Field of Research & Scope

In a digitally connected world, the question of how to respect, protect, and implement human rights has become unavoidable. As ever more human beings, organizational systems, and technical devices transition online, realizing human rights in online settings is becoming ever more pressing. When looking at basic human rights such as freedom of expression, privacy, free assembly, the right to a fair trial, or free and fair elections, it is clear that all of these are heavily impacted by new information and communications technologies. 

Questions around what can be said online and how online platforms shape societal debates have become highly relevant both for the role of technology in society and democracy more broadly. These questions raise considerable challenges for the public sector. Do digital public infrastructures reflect democratic values? What do free and fair elections look like in the digital age? In studying these issues at the Human Rights and Technology Research Group at IT:U, we bring together social and political sciences, computer science, STS, and law to radically re-imagine the regulation of digital technologies. 

• Measuring online behavior, rules, and governance

  Socio-legal research into online behavior 

  Studying compliance with rules 
  
  
• Empirical legal research
  Measuring implementation of law
  Understanding how law is interpreted in public and private sector
  
  
• Governance of AI and online platforms
  Approaches to Govern AI and online platforms
  Accountability and transparency 

We offer

• Collaborations: The research group enjoys close collaborations with top research labs around the world. We work closely with the AI Futures Lab on Rights and Justice at TU Delft and other leading labs working on human rights and technology. The research group also collaborates with researchers within IT:U and supports co-supervision with other IT:U professors.
• International mobility & exchange: Selected candidates will benefit from interactions with the PI’s collaborators and colleagues in Europe, North America and Asia (e.g., TU Delft, University of Utrecht, and European University Institute), who are happy to host PhD students for short stays.
• Professional & personal development: Our goal is to support you in your career path and in becoming the best version of your (academic) self. Whether that means becoming a leading academic, joining industry, or the public sector, we want to explore together which career path works best for you. 

Responsibilities & Tasks

• Conducting research.
• Writing academic publications.
• Attending national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with other research groups on an interdisciplinary basis.
• Performing auxiliary activities in academic teaching for up to 2 weekly credit hours.
• Helping to file applications for third-party funding.
• Complying with the institution’s academic standards and ethical guidelines.

Skills & Qualifications needed

• A master's degree or equivalent in the social sciences, STS, Law, HCI, technology and society research, computer science, or another related field.
• Background in human rights and technology research or related research fields preferred.
• Experience in conducting independent research.
• Ability to publish research findings in high-impact journals.
• Skills in presenting research at international conferences and workshops.
• The ability to work and think independently.
• Fluent in English (CEFR C1 or equivalent).

What you can expect

• Innovative and stimulating working conditions in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
• Office kitchen with complimentary basic supplies.
• Austrian “KlimaTicket Ö” (unlimited travel on all public transportation within Austria).
• We offer a gross salary in line with the market from EUR 3.714,80 (x14) on a full-time basis (40h).

Program Structure

IT:U offers a 4-year, structured PhD program.
 
In the first year, emphasis is placed on focused group work, research lab modules, and Project Integrated Courses (PICS). The first year concludes with a PhD Proposal Presentation. Over the next three years, students will develop and write their PhD theses. This is accompanied by interdisciplinary research seminars and work as a project assistant. The PhD program concludes after the 4th year with the submission and defense of the PhD thesis.
 
Click here to view the curriculum. 

How to apply

Please fill in the online application form and upload your files at: https://apply.it-u.at/

• Curriculum Vitae
• Bachelor’s and master’s diploma (or equivalent)
• Bachelor’s and master’s transcript of records
• Motivational letter (max. 2 pages)
• Up to 3 contacts of professors/collaborators for recommendations

For details, questions, and expressions of interest, candidates are welcome to contact the principal investigator Ben Wagner, ben.wagner@it-u.at, before submitting their application. Please attach a CV to your email.

We look forward to receiving your online application.

DEADLINE:   January 31st, 2026