As we move through an eventful 2025 full of developments in digital markets, we’re pleased to share some exciting news from the Shaping Competition in the Digital Age (SCiDA) project—ranging from open positions, a team promotion, the launch of the SCiDA Database and some latest publications. SCiDA is a joint UK-German research initiative, funded by the AHRC and DFG, dedicated to exploring competition in the digital age.
We are Hiring: Two Postdoctoral Fellowships at SCiDA
SCiDA is expanding! We are currently recruiting for two full-time postdoctoral research fellowships based at the University of Exeter. These positions will focus on comparative research on the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA), the UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA), and Sec. 19a of the German Competition Act (GWB).
If you are passionate about the new sui generis rules adopted for shaping competition in digital markets and you are an earlier career researcher with a PhD, working towards its completion or having commensurable experience (broadly defined) we could be delighted to consider your application. The post will include conducting comparative theoretical, empirical and doctrinal research of UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, EU Digital Markets Act and the amended German Competition Act. You will have the opportunity to study relevant legislation, jurisprudence, soft law, academic literature and policy discussions in order to produce high quality academic research and contribute to other activities within the SCiDA project.
Both fellowships will be based at the University of Exeter and the successful applicants will be required to move to the UK for the duration of the post. The first post is from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 (https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMT217/postdoctoral-research-fellow); the second is from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027 (https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMT212/postdoctoral-research-fellow). There may be an opportunity of extending the post for an additional short period.
If you are looking to work within a cross-jurisdictional team, passionate about digital markets issues and the role of competition law and regulation in challenging time, please get in touch confidentially with Prof. Oles Andriychuk for further information. The application deadline is 29 May 2025.
Team News: Jasper van den Boom Appointed Assistant Professor
We congratulate Jasper van den Boom on his promotion to Assistant Professor EU competition law at the Europa Institute at Leiden University! Jasper’s appointment reflects his outstanding contribution to research and teaching in digital regulation and competition law. Jasper’s work has been central to SCiDA, and we’re delighted he will remain affiliated with the project in his new role.
The SCiDA Database Now LIVE (Beta)
You have been missing a thorough archive of all the key documents relating to the DMA, Sec. 19a and the DMCCA, frequently updated and easy to navigate? In this case your prayers have been heard: We’ve launched the beta version of the SCiDA Database —a searchable, user-friendly repository of official documents on the DMA, DMCCA, and Sec. 19a GWB. From legislative materials to press releases, the database brings key materials into one place, with filtering tools to support comparative and doctrinal research. We’re actively seeking feedback—try it out and let us know how we can improve the experience. Happy (re)searching!
Recent Publications & Project Outputs
2025 has already delivered major developments in the regulation of digital markets. The SCiDA team has responded with timely commentary on the spectacular AI Summit in Paris, Apple’s appeal against its designation under Sec. 19a GWB, the second round of DMA compliance reports, and the first round of non-compliance decisions … and many more.
For those who are looking for (even) more substance and analysis, check out the Podszun DMA Article-by Article Commentary .The book provides an expert guide to each provision of the Digital Markets Act and its application. In case you are looking for a comparative synthesis of the letter of the law of the DMA, Sec. 19a and the DMCCA, you may find our paper on the Comparative Analysis of the DMA, Sec. 19a and the DMCCA useful for a structured legal comparison of these three pioneering frameworks. Jasper and Rupprecht have just published a paper in the European Competition Journal on some of the pressing issues of enforcment procedures: Is there room for settlements, commitments, discretion, informality on the side of the Commission? Read more here!
Stay tuned for more updates by the SCiDA team and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter here.
