Postdoctoral Researcher - Modern Slavery and Human Rights, Policy & Evidence Centre (PEC), Bonavero Institute of Human Rights

The Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, in partnership with the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy & Evidence Centre (PEC), is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher in Modern Slavery and Human Rights. The Bonavero Institute of Human Rights is one of a group of three research centres in the UK that are partners (alongside the Universities of Liverpool and Hull) in the PEC, led by the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford.   Each partner in the collaborative research partnership  leads a programme of work as part of the PEC’s research agenda and with the support and guidance of the PEC’s Director of Research and Director of Policy Impact. The partner-led programmes of work are key to helping the PEC achieve its mission of policy impact and will deliver research outputs and other activities that constitute an important part of the PEC’s strategy.

Under the supervision of the project Co-Investigator based at the Bonavero Institute (one of the research partners) the Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) Postdoctoral Researcher will help deliver an agreed plan of work in relation to the project’s programme of work with other team members from within each partner and it will provide an opportunity for an exceptional candidate to conduct his or her own research in the field of modern slavery and human rights.  The successful candidate will be a member of the Bonavero Institute and will be expected to input into some of the programmes and activities of the Institute. They will form part of a small but dynamic community of scholars with a strong commitment to research focussing on human rights.

The successful candidate should hold a completed doctorate in Law (or evidence of imminent completion) specialising in an aspect of Human Rights Law relevant for the work strand: “Labour Exploitation: New Frontiers in International and the UK Law”; demonstrable interest in and familiarity with, scholarly literature and debates within the field of modern slavery relevant to the work programme; evidence of outstanding research skills and the ability to contribute, under the direction of the Co-I, to the design, analysis and writing of papers, scholarly articles and monographs; strong record of published scholarship commensurate to the career stage and have excellent organisational, verbal and written communication skills. It would be desirable for the candidate to have knowledge of the modern slavery and human rights policy context in the UK and experience of producing policy-facing research outputs  and experience and skills in planning and managing research projects.

The role is full time and fixed term until 31 March 2027.  The role holder will be based at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, Faculty of Law, Mansfield College, OX1 3TF

The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 22 April 2025.  Interviews will be held on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights.

You will be required to upload a CV and supporting statement as part of your online application. Applications for this vacancy are to be made online via the apply button above.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit by email 1 item of written work, published or unpublished, and will be asked to arrange for two references to be submitted before the interviews take place.

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