Call for Applications | Senior Research Associate – Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession | 1 Vacancy
September 16, 2026
National Law School of India University invites applications for one (1) position of Senior Research Associate to work for the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession (Centre). This is a full-time role on a contractual basis at the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru. It is initially for a period of one year, further extendable subject to satisfactory performance and the Centre’s requirements.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced legal researcher to help shape the strategic direction and research agenda of a newly established Centre situated at the heart of debates on equity, inclusion, and reform within the legal profession in India.
About the Centre
The Centre was established in 2026 to advance equity, inclusion, and justice within the legal profession in India. The Centre anchors rigorous empirical research into the profession’s structure, regulation, norms, and practices, and supports sustained policy engagement and interdisciplinary scholarship, working through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions to inform debates and reforms that strengthen the legal profession and its role in advancing justice and social development. The Centre began its research activities in the 2026–27 academic year with the launch of the Women’s Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) Initiative, a five-year effort to advance a more gender-inclusive litigation practice in India, and will expand its programmes and areas of intervention as it develops. The Centre is currently guided by a faculty Director and faculty Assistant Director.
About the Role
The Senior Research Associate will work closely with the Centre’s Executive Director and Faculty Director and Faculty Assistant Director to help build the Centre’s research programme and institutional strategy. Within a small, high-ownership team, the Senior Research Associate will play a leading role in contributing to the Centre’s research outputs.
The Senior Research Associate will report to the Executive Director and the Centre’s Faculty Director.
Key Responsibilities
Specifically, the Senior Research Associate will be responsible for:
- Assisting in the development of the Centre’s priority areas and research agenda in consultation with the Executive Director and Faculty Director, and Assistant Director;
- Conceptualising and leading research on the structure, regulation, norms, and practices of the legal profession in India and other jurisdictions;
- Ensuring that the research methodologies followed comply with ethical research practices;
- Conducting literature reviews, legal and policy analysis, and data collection to inform the Centre’s research;
- Publishing the Centre’s research findings in a range of formats, including academic articles, policy briefs, and public-facing commentary;
- Facilitating stakeholder meetings to gain insights and identify actionable reform measures;
- Supervising the work of the Research Associate and any interns supporting the Centre;
- Contributing to proposal development and fundraising efforts to sustain and grow the Centre;
- 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.
Qualifications
Essential
- Graduate degree in law;
- At least 5 years of post-qualification work experience.
Desirable
- Master’s degree in law.
- Prior experience in legal research or policy engagement.
- Demonstrated research ability in a research or academic setting, including at least one publication or equivalent output;
- Experience developing strategy documents, comparative research, or institutional research agendas;
- 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.
How to Apply
Please use the Google form provided and include the following documents:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Solo-authored writing sample – published/unpublished;
- A statement of purpose (500–800 words) explaining your interest in the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession;
- Contact details of two professional referees.
Application Deadline
The last date for submission of applications is 30 September 2026, 5 PM (IST).