1.   The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law is seeking a skilled and motivated Research Fellow to contribute to a strategic programme exploring the relationship between rule of law standards, European Union (EU) accession processes, and the evolving security challenges in Europe. 

2.   The role forms part of the Maurice Wohl Fellowship in European Law. It combines legal analysis of rule of law requirements in EU accession with research into key security issues, including democratic resilience, constitutional vulnerabilities, and the legal frameworks that underpin European security and defence cooperation.

3.   The position is grounded in legal scholarship and requires a good understanding of contemporary European security developments and of how these intersect with constitutional and institutional reform in EU candidate and neighbouring states.

4.   The project, funded by the Vivmar Foundation, involves research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and assistance with the organisation of events related to the areas outlined above.

5.   This is an opportunity to shape reform in timely and sensitive areas of law and policy. The Research Fellow will work closely with senior Bingham Centre staff, in particular the Maurice Wohl Senior Fellow in European Law, as well as with colleagues across BIICL.

6.   This is a fixed-term position, with the possibility of extension if additional funding becomes available.

7.   The role is offered at 0.6 FTE (3 days per week). Secondments may also be considered. There is some flexibility with regard to remote working. 

8.   The main responsibilities of the role include:

·         Conduct research on EU and Council of Europe rule of law standards both in general and in relation to their place within the accession process, including judicial independence, anti-corruption measures, constitutional checks and balances, and fundamental rights protection. 

·         Analyse Rule of Law conditionality and governance reforms in candidate states and assess their implications for wider European political and security stability.

·         Examine European security and defence challenges from a legal perspective, including democratic backsliding, foreign interference, hybrid threats, emergency powers, and the resilience of public institutions.

·         Monitor and analyse developments in EU and Council of Europe law and standards relevant to security and defence, including sanctions regimes, cross-border security cooperation, and the legal protections for democratic institutions.

·         Produce high-quality research papers, legal analyses, blogs, briefings and reports on issues relating to the rule of law and European security, and assist with public communication of these findings.

·         Contribute to academic publications and collaborative research within the BC, BIICL and with external partners. 

·         Contribute to the organisation of events, roundtables, training sessions and policy dialogues on rule of law, enlargement, and European security 

·         Present research at conferences, expert meetings, training sessions, and public events.

·         Engage with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, EU institutions, civil society organisations, legal practitioners, and security experts.

9.   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 understanding of the rule of law as a functional concept and of constitutional law.

·           Demonstrated interest in European security issues from a legal standpoint, such as institutional resilience, constitutional safeguards, emergency powers, and sanctions.

·           Excellent written and oral communication skills, including experience writing for policy, legal or academic audiences

·           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

·           Experience addressing European security and defence concerns in legal research or policy work.

·           Familiarity with legal frameworks relevant to EU enlargement, the Council of Europe, or European security cooperation.

10.  The Bingham Centre exists to advance the Rule of Law in the UK and worldwide. A part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), the Centre 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.  We work within legal communities and also with a wider range of institutions, civil society and public and youth audiences. In doing so, we seek to develop the necessary mechanisms, processes and practices to give practical effect to the rule of law.

12.  The Bingham Centre’s research, events and activities are documented on our website.

 How to apply

13.  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). 

14.  The application deadline is Thursday 8 January 2026 at 23.59.

15.  Applicants should send the following in pdf format to the following BreatheHR link: https://hr.breathehr.com/v/research-fellow-in-rule-of-law-44353. 

·           A completed BIICL Application Cover Form (attached) including the names and addresses of three referees (two of whom should be contactable prior to interview); 

·           A full curriculum vitae; 

·           A covering letter (maximum 2 pages) setting out your reasons for applying and how you consider that you meet the person specification for this post.

·           The BIICL Equality Monitoring Form (optional, attached).

16.  Interviews will be held in January.

17.  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.

18.  In order to be considered for this role, applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK or be in a position to secure the right to work in the UK by the date of commencement of employment.