Post-Doctoral Offer at UT Capitole

POST-DOCTORAL OFFER
Artificial Intelligence Law
Toulouse Capitole University · TRIAL Chair – ANITI

Establishment : Toulouse Capitole University
Laboratory : Toulouse School of Law – Research (EDT-R)
Attached Chair : TRIAL – Trust and Responsibility in Artificial Intelligence (ANITI IA
Cluster)
Supervision : Jessica Eynard, Associate Professor HDR, Toulouse Capitole
University and/or Céline Mangematin, Professor, Toulouse
Capitole University
Duration of the contract : 1 year
Funding : Amount to be determined according to profile
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 15/07/2026
 

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. Research themes and Candidate profile
The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to conduct advanced research in AI law, with a particular focus on AI sovereignty. AI sovereignty has become a major strategic issue for States, international organizations and economic actors. It refers to the ability to control digital infrastructures, data, algorithmic models and legal standards that structure the development and use of AI systems. In a context of strong technological dependence on a few large companies and foreign powers, the question of decision-making autonomy and the protection of national interests has become central. Sovereignty issues also concern the security of sensitive data, the preservation of fundamental rights and the control of risks related to algorithmic biases or the opacity of automated systems. In this respect, law plays a decisive role. The adoption of the European regulation on artificial intelligence illustrates the European Union's intention to build its own normative governance framework and to assert a form of digital sovereignty. However, this ambition faces challenges arising from international competition and the rapid pace of technological developments.
 

The postdoctoral researcher will therefore be invited to question the relationship between public authority, technological innovation and the global legal order. Candidates are expected to meet the following profile requirements:
▸ Hold a PhD in law
▸ Possess strong expertise in European digital law (GDPR, AI Act, Chips Act, ...) and be able to work in comparative law
▸ Demonstrate a strong interest in multidisciplinary research and the ability to engage with mathematicians, computer scientists and economists
▸ Have a good command of English

4. Expected deliverables
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the scientific and institutional activities of the TRIAL Chair, including:
▸ Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals (law, law & digital technologies, interdisciplinary journals)
▸ Contributions to collective works and research reports produced by the TRIAL Chair
▸ Participation in conference, seminars and events organized by ANITI and its partners
▸ Contribution to exchanges with the Chair’s industrial and institutional partners
▸ Drafting notes and recommendations for European institutions or national regulators (CNIL, ACPR, AMF, …).

5. Application procedure
Applications are open until 15 July 2026. The application file must include:
▸ A detailed academic curriculum vitae (publications, communications, experience)
▸ The thesis manuscript accompanied by an extended summary (15-20 pages)
▸ Other representative publications or works where applicable (articles, book chapters)
▸ A structured three-page research project, related to the theme of AI sovereignty.
 

Applications should be sent to: idp@ut-capitole.fr mentioning in the subject line: "TRIAL post-doctoral application".
The selection process will consist of an application review, followed by an interview with the TRIAL Chair Team. The position is expected to begin in October 2026.

More information on the TRIAL Chair: https://aniti.univ-toulouse.fr/fr_fr/hybridizing-ai-and-large-scale-simulations-for-engineering-design-2/
Site ANITI : https://aniti.univ-toulouse.fr