Ph.D Positions in Theoretical Legal Sciences and Digital Legal Sciences

Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Law, invites qualified candidates to apply for two fully funded, full-time, four-year Ph.D. positions at the Institute for the Interregional Study of Constitutionalism (IISC): (1) a position in Theoretical Legal Sciences, focusing on Constitutional Theory, and (2) a position in Digital Legal Sciences. 

(1) For the Ph.D. position in Theoretical Legal Sciences with a focus on Constitutional Theory, your doctoral research will examine the nexus between constitutionalism and collective identity on a theoretical and philosophical level. 

Your Tasks

1. Conduct research on the functions and scope of constitutionalism.
2. Conceptualize a discursive notion of collective identity.
3. Analyze the conditions necessary for a discursive construction of communities.
4. Collaborate with the research team on project objectives.
5. Develop your doctoral thesis within the project’s framework. 

Your Profile

1. A master’s degree in Constitutional Theory, Political Philosophy/Theory, Philosophy of Law or related fields such as Law, Philosophy, or Political Science, with a theoretical focus on Constitutionalism or Collective Identity.
2. Expertise in one of the following areas is an advantage: Critical Theory (Hegel, Habermas, Foucault); or Epistemology (E.g., Intersubjectivity, Discourse Theory, 4E Cognition, Hermeneutics).
3. A strong academic track record.
4. Excellent academic writing skills.
5. A team player with a high degree of autonomy.
6. Proficiency in English; knowledge of Arabic is a plus. 

(2) For the Ph.D. position in Digital Legal Sciences, your doctoral research will examine polarization in the digital public sphere and deliberative democracy in the context of social media. 

Your Tasks

1. Use tools like text mining and machine learning to collect and analyze social media content (discourse analysis).
2. Program social bots for research purposes.
3. Conduct research on one of the following topics: Identity Politics, the Public Sphere, Deliberative Democracy, or Constitutionalism.
4. Collaborate with the research team on the conduct of the research.
5. Develop your doctoral thesis within the project’s framework. 

Your Profile

1. A master’s degree in Law, Political Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, Cultural Studies or Sociology with a focus on Digital Technologies (Digital Humanities, Digital Social Science, or Digital Psychology).
2. An interdisciplinary profile combining the Humanities or Social Sciences with Computer Science or related fields.
3. Knowledge and experience with computational methods for text classification and analysis.
4. Expertise in Social, Moral, and Political Psychology is an advantage.
5. A strong academic record.
6. Excellent academic writing skills.
7. A team player with a high degree of autonomy.
8. Proficiency in English; knowledge of Arabic is a plus. 

What We Offer

• A financially competitive salary (up to 1.600 EUR net).
• Flexible working conditions.
• An opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment.
• Start date: October 2025 

How to Apply

The application deadline is March 14, 2025, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please submit the following documents in a single PDF file:

• A motivation letter.
• Your CV.
• A short writing sample.

Applications should be emailed to Volker Kaul (kaulv@prf.cuni.cz). Please also contact him for any further inquiries. 

Further Information

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview. Selected candidates will need to apply to the Ph.D. program “Theoretical Legal Sciences – Law and Legal Theory in European Context” at the Faculty of Law at Charles University: https://www.prf.cuni.cz/en/phd-in-english

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