Research intern in international law and disruptive technologies

The Asser Institute is a research centre for international and European law. Its mission is to contribute to the development of international and European law by conducting independent fundamental research, policy-oriented research, and applied legal research, as well as by initiating and facilitating academic and expert meetings, (professional) education, and public events with a view to disseminating knowledge of international and European law. The institute is dedicated to building a strong research community and creating an environment that facilitates critical-constructive reflection.

The institute invites applications for a:

Research intern – Full-time (38 hours per week)

Starting date: 15 October 2024

Location: The Hague (in person)

The research intern will provide research assistance to the DILEMA project on Designing International Law and Ethics into Military Artificial Intelligence, and the research strand on disruptive technologies in peace and security (DTPS). The DILEMA project explores interdisciplinary perspectives on military applications of artificial intelligence (AI), with a focus on legal, ethical, and technical perspectives on safeguarding human agency over military AI. The research strand on disruptive technologies in peace and security conducts research on technologies that have disruptive implications for international security and international law, such as military AI, biochemical weapons, and neurotechnology.

Tasks and objectives
The research intern will assist in the implementation of several research activities in the context of the DILEMA project and the DTPS research strand, including

editorial support to a book project on military applications of AI;
research support on topics related to AI and public international law;
organisational support for expert meetings, academic symposiums, and public outreach events.

The research intern will gain knowledge on the intersection of international law and disruptive technologies and explore complex legal and policy questions on the international governance and regulation of these technologies. They will gain direct experience on various facets of academic research, and work in close collaboration with recognised experts in the field of international law and technology. They will also be able to develop general professional skills such as written and oral communication in a professional context, and planning and organisation of individual tasks and responsibilities.

Qualifications and background
Interested applicants should meet the following requirements:

Enrolled as a student, or recently graduated, in public international law;
Solid knowledge of general public international law, international humanitarian and/or human rights law, State and/or individual and/or corporate responsibility (demonstrated by relevant courses taken and grades obtained);
Keen interest in disruptive technologies, in particular artificial intelligence;
Fluent in English, with excellent drafting and editing skills;
Outstanding attention to detail;
Good command of IT tools including MS Office.

Internships at Asser are for students in principle and, exceptionally, for recent graduates. This means that you must be registered as a student at a university or a school and must be eligible to live and work in the Netherlands through either EU citizenship or a student visa from a Dutch university. Recent graduates (bachelor and master) may apply, but only within the first year of graduation, when ‘learning through interning’ may still add to your education.

The internship is an opportunity to learn in an active and dynamic research environment. Therefore, we expect interns to be present at the Institute in The Hague. It is not a remote working opportunity.

The Asser institute cannot offer internships to students without EU citizenship or already in possession of a Dutch residency and work permit. In order to accelerate the selection process, please clearly include the relevant information on your nationality, visa status or residence permit in your application.

Read this page on internships at the Asser Institute for more information.

Conditions
This appointment is for three months. It can be extended for an additional three months subject to positive review. Interns at the Asser Institute receive a monthly expense allowance of €550.

How to apply
Interested applicants should send a letter of motivation, a CV, and an academic writing sample in English (e.g. master’s thesis or research paper from a course), all in PDF format, to po@asser.nl by Tuesday 3 September 2024, at 23:59 CEST at the latest, indicating ‘Application DILEMA Internship’ in the subject line. Applications received after the deadline, or not including the required three components in PDF (letter of motivation, CV, writing sample) will not be considered eligible.

Questions about this internship can be addressed in writing to Dr Bérénice Boutin (b.boutin@asser.nl) or Taylor Woodcock (t.woodcock@asser.nl).