DRA (ERC-Cog) is a five-year project studying the influence of automation on dispute resolution. As use of technology in the resolution of legal disputes expands in- and outside courts, human facilitation by judges and mediators is increasingly being substituted by automation. What is the impact of such change on existing concepts, theories, policies, and rules?
To explore these questions, this project will study four online resolution platforms that handle real cases and employ varying degrees of automation, each operating in a different country, as well as conduct lab-in-the-digital-field experiments. The project will employ a mixed-methods approach, and will draw on data from online dispute resolution case management systems, surveys, and interviews.
Applicants should have knowledge and experience in relevant fields of research (e.g., law, sociology, psychology, data science, anthropology), and the ability and desire to work as part of a scholarly community and a research team. Post-docs will be required to take residence in the vicinity of the University of Haifa for the duration of the fellowship or to split their residence between University of Haifa and University College London, and participate in workshops and seminars on a regular basis.
The project includes the following elements relevant for this call for applications:
- – Interviews with key stakeholders;
- – Surveys measuring user perceptions in real cases and in lab experiments;
- – Lab-in-the-Digital-Field experiments through online dispute resolution platforms employingautomation;
- – Processing and text analysis of online negotiation and mediation texts in real cases and takenfrom lab experiments;
- – Theoretical work revisiting key concepts and theories; and
- – Drafting rules and principles for the design and delivery of automated dispute resolution.Post-docs will be co-supervised by Prof. Orna Rabinovich-Einy, University of Haifa (PI), and either Prof. Avital Mentovich, University of Haifa or Dr. Burak Sonmez, University College London.Minimum Requirements
- PhD in Law/Psychology /Sociology/Data Science.
- Interest in inter-disciplinary research investigating societal impact of digital technologies.
- Having a strong background in quantitative social science and particularly survey design and analysis and/or computational skills (R or Python programming languages, data mining and data analysis, computational text analysis; RCTs.) and/or qualitative skills.
- Fluency in English.
- Ability to spend time in Israel, London and travel to the countries of fieldwork (the U.S.,the Netherlands, and France).Desirable Skills and Experience
- Some experience with big data and version control systems, in particular court cases,
- Knowledge of Dutch, and/or French,
- Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation etc.),
- Excellent organisational and administrative skills including a proven ability to work todeadlines,
- Candidates must demonstrate an awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion agenda.The working language at DRA is English.
Application Information for post-doctoral fellows:
Fellowship starting date: October 2023 (with some flexibility).
- ● Fellowship period is for one academic year, with possible extension to two years.
- ● Scholarship rate: Approx. €40,000 per year. Rates are determined according to Universityof Haifa regulations.
- Application Deadline: February 15, 2023.
- All applications should be submitted to the Project’s PI Prof. Orna Rabinovich Einy atornarab@gmail.com and to the project’s administrative director Shirley Raz-Raban erc.dra@gmail.com; and should include the following documents:
- Cover letter describing your interest in the project, relevant research experience, andstating the nature and duration of position you seek with us.
- Detailed CV (including a list of publications).
- An example of academic writing (article, research paper, or dissertation chapter).
- Three letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s qualifications forpostdoctoral research, respectively (in English or Hebrew). These may be sent directlyto ornarab@gmail.com, with the applicant’s name in the subject line.
- An authorization that the candidate is entitled to a PhD degree, noting when it wasawarded, or an official authorization that the thesis was forwarded to the referees.
Short-listed candidates will be interviewed remotely in March 2023.
For more information about this call for applications, you may contact: erc.dra@gmail.com.