, and engagement with the next generation of digital law scholars.
• Contribute to a Developing Field: Play a key role in an intellectually stimulating environment, contributing directly to CLAiR's dynamic research agenda and Palacký University's growing reputation in law and technology.
• Career Acceleration: An MSCA PF at CLAiR provides an exceptional platform to establish your research independence, acquire specialist skills, and expand your global professional network in a rapidly evolving field.

Cutting-Edge Postdoctoral Research Themes at the Intersection of EU Law & Advanced Technologies

We are seeking to co-develop MSCA-PF proposals on novel and impactful topics. Drawing from Dr. Hamulak's expertise and CLAiR's focus, we particularly welcome projects in the following areas (though other original ideas at the nexus of EU law and technology are also encouraged):

1. The EU's Pursuit of Digital Sovereignty: Legal Architecture, Geopolitical Implications, and Fundamental Rights in the AFSJ Context

Focus: This research will conduct an in-depth legal analysis of the EU's multi-faceted strategy for achieving digital sovereignty, as embodied in landmark regulations (e.g., Data Act, AI Act, Digital Services Act, Cyber Resilience Act) and key policy initiatives. It will critically evaluate the internal coherence and external impact of this agenda, particularly concerning international cooperation and data flows within the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). The project will assess how these ambitions align with the EU’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, democratic values, and fundamental rights in its global interactions, proposing frameworks to ensure a rights-based approach to digital sovereignty.

Keywords:EU Digital Sovereignty, AFSJ, International Data Transfers, EU External Relations Law, Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights, EU AI Act, GDPR, Cybersecurity Law, Geopolitics of Technology.

2. EU Digital Citizenship in the Age of AI and Data Sovereignty: Redefining Rights, Identity, and Democratic Participation

Focus: This research will investigate how the confluence of pervasive datafication, the rise of sophisticated AI, and the EU’s strategic push for digital sovereignty are fundamentally reshaping the concept, rights, and lived experience of EU citizenship. The project will explore the evolving interplay between data protection rights (GDPR, Data Act), emerging digital identity solutions (e.g., EU Digital Identity Wallet), AI's impact on civic discourse and participation, and the potential for these technologies to either bridge or widen the digital divide. It aims to propose legal and policy frameworks that empower citizens and ensure inclusive democratic engagement in a digitally transformed EU.

Keywords:EU Citizenship, Digital Rights, AI Ethics, Data Governance, GDPR, EU Digital Identity, e-Democracy, Algorithmic Bias, Fundamental Rights, Digital Sovereignty.

3. Accountability of EU Bodies in the Algorithmic Era: Ensuring Rights-Compliant Governance of Advanced Technologies

Focus: This project will critically examine the challenges to accountability and fundamental rights protection posed by the increasing adoption of big data analytics and AI tools by key EU bodies and agencies (e.g., Frontex, Europol, eu-LISA, ECB, EBA). The research will assess the effectiveness of existing oversight mechanisms (e.g., Fundamental Rights Officers, EDPS, European Ombudsman, judicial review by the CJEU) in scrutinizing complex technological systems. It aims to develop novel legal, ethical, and institutional frameworks for robust, transparent, and rights-compliant governance of advanced technologies by EU entities.

Keywords:EU Agencies, EU Institutional Law, Accountability, Fundamental Rights, Big Data, AI Governance, Algorithmic Transparency, Oversight Mechanisms, EU Ethics Bodies, Judicial Protection.

4. Governing Algorithms: Upholding the Rule of Law in the EU's Technological Transformation (AFSJ Focus)

Focus: This project will critically analyse the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and algorithmic decision-making (ADM) – particularly those deployed by EU institutions and Member States within the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ, e.g., in predictive policing, automated border controls, AI-driven asylum processing) – on foundational rule of law principles. The research will scrutinize the adequacy of current and forthcoming EU legal frameworks (e.g., the AI Act, GDPR) and aim to develop innovative legal and governance models to ensure algorithmic transparency, accountability, non-discrimination, and effective remedies within the EU's AFSJ.

Keywords:EU Rule of Law, AFSJ, AI Governance, Algorithmic Accountability, Explainable AI (XAI), Fundamental Rights, Judicial Protection, EU AI Act, Digital Justice, Legal Tech.

What CLAiR Offers MSCA PF Candidates:

• Dedicated supervision and mentorship in crafting a competitive MSCA PF proposal.
• Full access to Palacký University's extensive research infrastructure, libraries, and online resources.
• A collaborative and stimulating research environment within CLAiR, including regular seminars and workshops.
• Opportunities to develop teaching and mentoring skills within the DigiLaw Ph.D. programme.
• Comprehensive administrative support from the university throughout the application process and, if successful, during the fellowship.

Express Your Interest and Co-Create Your Future!

If you are a highly motivated researcher with an excellent track record and an original research project idea that resonates with CLAiR's focus, we are eager to hear from you!

Please send an initial expression of interest to Dr. Ondrej Hamulak at ondrej.hamulak@upol.cz and Dr. Hana Hurtikova (hana.hurtikova@upol.cz) including:

1. A Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages, detailing your research achievements, publications, and projects).
2. A concise research project outline (max. 2 pages), clearly explaining its objectives, methodology, originality, and alignment with CLAiR's profile and one of the suggested themes (or your own related EU law & tech idea).

Recommended deadline for expressions of interest:15 July 2025 (to allow ample time for joint proposal development for the September 2025 MSCA PF deadline).

Join CLAiR at Palacký University Olomouc and be at the vanguard of Law and Technology research!