Research Officer (Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice) - 5 posts

Fixed-term until 31 July 2026

About the Blavatnik School of Government

Our vision is of a world better led, a world better served and a world better governed. We are a global school committed to improving the quality of government and public policymaking worldwide, through three routes: teaching current and future leaders; generating research with impact; and engaging with governments and practitioners.

What we offer

The School is a collaborative, friendly, and dynamic department based in an award-winning building in Oxford. We host regular events and talks with well-known guest speakers – all of which are open to staff. On the social side, we have regular coffee/cake mornings for staff, a family-friendly Halloween event, and Christmas and summer parties.

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days’ annual leave
• Family leave schemes and a comprehensive range of childcare services
• Cycle loan scheme and discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs
• Opportunities for remote working.

More information about working at the School can be found on our jobs page.

About the Role

The Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, based at the Blavatnik School of Government, is looking to recruit five Research Officers.

Reporting to the Director of the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice, you will contribute to research and projects conducted by the Institute.

Directed by Professor Philippa Webb, the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice explores how to harness technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to enhance access to justice, accountability and the advancement of international law.

You will support and carry out research at the intersection of law and AI, with a focus on human rights. The post-holders will contribute to compilations of state practice, the mapping of activities on technology and justice, and research on specific rights and potential use cases.  The post-holders will contribute to the drafting of research papers and briefings. Importantly, the post-holders will apply their skills in the creation of resources to enhance access to justice such as a repository of human rights jurisprudence and tools to promote fair trials.

These posts are fixed term until 31 July 2026 and offered on a variable hours basis (up to 20 hours per week, although hours are likely to vary from week to week).

About You

You must hold a relevant degree with specialist knowledge of international law, digital law, public policy and/or AI and technology, and be working towards a specialist Master’s degree or PhD/DPhil in public international law and/or technology or equivalent specialist experience at the intersection of human rights and AI. You will also have relevant experience of the use and evaluation of new technologies in a legal context, and previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations.

The ability to manage your own academic research and associated activities, and excellence communication skills are also essential.  

Application Process

Please upload a supporting statement that outlines how you meet the selection criteria in your own words, along with your CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The closing date for applications is at 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 5 December 2025.

Interviews will take place during week commencing 8 December 2025 and will be online.

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