Post-Doctoral Researcher or Senior Researcher

As part of the Chair on Content Moderation funded by the Île-de-France region, the Cnam (Conservatoire national des arts et métiers) is offering a position for a post-doctoral researcher or a senior researcher for at least 12 months to work on online content regulation.

Project Context:
The position is part of the Cnam’s Chair in Humanities and Social Sciences, funded by the Île-de-France region and focused on online content moderation.
In the vast flow of information on the Internet, illegal content, misinformation, and fake news are increasingly circulating. To address these challenges and restore a safe and secure online environment for users, the European legislator has adopted the Digital Services Act. This regulation intends to improve content moderation mechanisms. The Chair aims at supporting this approach, combining both legal and practical perspectives. Legally, it provides analysis to support the implementation of the new regulation, particularly through academic publications. In practice, it tends to support associations’ work, notably by creating practical guides. The researcher will contribute to the Chair’s work and its outreach.

Profile: This position targets researchers in technology law whose research focuses on the regulation of online platforms.
Specifically, you should have:

• Degree: Master’s degree in law or social sciences with research experience, or a PhD in law or social sciences
• Skills:
  • Strong experience in fields related to tech law, online platform regulation, or digital
    content moderation
  • Knowledge of the European legal frameworks in tech law (Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence Regulation, GDPR, etc.)
  • Keen interest in the legal and social issues related to digital rights and fundamental rights
  • Experience in collaborative research projects is an asset
• Personal attributes:
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and put forward new ideas
  • Strong interpersonal skills
• Languages: Fluent in French and English

Job Description:

• Academic Research:
  • Conduct in-depth research related to the legal framework for online content
    moderation (national, European, and international regulations)
  • Analyze the tensions between freedom of expression, user protection, and digital platforms strategies
  • Study platforms’ liability regime relating to illegal, problematic, or controversial content
  • Write articles related to content moderation and public debate
• Contribution to the Chair’s Project:
  • Collaborate with the Chair’s team to develop legal and policy recommendations on online content moderation
  • Participate in the organization of seminars, conferences, and events
  • Contribute to the Chair’s communication strategy
• Supervision and Participation in the Chair:
  • Participate in the supervision of junior researchers (interns)
  • Actively engage in team meetings and scientific discussions within the research team and with external partners
  • Interact with the ecosystem on joint projects

Start date: January 2025, or to be agreed upon

Contract type: Fixed-term research contract – Postdoctoral contract

Location: 2 rue Conté, 75003 Paris, at Laboratoire interdisciplinaire pour la sociologie économique (Lise), a joint research unit of CNRS and Cnam. Remote work can be discussed

Duration: 12 months minimum

Salary and benefits: 2.200 - 2.600 euros monthly net salary depending on experience. Additionally, transport allowance and contribution to health insurance costs can be offered

Supervision: Dr. Suzanne Vergnolle, Associate Professor of Law and holder of the Chair

Application deadline: November 18, 2024

How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted in PDF format and include:

• A complete and detailed CV with a list of publications
• A cover letter

PDF documents should be sent to: suzanne.vergnolle@lecnam.net

Keywords: Online content moderation, public debate, associations, victims’ support, artificial intelligence, European Union