Doctoral Contract Offer at UT Capitole

DOCTORAL CONTRACT OFFER
Artificial Intelligence Law
Toulouse Capitole University ; TRIAL Chair – ANITI
ANITI – TRIAL Chair | University of Toulouse Capitole

Establishment : Toulouse Capitole University
Laboratory : Toulouse School of Law – Research (EDT-R)
Attached Chair : TRIAL – Trust and Responsibility in Artificial Intelligence (ANITI AI
Cluster)
Supervision : Jessica Eynard, Associate Professor HDR, Toulouse Capitole University and/or Céline Mangematin, Professor, Toulouse Capitole University
Duration of the contract : 3 years (October 2026 – September 2029)
Funding : €2,494.55 gross monthly
Section CNU : 01 – Private Law and Criminal Sciences
Location : Toulouse Capitole University and B612 ANITI site in Toulouse
Applications : To be sent to: idp@ut-capitole.fr - before 30/06/2026
 

1. The ANITI ecosystem: a research environment of excellence
The Artificial and Natural Intelligence Toulouse Institute (ANITI) is one of the four Interdisciplinary
Institutes of Artificial Intelligence (3IA) created as part of the French National AI Plan. It was
accredited in 2019 and renewed in 2024 under the designation AI Cluster. ANITI brings together
more than 300 researchers from 31 universities, engineering schools and research organizations
(CNRS, INRAE, INRIA, etc.) in 145 laboratories and around 19 scientific chairs.
With an overall budget of €90 million and more than 60 industrial and institutional partners, ANITI is
one of the most dynamic ecosystems AI research ecosystems in Europe. Its dedicated B612 space
brings together researchers, industrial partners and start-ups in a single location around several
priority application sectors: mobility and transport, industry 4.0, environment, healthcare, and others
 

2. The TRIAL Chair : Trust and Responsibility in Artificial Intelligence
The TRIAL Chair (Trust and Responsibility in Artificial Intelligence) is an ANITI synergy chair
bringing together expertise in machine learning, law, mathematics and economics. It is directed
by Jean-Michel Loubes (mathematics, INRIA), Jérôme Bolte (optimization, TSE), Alex Smolin
(economics, TSE) and Jessica Eynard (law, Toulouse Capitole University).
The Chair's ambition stems from the observation that AI is producing profound transformations in
the economy, healthcare, finance, the military sector, and many other fields. The opportunities it offers
are accompanied by numerous risks that are difficult to anticipate. This situation requires the
development of a framework of trust capable of ensuring that AI outcomes respect fundamental rights
and freedoms.

In response to these challenges, the TRIAL Chair develops a multidisciplinary approach to regulate,
audit, and improve AI systems. From a legal perspective, its research notably focuses on compliance
with the European AI Regulation (AI Act), liability mechanisms for algorithmic operators, the
protection of fundamental rights in the face of automated decision-making, and the interaction
between technical standards and legal norms. The doctoral candidate will join this interdisciplinary
team and benefit from joint supervision involving both legal scholars and AI researchers.

3. Candidate Profile
▸ Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification, corresponding to the completion of 300 ECTS)
in Digital Law or AI law, with an excellent academic record
▸ High quality master's research dissertation, ideally related to the themes of the chair
▸ Strong interest in multidisciplinary research and ability to work with teams of mathematicians,
computer scientists and economists
▸ Excellent level in English in required (working language of the ANITI community)
▸ Intellectual curiosity, strong writing skills, and ability to conduct independent research

4. Application procedure
Applications are open until June 30, 2026. The application file must include:
▸ A detailed curriculum vitae
▸ a 3-page research proposal, structured (issues, first avenues for reflection, envisaged
scientific approach) and related to the themes of the Chair.
▸ Academic transcripts from the first year of undergraduate studies to Master, and the
certificate of completion of the master's degree
▸ The master's research dissertation
 

Applications should be sent to: idp@ut-capitole.fr mentioning in the subject line: "TRIAL PhD
application".
Selection will be made on the basis of an application file, followed by an interview with the TRIAL
Chair team.
More information on the TRIAL Chair: Site ANITI : https://aniti.univ-toulouse.fr