Researcher on Financial Surveillance and Ethics of Information Sharing

The Political Science Department is looking for a researcher on financial surveillance and the ethics of public-private information sharing. The position is part of the EU-funded research project CRAAFT 'Collaboration, Research and Analysis Against the Financing of Terrorism,' which is an EU-funded international research network with partners in Belgium, the UK and Slovakia. The main objective of CRAAFT is to understand, analyse and develop Counter-Terrorism Financing capacities in the European Union. Its research objectives include the assessment of current threats, capabilities, legitimacy and futures of Counter-Terrorism Financing in the European Union and beyond. The Researcher based in Amsterdam focuses on the ethics of public-private financial information sharing.

What are you going to do?

In the name of Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT), we increasingly see innovative public-private data sharing initiatives. Information sharing platforms can take different legal forms, but generally entail the creation of technical infrastructures and trust relations between law enforcement and private industry, to enable the development of shared threat perceptions and the sharing of targeted personal information of possible terrorist suspects. These developments entail challenges concerning privacy, data protection and broader ethical concerns.

This researcher focuses on the ethics of public-private financial information sharing. The privacy and civil liberties concerns of public-private information sharing in CFT remain poorly understood. The successful candidate will map, analyse and address the legal and ethical challenges of public-private information sharing platforms in four selected case study countries (most likely Canada, the UK, The Netherlands and Australia). These challenges include privacy, political legitimacy and compatibility with democratic core values.

The researcher is expected to have a good knowledge of the literatures on financial surveillance and its ethical challenges. S/he will conduct fieldwork and interviews with participants in existing public-private information sharing platforms. S/he will build on and advance existing literatures in financial surveillance and security. S/he will produce six short reports that map the political discussions in the case study countries. S/he will map and analyse the ethical issues at stake in public-private financial information sharing, and will help develop a best-practice guide in this field. The results of the research will also be presented in two academic journal articles.

Tasks

The successful candidate will be expected to have a high level of competence and motivation to undertake the following tasks:

• analyse the ethics of public-private financial information sharing in counter-terrorism financing in a series of six (public) reports;
• present the findings of the project in two academic journal articles to be submitted;
• connect the ethics of public-private financial information sharing to literatures on (financial) surveillance and the ethics of technologies;
• undertake fieldwork and gather data relevant and available to the overall project;
• regularly present intermediate research results within the CRAAFT network and at international conferences;
• contribute to the CRAAFT network and the organisation of its research activities and events;
• participate in the Transnational Configurations, Conflict and Governance research group of the AISSR.

What do we require?

Ideal candidates:

• have obtained a (research) master’s degree in a field relevant to the theme of the research, in particular politics, International Relations, surveillance studies, criminology, law, anthropology, social sciences, or European Studies;
• have good knowledge of the academic literatures on (financial) surveillance and its ethical implications;
• have a proven interest in CFT, public-private information sharing, and/or financial surveillance;
• are persons with initiative, excellent communication skills, and to work independently as well as in a team;
• have well-developed analytical skills as well as creativity and perseverance;
• possess good academic writing, presentation and organisational skills;
• can demonstrate a strong interest in the topic of this project;
• have experience with qualitative research methodology, especially interviews;
• are able to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing.

Knowledge of (written and spoken) Dutch is an asset.

Our offer

The appointment will be on a temporary basis for a period of 3 years for 31.5 hours/0.83fte per week. In the first instance, a contract will be given for 12 months; if positively evaluated, the contract will be extended.
On the basis of a full-time appointment, 38 hours a week, the gross monthly salary will be €2,261 to €3,052 (scale 7) depending on experience , excl. 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end of year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable. The successful candidate is expected to begin their project as early as possible in 2019.

Would you like to learn more about working at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG)? Visit our website.

Questions?

You may obtain additional information about the vacancy from:

• prof. Marieke de Goede

About the faculty

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences (FMG) is the largest educational and research institution in the social sciences in the Netherlands. The Faculty serves 7,500 students in numerous Bachelor and Master programmes in Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Communication Science, Psychology, Social Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, and Educational Sciences. The academic staff are employed in education as well as research. The successful candidate will join the Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR).

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity. Read More.

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Does this profile sound like you? If so, we are eager to receive:

• a motivation letter;
• a full CV;
• a transcript of the grades during your studies as well as your diploma;
• a brief research plan of around 500-1,000 words. The research plan should outline how you would approach the research topic, including a perspective on the main ethical issues in public-private information sharing, and how these can be researched and
• two names of referees who may be contacted for a letter of reference.

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

You may apply online by clicking on the link below. #LI-DNP

No agencies please