Job Description

The Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore is a university-level research centre, with the mission of producing cutting edge research on international law. It is also at the forefront of capacity-building initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region through workshops, conferences, trainings and academic programmes reaching a diverse audience of government and private sector professionals as well as academics. 

CIL is inviting applications for a Research Fellow position set to begin in August or September 2025. Initial appointments will be for one (1) year, with the potential for a second-year extension contingent upon satisfactory progress during the first year.

Applications are open to prospective fellows with research projects in all areas of International Law as well as other areas of public law with direct links to international law. We particularly seek candidates focusing on the Asia-Pacific region, technology and the digital economy, sustainable development, cybersecurity, international economic law, and international dispute resolution.

We promote interdisciplinary approaches, encompassing areas such as (1) human rights and technology, artificial intelligence, global health, international humanitarian law, and environmental issues; (2) trade and climate change or technology; (3) sustainable development and economic law; and (4) cybersecurity, international humanitarian law, and international criminal law.

Preference will be accorded to candidates aspiring to pursue an academic career, as the program is specifically designed to support such aspirations. Alongside specialized mentoring, the Research Fellow will have opportunities to participate in workshops which involves all aspects of academic life, including research design, writing, teaching and examination, publication strategies, supervision, and enhancing methodological skills. 

Qualifications

The selection committee will consider the following criteria in making appointments:

1. Applicants must possess a doctoral degree in international law obtained within the last 4 years. 
2. The primary selection criterion will be the applicant's potential for exellence in research and the quality and orignality of his /her proposed project of research. The quality of the doctoral dissertation as well as any other publications will be the primary evidence of such potential. A PDF file of the PhD dissertation must be appended to the application as well as one or two samples of published work. 
3. Three letters of reference are required, one of which, ideally, would be from the PhD Supervisor and/or a member of the Examining Committee. The reference letters should be sent confidentially to Ms Huong Tam (huong.tam@nus.edu.sg) by the deadline for applications and must in particular address to the scholarly contribution of the dissertation and an appraisal of the proposed research project as well as the the applicant's potential to conduct high -quality research.

Benefits

The Research Fellow will be offered a competitive salary package, along with travel assistance and housing benefits for those who qualify. Additionally, a minimum budget of S$5,000 will be designated to facilitate participation in regional and international conferences, with the possibility of securing further funds upon the CIL Director's approval. The Research Fellow will also have access to shared office space within the CIL.

Programme Requirements

1. The Research Fellow will develop and carry out the research project as outlined in the application. He or she will be expected to take an active part in the post-doctoral academic community: workshops, presentations, commenting on colleagues work and the like.
2. The expectation is that the Research Fellow will publish one or two publications in well-recognised peer-reviewed outlets. 
3. The Research Fellow will be encouraged to present his or her research and give papers at academic conferences at NUS and elsewhere.
4. Subject to the standard NUS terms of annual leave, the Research Fellow will be expected to be in residence throughout the term of their appointment. In addition to annual leave, the Research Fellow may apply for leave to undertake research and fieldwork overseas, subject to the approval of the CIL Director.

Application Procedure

Application should be submitted online with the following documents via the NUS career portal :

1. A copy of the doctoral dissertation as well as Doctoral certification
2. Personal Statement (500-600 words): to outline the reasons for seeking the Fellowship, the career goals of the applicant and any other relevant data which the applicant thinks may be relevant in considering the application.
3. Full Curriculum Vitae containing complete and detailed information on academic institutions, honours, awards, publications and professional experience (current and previous, including dates of employment and job descriptions).
4. A detailed Research Proposal (3000 words max.) outlining, inter alia, the research question(s), the projected methodology of answering such, and the projected contribution to the field and the expected deliverables (e.g. book, articles).The title of the proposal should clearly indicate the nature of the research project and the proposal should include an executive summary of the proposal of no more than 600 words. 
5. Letters of Recommendation: The application must be supported by three written references from academic referees. Referees should be requested to send their confidential reference directly to Ms Huong Tam. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.