Call for Applications - Doctoral Scholarships in Law and AI & Postdoctoral Fellowship in Law and Technology (2025)

The Cyberjustice Laboratory and the LexUM Chair in Legal Information offer an exceptional opportunity for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers with a passion for information technology, cyberjustice and artificial intelligence. The LexUM Chair in Legal Information and Cyberjustice Laboratory Doctoral Fellowship is designed to encourage two young researchers to embark on an exciting thesis exploring the theme of information technology, cyberjustice and artificial intelligence. x In addition, the LexUM Chair in Legal Information is offering a 12-month post-doctoral internship focusing on the social and legal issues surrounding legal information technology. This Chair aims to promote the development of legal information, access to it, access to law and justice, and issues related to the use of information technologies in the legal field. In collaboration with the Cyberjustice Laboratory, the Chair is leading the JusticeBot project, which explores the use of natural language processing and artificial intelligence to improve access to the law and online dispute resolution. The postdoctoral fellowship offers the opportunity to contribute to this exciting research project in artificial intelligence and law. x By joining the Université de Montréal's Faculty of Law, the young researcher will have access to the worldwide pole of excellence of the Institut de valorisation des données (IVADO), which brings together HEC Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal and the Université de Montréal, as well as to the pioneering work in deep learning carried out by the Université de Montréal's Institut des algorithmes d'apprentissage de Montréal (MILA). x Within the LexUM Chair in Legal Informatics and the Cyberjustice Laboratory, the recipient of the scholarship or postdoctoral fellowship will find a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment conducive to mentoring and cutting-edge research on legal issues related to information technology and artificial intelligence.

2 Doctoral Scholarships - AI and Law Fall (2025)

CONDITIONS

Annual value : 30 000$ (renewable once)

Important dates :

Application deadline : April 30th, 2025

Please note : We are accepting applications now and will notify successful candidates as they become available. Fellows must start their doctoral program no later than Autumn 2025 (August 2025). ! We therefore strongly encourage you to submit your scholarship application as soon as possible !

Payment method: he scholarship will be paid in two installments to the tuition fee service : the first installment will be paid during the term of admission and the second installment will be paid according to the specifics issued in the grant letter.

The LexUM Chair and the Cyberjustice Laboratory reserve the right not to grant a scholarship in 2025, depending on the applications received.

eligibility requirementS:

• • Admission to the doctoral program of Université de Montréal’s Law Faculty ;
  • Focus your thesis on information technology, cyberjustice and artificial intelligence;
  • Please note that the Lexum Chair's "Law and AI" scholarships are specifically intended for students not enrolled at the Université de Montréal. They aim to attract and support students interested in the intersections between law and artificial intelligence;
  • Be directed by one of the researchers of the Cyberjustice Laboratory.

AWARD criteria:

• • High level academic record;
  • Quality and seriousness of the candidate;
  • Demonstration of a strong interest in the issues related to the interaction between law and information and communication technologies.

Application :

• • A letter of intent written to the attention of the Committee of the present scholarship and adapted to the selection criteria of the scholarship;
  • A brief description of your research project;
  • A research and writing schedule;
  • A reference letter from a Professor;
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • Copies of your transcripts (unofficial copies accepted) of your undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, depending on your level of education;
  • Any other document or information you consider relevant (statement of financial need, letter of recommendation, etc.).

Contact : Alexis Leblanc-Roy – alexis.leblanc-roy@umontreal.ca

The LexUM Chair is committed to offering

• Up to $58,500 annually (amount subject to change – see collective agreement), paid as salary;
• Access to a workstation (if campus access conditions permit) and all resources offered by the University of Montreal (email address, access to libraries and computer resources);
• Administrative support for the organization of scientific activities

The intern agrees to:

• Participate in the JusticeBot research project;
• Participate and contribute to the Chair’s research work on a full time basis throughout the duration of the postdoctoral fellowship;
• Actively participate in the advancement of the JusticeBot project;
• Organize a scientific activity before the termination of the internship;
• Participate in all the working meeting of the JusticeBot project;
• Complete the admission and registration process with the University of Montreal’s Faculty of Graduate Studies (see information here (French only): https://esp.umontreal.ca/stagiaire-postdoctoral/)

Guide for Postdoctoral Fellows of the University of Montreal (French only): https://esp.umontreal.ca/fileadmin/esp/documents/PDF/GuideStagiairePostdoctoral_Fra.pdf Policy on the Status of Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Montreal (French only): https://esp.umontreal.ca/fileadmin/esp/documents/PDF/PolitiqueSPDmai2015.pdf

eligibility criteria

• Possessing a doctorate in research for less than 5 years at the start date of the internship;
• Possessing no other professional commitments for the duration of the internship;
• Possessing Canadian citizenship, permanent residence or a valid work permit at the start date of the intership.

required documents

• CV;
• Graduate transcripts;
• Proposed research project (maximum 3 pages)
• Doctoral degree or proof that the thesis has been defended or is about to be defended;
• 2 letter of recommendation.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Originality and potential contribution to the research project;
• Relevance of previous and current work;
• Links with the Chair’s scientific interests;
• General quality of the academic record.

For more information, please contact: Alexis Leblanc-Roy:  alexis.leblanc-roy@umontreal.ca

This content has been updated on 16 September 2025 at 16 h 04 min.