Please note that you cannot currently save applications to complete later. We recommend starting only when ready to complete the application in full.
 

Overview 
1. The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, a constituent part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), is seeking a skilled and motivated Research Fellow to contribute to a strategic programme exploring the relationship between the rule of law and human rights standards and the evolving legal and institutional challenges in Europe.
 
2. The Research Fellow will contribute to projects relating to the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other regional European institutions, with particular attention to their development and use of legal frameworks and processes that affect the rule of law, human rights, and effective governance, including actions in support of democracy and regional security.
 
3. The position forms part of the Maurice Wohl Fellowship in European Law, funded by the Vivmar Foundation. The programme of work involves research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and assistance with organising events and training in the areas outlined above. The Research Fellow will work closely with other staff, in particular the Maurice Wohl Senior Fellow in European Law, as well as other senior colleagues at BIICL who lead projects on European issues.
 
4. Through this teamwork, the Research Fellow will be pursuing BIICL’s impact objectives, including the Bingham Centre’s objective to advance the rule of law (see further About BIICL and the Bingham Centre below). Among the areas we are targeting for impact include helping European institutions apply rule of law standards when they assess reforms by states seeking EU accession, and when they evaluate rule of law adherence by member states. Our senior staff have track records of doing so in relation to several European states, working both with European and national institutions.
 
5. The successful candidate will require a strong understanding of contemporary European legal and institutional developments, and expertise in one or more of the areas set out in the Person Specification will be desirable. 

The Role

This is a fixed-term position for 12 months from October 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, with the possibility of extension subject to organisational priorities and funding.

The role is offered at 0.6 FTE (3 days per week). Secondments may also be considered.
 
6. The main responsibilities of the role include:
Legal and policy research:
 • Undertake high quality legal and policy research on topics related to the rule of law, human rights and European institutions.
 • Monitor and analyse developments within the European Union, the Council of Europe, and other relevant regional organisations.
 • Contribute to comparative and interdisciplinary research projects addressing contemporary legal and governance challenges in Europe.
• Support the development of new research projects and funding proposals within the European law cluster co-ordinated by the Maurice Wohl Senior Fellow in European Law.
Research outputs and communication:
 • Produce high-quality research papers, legal analyses, blog posts, briefings and consultation reports,
• Contribute to academic publications and collaborative research reports within BIICL and with external partners.
 • Assist with the public communication of these outputs to policymakers, practitioners, academics, and wider audiences. Engagement, events and training
 • Engage with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, EU institutions, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, and security experts. This engagement will combine online and in-person interactions and includes, but is not limited to, events and training.
 • Contribute, through this engagement, to the development and expansion of BIICL’s European law network and partnerships.
 • Assist with the organisation of events, including public events and private events such as roundtables and policy dialogues.
 • Contribute to the preparation and delivery of training on European law topics for the BIICL Training programme.

Person Specification
7. The successful applicant will demonstrate the following experience, skills and attributes:
Essential
• A degree in law
• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal and policy research independently
• Strong knowledge of European law and institutions, including the European Union and/or the Council of Europe, and good understanding of the rule of law as a practical concept
 • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience writing for policy, legal or academic audiences
 • Ability to analyse complex legal and institutional developments and communicate findings clearly
• Ability to engage sensitively with stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to work collaboratively within a research team, and ability to meet deadlines

Desirable
• A postgraduate qualification in law, or equivalent research experience
 • Expertise in one or more specific areas relevant to this post: EU law, EU accession and neighbourhood policy, European human rights law, constitutional and administrative law, trade and sustainability, regional security, access to justice, judicial reform, or other aspects of European governance. Familiarity with corresponding areas of UK law and governance, and with UK practice as an actor within Europe, will be an advantage.
• Experience working with European institutions, international organisations, governments, courts, or civil society organisations
 • Experience organising events, stakeholder engagement activities, training programmes or research projects
• Experience contributing to funding applications and project development

About BIICL and the Bingham Centre
8. The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) combines a world-class, global applied research institute mind-set with a charitable ethos to serve and advance the disciplines of international law, comparative law, and the rule of law.
 
9. Our research has real-world impact, influencing governments and international organisations, legislators, policy makers, businesses and others; it is augmented by our discussion sessions, training programmes, conferences, specialist forums, and our prestigious academic journal, the International and Comparative Law Quarterly.
 
10. The Bingham Centre is one of BIICL’s three constituent centres. It was established in 2010 to take forward the life’s work of Tom Bingham, the former Senior Law Lord and author of the most celebrated English-language account of the meaning of the Rule of Law.
 
11. Our objective as a centre is to advance the rule of law in the UK and worldwide. We work within legal communities and also with a wider range of institutions, civil society and public and youth audiences. In doing so, we aim to contribute to developing the necessary mechanisms, processes and practices to give practical effect to the rule of law.
 
Please note that applications cannot currently be saved and completed later. We recommend starting only when ready to complete the application in full.

How to apply
12. The application deadline is Sunday, 20 September at 23.59 BST.

13. Interviews are expected to take place in late September or early October 2026. We are looking to appoint as soon as possible.

14. To apply, please submit the following via our recruitment portal [https://hr.breathehr.com/v/research-fellow-in-european-law-and-48528]: 
a. A full curriculum vitae (CV); 
b. A covering letter (maximum 2 pages) setting out your reasons for applying and how you meet the criteria for the post; 
c. The BIICL Equality Monitoring Form (optional).

15. Informal enquiries about this post may be addressed to Dr Jan van Zyl Smit, Director, Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (j.vanzylsmit@binghamcentre.biicl.org) or Dr Julinda Beqiraj, Maurice Wohl Senior Fellow in European Law (j.beqiraj@biicl.org). 

16. BIICL and the Bingham Centre welcome applications regardless of race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We particularly encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in law and politics. 

17. Applicants are encouraged to learn more about BIICL, its members of staff and activities at http://www.biicl.org 

18. We regret that we are unable to acknowledge receipt of applications personally. If you do not hear from us regarding interviews within four weeks of the closing date, your application has been unsuccessful. 

19. In order to be considered for this role, all applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK or will have secured the right to work in the UK by the date of commencement of employment. BIICL cannot offer sponsorship for this role.