Associate Professor of Law

Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE)

Faculty of Law, Business, and Government

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria

Position Overview:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria invites applications for the position of Associate Professor of Law, with primary assignment to the Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE), fully taught in English.

The Faculty operates as a College model that integrates more than 8 undergraduate degree programs through a shared curriculum in the first year. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching "Foundations of Law," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across these programs, as well as advanced law courses within the PPLE degree.

This position offers the opportunity to shape how hundreds of students from diverse academic backgrounds first encounter legal thinking, helping them understand law and legal systems through the lens of human dignity, justice, and the common good. The role allows the candidate to participate in an innovative educational project that approaches law as more than a technical discipline, integrating it with philosophy, politics, economics, and other disciplines across the College.

Priority Research Areas:  

In alignment with the Faculty's research development strategy, we particularly welcome candidates with expertise in the following areas (in order of priority):

1. Civil Law - with focus on contract law, property law, family law, or tort law.
2. Commercial Law - with focus on company law, corporate governance, business transactions, or international commercial law.

Candidates with research interests in these areas who can connect them to foundational questions of justice, human dignity, and the common good are especially encouraged to apply. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Teach "Foundations of Law," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across the Faculty's 10+ degree programs
• Teach advanced law courses within the PPLE program and potentially other degree programs within the College
• Design and deliver course materials that make legal concepts and reasoning accessible and relevant to students from diverse academic backgrounds (law, business, government, philosophy, politics, economics, etc.)
• Develop pedagogical approaches that integrate legal analysis with ethical reflection, philosophical foundations, and the pursuit of justice and the common good
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue between law and other disciplines (philosophy, politics, economics, business) within the College model
• Engage in research activities within their area of expertise, particularly in areas related to legal philosophy, natural law, human rights, or other approaches that ground law in human dignity and the common good
• Supervise bachelor's theses and mentor students in their intellectual and personal development
• Participate in College activities, including seminars, lectures, and academic events that bring together students and faculty from different programs
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster the College's interdisciplinary mission
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the law curriculum across the College
• Represent the Faculty in academic forums and contribute to its visibility

Required Qualifications:

Academic Background:

• PhD in Law, Legal Philosophy, or related field (completed)
• A truly interdisciplinary profile demonstrated by: holding a degree (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral) in fields such as philosophy, political science, economics, theology, or other disciplines that complement law; or significant coursework and research engagement across multiple disciplines
• Evidence of interdisciplinary work through publications, research projects, teaching experiences, or collaborative initiatives that bridge law with other fields
• Ideally, at least 8-10 years of combined teaching and research experience post-PhD, with a publication record that meets the requirements for Associate Professor level (Profesor Titular) in the Spanish accreditation system (ANECA)
• A strong publication record with emphasis on quality and impact, including publications in peer-reviewed journals (indexed when possible), significant working papers, and book chapters
• Evidence of serious engagement with foundational questions in legal philosophy, jurisprudence, and/or approaches to law that emphasize justice, human dignity, and the common good

Research Focus and Values:

• A researcher who demonstrates enthusiasm for approaching law from perspectives grounded in natural law, legal philosophy, human rights, Catholic Social Teaching, or related frameworks that prioritize human dignity and the common good
• Research interests that go beyond purely technical or positivist legal analysis to engage with fundamental questions about justice, the nature of law, rights, and the relationship between law and morality
• Openness to interdisciplinary dialogue and willingness to integrate insights from philosophy, theology, political science, and economics into legal analysis
• A researcher who shares UFV's vision and values, particularly its commitment to truth, justice, the common good, and Christian humanism

Research Experience:

• Sustained and active research engagement through a substantial publication record, regular presentations at academic conferences, and participation in research projects
• Demonstrated commitment to a research agenda aligned with the mission of the university and the PPLE program
• Active participation in research networks, institutes, or collaborative projects (national or international)
• Evidence of research leadership through directing or co-directing research projects, organizing conferences or workshops, or serving in editorial roles

Supervision Experience:

• Extensive experience supervising or co-supervising bachelor's and master's theses
• Experience mentoring students and guiding their intellectual and personal formation
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering students' critical thinking and their understanding of law as a discipline oriented toward justice and serving society
• Track record of successful student mentorship and supervision

Teaching Experience:

• Substantial experience teaching law at the undergraduate level, particularly introductory or foundational courses (ideally, minimum 5 years)
• Demonstrated ability to make legal concepts and reasoning accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds, including those without prior legal training
• Experience teaching large, diverse cohorts in interdisciplinary or College model settings
• Proven commitment to active learning methodologies and student-centered pedagogy
• Experience with Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies is highly valued, as these form the bedrock of UFV's pedagogical model
• Demonstrated experience teaching law from a perspective that emphasizes ethical reflection, justice, and the common good
• Proven ability to design courses that serve both as foundational training for all students and as preparation for more advanced legal study
• Strong track record of connecting legal theory to real-world challenges, practical application, and contemporary social issues

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary academic environments, evidenced by collaborative research, interdisciplinary teaching, or participation in cross-disciplinary initiatives
• Evidence of successful interdisciplinary collaboration through co-authored publications, joint research projects, or teaching in interdisciplinary programs
• A well-established network of contacts in the field of specialty and active memberships in professional associations

