Senior Research Associate at the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession, NLSIU Bengaluru (1 Vacancy, Full-time Contractual, 1 Year)

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has invited applications for one position of Senior Research Associate at its Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession. This is a full-time, contractual role based at the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru. The appointment is initially for one year and may be extended subject to satisfactory performance and the Centre's requirements.

The University describes the post as an opportunity for an experienced legal researcher to help shape the strategic direction and research agenda of a newly established Centre working on equity, inclusion and reform within the legal profession in India.

The Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession was established in 2026 to advance equity, inclusion and justice within the legal profession in India. It carries out empirical research into the profession's structure, regulation, norms and practices, and supports policy engagement and interdisciplinary scholarship through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions.

The Centre began its research activities in the 2026-27 academic year with the Women's Inclusion and Leadership in Law (WILL) Initiative, a five-year effort to advance a more gender-inclusive litigation practice in India. It is guided by a faculty Director and a faculty Assistant Director.

The Senior Research Associate will work closely with the Centre's Executive Director, Faculty Director and Faculty Assistant Director to build the Centre's research programme and institutional strategy, and will play a leading role in its research outputs within a small team. The post reports to the Executive Director and the Faculty Director.

• Assisting in the development of the Centre's priority areas and research agenda, in consultation with the Executive Director, 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 research methodologies comply with ethical research practices.
• Conducting literature reviews, legal and policy analysis, and data collection.
• Publishing the Centre's findings as academic articles, policy briefs and public-facing commentary.
• Facilitating stakeholder meetings to identify actionable reform measures.
• Supervising the Research Associate and any interns supporting the Centre.
• Contributing to proposal development and fundraising.
• Submitting at least one peer-reviewed journal article each year and/or publishing two short-form pieces (blog articles, policy briefs, case briefs or commentaries) for the NLS Scholarship Repository, or opinion pieces in popular media, each year.

• A graduate degree in law.
• At least 5 years of post-qualification work experience.

• A 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, with strong analytical, synthesis, communication, technical and time-management skills.
• Self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to work independently.

The official notice does not state the salary or remuneration for this post. Applicants may write to the University's recruitment office for details.

Apply through the University's Google Form, which requires a Google sign-in. Keep the following ready to include:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A solo-authored writing sample (published or unpublished).
• A statement of purpose of 500-800 words explaining your interest in the Centre for the Study of the Legal Profession.
• Contact details of two professional referees.

The last date for applications is 30 September 2026, 5 PM (IST). Queries about the position may be sent to recruitment@nls.ac.in.