Research Fellow in Law

Job Location:  Milton Keynes

Weekly Working Hours:  37

Job Description: 

About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated Research Fellow to work in the Centre for Protecting Women Online funded by Research England. The successful candidate will work closely with Professor Olga Jurasz, Director of the Centre for Protecting Women Online, who is based in the Law School and who leads the Centre’s cross-disciplinary research team. We are looking for a Research Fellow who would seek to play an active part in building a strong, open and innovative research culture in the Centre. The Research Fellow will use their research knowledge, skills and experience to contribute to the design and delivery of an ambitious research programme within the Law & Policy work stream. This includes (but is not limited to) initiating and leading on research projects, applying for external research funding, supervising PhD students, producing high quality outputs, working collaboratively with non-academic partners and stakeholders. 

This post is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes campus. Whilst you will be able to work remotely for part of the time, on-site presence is expected 2 days per week. This can vary depending on business needs.

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Key Responsibilities

The person appointed will be expected to contribute to research and administration within the Centre for Protecting Women Online. This following is not intended as a comprehensive list of duties expected of the post holder or a restrictive definition of the post but is rather a guide. 

• Co-lead the Law & Policy stream at the Centre for Protecting Women Online.
• Initiate and build collaborations with external partners and researchers.
• Liaise and work collaboratively with external partners and researchers.
• Initiate and lead on research projects from start to completion.
• Lead on applications for external research funding relevant to the Law & Policy stream.
• Contribute to the day-to-day operation of the Law & Policy stream within the Centre, under the direction of the Centre’s Director.
• Take a lead role in dissemination of research carried out within the Law & Policy stream of the Centre (including writing academic and non-academic publications; presentation of research findings at conferences and events; communicating research to non-academic and lay audiences via media).
• Lead on design and delivery of knowledge exchange and impact activities.
• Working with the Centre’s Director and Work Stream lead to meet the strategic objectives set out in the Centre’s plan.
• Represent the Centre at external and international events.
• Supervise PhD students.

Skills and Experience

Essential Requirements

• A PhD in law or related discipline in a subject relevant to the Centre’s work within the Law & Policy stream.
• Knowledge and understanding of the current law and policy landscape concerning women’s online safety. 
• Substantial relevant experience of conducting and coordinating research in collaboration with non-academic partners and/ or working with non-academic partners.
• Understanding of research funding landscape and a strong track record of applying for external research funding.
• Experience of design and successful delivery of knowledge exchange and impact activities.
• Ability to build and maintain professional contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
• A strong publication record reflective of career stage that is REF returnable and relevant to the work of the Law & Policy stream.

For complete details please see the full job description here: Job Description

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

CV 

A personal statement of up to 1000 words. You should set out in your statement why you are interested in the role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job description.

Please Note: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

Interviews are likely to be held on 4th and 5th September 2025.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Closing Date: 17 August 2025