Language Requirements:

• High proficiency in English (C2 level or equivalent), evidenced by publications and/or teaching experience in English-speaking contexts, as the PPLE program is fully taught in English
• Proficiency in Spanish is valued but not required; willingness to learn Spanish is expected

Commitment to UFV Mission:

• Commitment to the ideals, vision, and mission of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• Alignment with UFV's educational model based on Christian humanism, personalist anthropology, and the pursuit of truth
• Understanding of and commitment to the integration of faith and reason in higher education, particularly in the field of law
• Dedication to fostering justice, the common good, and human flourishing through legal education and research
• Willingness to contribute to the formation of students as persons, not merely as technical professionals

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching and its implications for legal thought and practice
• Experience with or knowledge of natural law theory, legal philosophy, jurisprudence, human rights theory, or constitutional theory
• Demonstrated experience implementing Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies in law courses
• Experience designing courses that connect legal theory with real-world problems, practical challenges, and contemporary social issues
• Experience with liberal arts education models or interdisciplinary teaching
• International academic experience or research stays at prestigious universities
• Additional European languages beyond English and Spanish
• Experience in organizing academic events, workshops, or seminars
• Familiarity with educational innovation projects
• Professional legal experience (practice, judicial clerkship, legal advisory roles) that complements academic work

Selection Process:

• Application Period: January 2026
• Interviews: February 2026
• Start Date: September 2026 (academic year 2026-2027)

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - including detailed publication list and research experience
2. Cover Letter - addressing alignment with UFV's mission and vision for the PPLE program, with particular emphasis on how you approach the teaching and study of law in light of justice and the common good
3. Teaching and Research Statement - explaining your pedagogical philosophy for teaching law, your research interests, and how both connect with the foundational questions and interdisciplinary nature of the PPLE program
4. Three academic references

When writing the Cover Letter, please review our mission and identity webpage at: https://www.ufv.es/welcome-to-ufv-madrid/about-ufv/

We expect applicants to explain how our values relate to their academic goals, with particular emphasis on how they understand law as a discipline that should serve human dignity, justice, and the common good, and how this understanding shapes their teaching and research. 

Compensation Package:

The gross annual salary will be between 54,000 and 70,000 Euros, commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate. It will include relocation costs (if applicable), life and health insurance, among other benefits.

Faculty Mission and Model:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government operates as a College that integrates more than 10 undergraduate degree programs through a shared interdisciplinary curriculum in the first year. This College model promotes dialogue between social sciences and humanities, allowing students from diverse programs—including law, business administration, international relations, government, philosophy, politics, and economics—to learn together and develop a broad understanding of fundamental questions before specializing in their chosen fields.

Our pedagogical model is built on the bedrock of Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning. We believe that students learn law best not only through theoretical frameworks but by engaging with real legal challenges, analyzing concrete cases, and developing practical solutions to contemporary problems. This approach requires faculty who can bridge the gap between legal theory and practice, and who can guide students in applying legal reasoning to address real-world issues affecting individuals, communities, and societies.

The "Foundations of Law" course is a cornerstone of this first-year College experience, providing all students with essential legal literacy and analytical tools while emphasizing the philosophical foundations of law and the ethical dimensions of legal reasoning. This course serves both students who will pursue law-related majors and those whose primary focus lies in other disciplines, making it essential that instruction be both rigorous and accessible, theoretically grounded and practically applicable.

The PPLE program embodies the College's interdisciplinary vision at its fullest, bringing together Philosophy, Politics, Law, and Economics to equip students with the analytical tools and ethical foundations necessary to address contemporary challenges and contribute to the common good. Faculty teaching in the PPLE program also contribute to the broader College mission by teaching foundational courses to students across all programs.

Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society. We are looking for legal scholars and educators who share this vision and are excited about teaching law in a way that places human dignity, justice, and the common good at the center, while serving a diverse student body with varying academic interests and career aspirations.

We encourage applicants who are committed to contributing to the intellectual tradition of Christian humanism in legal education and who are dedicated to making significant contributions to both the academic community and society at large.

Application Submission:

Applications should be submitted via e-mail (via the 'Apply' button above) to:

• Matthias Nebel (Head of the Doctorate Program Initiative) at (E:matthias.nebel@ufv.es)
• Sofia Borgia (Director of the LLB Program) at (E:s.borgia.prof@ufv.es)
• CC: Jorge Cerdio (Head of College and Undergraduate Studies) at (E:jorge.cerdio@ufv.es)
• CC:(E:desarrollodepersonas@ufv.es), indicating in the subject line the specific selection process to which you are applying, as well as your name and surname.  

For any inquiries regarding the position or application process, please contact Jorge Cerdio at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es

For more information, visit the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government websites:

• https://www.ufv.es/
• https://www.ufv.es/faculty-of-law-business-and-governance/ 

About Universidad Francisco de Vitoria:

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is committed to education that seeks truth, promotes human excellence, and serves the common good. Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society.

The Faculty's College model represents a unique opportunity to teach law to a broad and diverse student population in the foundational first year, while also contributing to specialized programs like the PPLE. This position allows the successful candidate to influence how law is understood and applied across multiple disciplines, always with a view toward justice, human dignity, and the common good.