As part of the ‘Excellence in Digital Sciences and Interdisciplinary Technologies’ (EXDIGIT) initiative, funded by the Province of Salzburg, the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg is seeking to appoint a

postdoctoral researcher (f/m/d; 40 hours/week; up to 5 years)

The successful candidate will execute research in close collaboration with Frank Pallas, EXDIGIT professor for Privacy Engineering and Policy-Aligned Systems and help shaping and establishing a respective research program. In doing so, the candidate is expected to closely collaborate within the wider framework of the EXDIGIT Research College and the existing research groups within the Faculty of Digital and Analytical Sciences of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and Salzburg Research.

Candidates are expected to fit well into a genuinely interdisciplinary research setting and share strong interest in privacy engineering and policy-aligned systems, ideally with a focus on one or more of the following areas:

  • Techno-legal privacy engineering, especially also including aspects beyond anonymity and security;
  • Novel technical concepts, mechanisms, and components fostering policy-alignment beyond privacy / data protection law;
  • Societal impacts of emerging technologies and techno-legal implications (“technology-policy co-design”).

Further topics are, of course, welcome as long as they match the general vision outlined. Research is to be conducted with explicit linkage to cutting-edge, real-world, and enterprise- or society-grade technologies and systems.

We are looking for a candidate with a can-do attitude and with excitement for cutting-edge technologies that meets the following profile:

  • Excellent doctoral degree in computer science, information systems, data science, or a related field with interest in techno-legal interdependencies or a doctoral degree in law with outstanding technical capabilities;
  • Excellent programming skills and expertise in relevant cutting-edge technologies (e.g., cloud and enterprise architectures and systems, distributed systems, AI frameworks, IoT, DLT, Web APIs …);
  • Experience in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of IT and the law, preferably relating to recent and upcoming regulations (AI Act, Data Act, DSA, etc.) and/or application domains of particular societal relevance (energy, sustainability, environment, health, mobility …);
  • Interest in building real-world, enterprise- or society-grade, policy-aligned systems and in their experimental evaluation;
  • Very good communication skills in English – oral and in writing (German is a plus);
  • Willingness (and ideally proven competence) to publish in leading scientific outlets (journals and conferences).

Experience in the acquisition and execution of externally funded projects on the national and/or international level – ideally with scientific and industrial partners – is highly welcome. Similarly, proven skills for knowledge transfer towards policymakers, authorities, and society are much appreciated.

The successful candidate is expected to publish research results in outstanding technical and interdisciplinary outlets, to support the organization of scientific events, to participate in maintaining and extending the existing network of national and international collaboration partners, and to support in the acquisition of third-party funding. In addition, assuming responsibility as a principal investigator in further research projects is expected. Teaching assignments may be agreed upon separately. The opportunity to carry out independent research and the time to establish an own academic profile will be given.

For further information, contact Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Pallas ().

According to the Collective Agreement for University Employees, the successful candidate will be allocated to Employment Group B1 (EUR 4.752,30 gross; monthly salary, paid 14 times a year).

Applications should be written in English and include the following documents:

  • cover letter describing your motivation;
  • a CV;
  • the PhD thesis;
  • a list of publications;
  • a brief description (maximum 2 pages) of an interdisciplinary research topic that addresses one of the mentioned fields and establishes connections to other areas and disciplines;
  • contact details for up to three references;
  • Please submit all documents as PDF files to (subject: ‘Application EXDIGIT/Pallas’).

Review of applications will begin 04 September 2024 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Paris Lodron University of Salzburg is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.

Individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses who meet the required qualification criteria are explicitly encouraged to apply. The Paris Lodron University Salzburg aims to increase the proportion of women in its staff and therefore, in case of equal qualifications, women will be given priority.