Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Human Rights Law

Lawyers Weekly; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 weeks parental leave (approx.)

Flexible working arrangements

Career progression opportunities

Access to internal vacancies

Job summary

The University of Queensland invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Human Rights Law to contribute to the Benchmarking Human Rights Agencies project. You will conduct high‑quality legal and interdisciplinary research on how agencies navigate rights claims and translate findings into practical benchmarks and implementation guidance.

You will help coordinate an international network of researchers, supervise staff and students where appropriate, engage with agencies and

Qualifications

• Completion, or near completion, of a PhD in law or closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated research knowledge in human rights law, constitutional law or related fields.
• Emerging research profile with publications or conference presentations.
• Experience with data management and research methods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high‑quality legal and interdisciplinary research into human rights agencies.
• Coordinate an international network of researchers and oversee project milestones.
• Supervise research assistants and contribute to supervision of students when appropriate.
• Engage with human rights agencies, government bodies and stakeholders.

Skills

Strong written

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Project management

Education

PhD in law

LLB degree

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Human Rights Law

Join a visionary international research project examining how human rights agencies navigate some of the most consequential questions facing contemporary societies. Working within a collaborative and inclusive team of academic experts, research assistants and project leaders, you will contribute to the Benchmarking Human Rights Agencies: How Should They Balance Freedom Rights with Equality Rights? project. Your work will explore how agencies at international, regional, national and subnational levels manage tensions between freedom of speech, association and religion, and the rights to equality and non-discrimination. Alongside building your emerging research profile, you will help coordinate the project, engage with agencies and stakeholders, and translate research into practical benchmarks and implementation guidance.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Research: Conduct high-quality legal and interdisciplinary research into the frameworks, procedures and methodologies used by human rights agencies to address competing rights claims, producing sole-authored and collaborative publications for reputable outlets.
• Project leadership and coordination: Support the leadership team to coordinate an international network of researchers, oversee project activities and milestones, and help deliver conferences, workshops, publications and other research outputs.
• Supervision and Researcher Development: Support and supervise research assistants and, where appropriate, contribute to the supervision or associate supervision of undergraduate and higher degree research students.
• Citizenship and Service: Build purposeful relationships with human rights agencies, government, professional bodies and other stakeholders, while contributing collaboratively to the School and demonstrating behaviours aligned with UQ values.

About You

• Completion, or near completion, of a PhD in law or a closely related discipline is preferred. Outstanding recent LLB graduates with strong research skills will also be positively considered.
• Demonstrated research knowledge in one or more relevant areas, including human rights law, constitutional law, comparative law, competing rights, procedural fairness, statutory bodies or independent commissions.
• An emerging research profile, demonstrated through publications in reputable refereed journals, conference presentations or other relevant scholarly outputs is desirable.
• Experience in quantitative or qualitative data management and analysis, or the demonstrated capacity to learn appropriate data management systems and research methods.
• The capacity to develop project management and leadership skills while supporting milestones, publications, events and the timely delivery of project outcomes.
• Strong written, interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across a diverse international research team.
• The ability to engage professionally and constructively with human rights agencies, researchers, government representatives and other stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to internal service, external engagement or collaborative activities within a university or comparable research environment is desirable.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world, and within an environment where interdisciplinary collaborations are encouraged. As part of our commitment to excellence in research and professional practice in academic contexts, we are proud to provide our staff with access to world‑class facilities and equipment, grant writing support, greater research funding opportunities, and other forms of staff support and development.

The greater benefits of joining the UQ community are broad: from being part of a Group of Eight university, to recognition of prior service with other Australian universities, up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading, flexible working arrangements, access to exclusive internal‑only vacancies, and genuine career progression opportunities via the academic promotions process.

Interested?

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Professor Nicholas Aroney at ********@uq.edu.au.

Other Information

Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia and qualifications. This may also include checks relating to gender‑based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements.

You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer‑sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

We’re dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing ******@uq.edu.au or calling [phone].

Applications close Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69658).