Research Associate in International Law

The role

We invite applications from researchers with academic backgrounds in international law for a Research Associate position at the University of Bristol Law School.

The successful applicant will work on the project, The Role of International Law in Regulating Armed Conflict, which examines the past, present and future role of international law in regulating armed conflict. You will work with the project lead, Professor Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, across several workstreams that examine the substantive law applicable in armed conflict and its enforcement. These include a book project for OUP’s Elements of International Law series on the relationship between international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and a subsequent project that moves from substantive rules to their enforcement, asking what role different international courts/tribunals play in relation to armed conflict. The project is funded by a 2023 Philip Leverhulme Prize.

You will be based at the Centre for International Law at the University of Bristol Law School, a leading UK law school with an international reputation for outstanding teaching and research. Ranked 3rd in the Times Higher Education analysis of legal research in REF2021, the law school is home to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

The post advertised is for two years at 0.6FTE, though requests for a different length of contract (with corresponding alteration to the FTE) may be considered.

The successful applicant will ideally be able to take up the position in January 2025

You will work closely with the project lead to conduct independent research for the different workstreams. This will include developing databases of primary and secondary sources, supporting the production and dissemination of project outputs, and assisting with the organisation of workshops/meetings comprising different academic and non-academic stakeholders. The role is intended to provide a major career development opportunity for an early career researcher, and there will be opportunities to co-author outputs as a named author with the project lead.

You should have a strong academic background, with specialist knowledge of international law (and, ideally, international humanitarian law in particular). The role would especially suit someone currently working towards or having recently completed a PhD in international law. You should be looking to build your own research profile and develop networks across academia and the policy world. You should also have excellent analytical, communication and IT skills. You will also be expected to organise your own time and work, to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.