National Law School of India University invites applications for two (2) positions of Senior Research Associates to work for the Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) initiative. This is a full-time role on contractual basis at the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru. It is initially for a period of one year further extendable for the project duration subject to satisfactory performance.

This exciting role will enable experienced researchers to deepen their understanding of the legal system – its institutional framework, functioning, and the role and impact of gender dynamics – and demonstrate thought leadership in promoting transformative reforms required to build a more gender-equitable and gender-responsive legal practice.

A. About the Initiative

The WILL Initiative is housed within the newly constituted Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession at NLS supported by a dedicated team of full-time staff members. The initiative focuses on empowering women (understood inclusively) to enter, sustain, and progress to leadership in litigation through a) evidence-based research on the status of, and challenges faced by, women litigators at all levels; b) initiatives aimed at advancing inclusive work environments especially at early career stages; c) professional development programs for strengthening legal knowledge and professional skills; and d) convening at national and regional levels to facilitate information exchange, networking and solidarity among women lawyers.

B. About the Role

The Senior Research Associates will work closely with the Project Director and the Centre’s faculty director to implement the WILL initiative.

Key Responsibilities

Specifically, the Senior Research Associates will be responsible for:

• Conceptualising and leading qualitative and quantitative research studies on women litigating lawyers, their experiences and challenges, and institutional reforms required to enable their equitable growth in the profession;
• Ensuring that the research methodologies followed comply with ethical research practices;
• Conducting comprehensive literature review, legal and policy analysis, and data collection;
• Facilitating stakeholder meetings to gain insights and identify actionable reform measures;
• Designing suitable resource, reading, and outreach material;
• Implementing a dissemination strategy for the resource material, ensuring its wide dissemination;
• Strengthening and expanding forums for women lawyers to convene based on predetermined criteria of the project;
• Supervising the work of research associates and interns working on the project;
• Submitting at least 1 peer-reviewed journal article each year and/or publish 2 short form pieces, such as blog articles, policy briefs, case briefs, and/or commentaries for the NLS Scholarship Repository and/or opinion pieces or commentaries in popular media each year;
• Contributing to proposal development, fundraising efforts and strategic research planning.

Reporting

The Senior Research Associate will report to the Project Director and the Centre’s Faculty Director.

C. Qualifications

Essential

• Graduate degree in law;
• At least 5 years of relevant post-qualification work experience in legal research, policy engagement and/or action-based research projects.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in law, social sciences and/or allied disciplines;
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the structure and functioning of legal profession in India;
• Proven research activity, including at least one publication or equivalent output;
• Excellent writing and editing skills across academic, policy, and public-facing formats. Strong analytical, collation/synthesis, communication (written and oral), technical, and time-management skills;
• Self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to work independently.

D. How to apply

Please use the Google form provided and include the following documents:

• An up-to-date CV
• Solo authored writing sample – published/unpublished
• A statement of purpose (500-800 words) explaining your interest in the WILL Initiative
• Contact details and designation of two professional references

For any queries, please write to

Deadline

The last date for submission of applications is 14 July 2026 at 5 PM IST.