Research Associate in Law

Nottingham Trent University; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

30–35 days leave

Salary sacrifice retirement

Professional development

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Nottingham Trent University is seeking a Research Associate in Law to contribute to projects at Nottingham Law School. The role involves literature and policy material review, publication contributions, and qualitative research with data management and ethical compliance.

The position offers a full-time fixed-term contract for 12 months. Applications are welcomed from candidates who may not match every requirement, with interviews on 19th & 20th November 2026.

Responsibilities

• Search for, review and clearly summarise academic literature, legislation, case law and policy materials
• Contribute to research reports, journal articles and other publications
• Help design and undertake qualitative research, which may include interviews, focus groups or document analysis
• Organise, manage and analyse research data in accordance with ethical and data-protection requirements
• Undertake horizon-scanning to identify emerging legal, policy and research developments
• Support colleagues in preparing applications for external research funding
• Assist with research events and engagement activities; and
• Help communicate research findings to academic, professional and public audiences

Job description

Build a Rewarding Career.

Doing things differently.

Research Associate in Law

Salary- £29,352 - £33,739 per annum

Full time/Fixed for 12 months

About the role

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your research experience while contributing to projects that address important legal and social challenges?

As a Research Associate in Law, you will work with academic colleagues across Nottingham Law School. Your work will be varied. Depending on the projects to which you are assigned, you may:

• search for, review and clearly summarise academic literature, legislation, case law and policy materials;

• contribute to research reports, journal articles and other publications;

• help design and undertake qualitative research, which may include interviews, focus groups or document analysis;

• organise, manage and analyse research data in accordance with ethical and data-protection requirements;

• undertake horizon-scanning to identify emerging legal, policy and research developments;

• support colleagues in preparing applications for external research funding;

• assist with research events and engagement activities; and

• help communicate research findings to academic, professional and public audiences.

You will manage your own agreed tasks while working closely with project leads and other members of the research community based in our three research centres: the Centre for Law, Emerging Technologies and Business, the Centre for Rights and Justice, and the Centre for Legal Education. You may also collaborate with external partners and stakeholders from the public, private and third sectors.

This role offers you the opportunity to strengthen your research skills, broaden your knowledge across different areas of law and contribute to research with real-world relevance and impact. You will join a supportive and inclusive research environment in which collaboration, professional development and the exchange of ideas are encouraged.

The post is offered on a full-time basis, although consideration will also be given to fractional appointments and job-share arrangements For more details, please take a look at the role profile. We'll still consider applications even if you don't meet every single one of the requirements, so don't be put off if you don't match them perfectly.

Interview Date: 19th & 20th November 2026

About Us

Nottingham Law School (NLS) is one of the leading providers of academic and professional legal education in the country, with an established record of delivering innovative and transformational courses.

We are one of the largest law schools in the UK, offering a range of undergraduate degrees, academic and practitioner taught postgraduate courses and a strong research degrees programme. In addition, our students can gain practical experience volunteering at NLS Legal, our multi-award-winning-teaching law firm, the only on-campus law firm at a UK Law School.

Research is central to the School’s mission, enabling our work to make a positive difference to lives and society locally, nationally and globally. We foster a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable research environment, supported by a strong research infrastructure. Our approach is founded on the mutually enriching relationship between excellent academic research, professional practice and legal education.

Our researchers produce innovative, impactful and world-leading work, often engaging with cross-disciplinary developments and some of the most significant challenges facing society. These include the rights, safety and security of vulnerable groups; the accountability of public- and private-sector bodies; and the financial and environmental sustainability of the public, private and third sectors.

For any informal queries about the role or the team, please contact Professor Jonathan Doak (Associate Dean for Research) at [e-mail].

Join Us

• 30 - 35 days annual leave per year plus statutory bank holidays and 5 university closure days pro rata
• Hybrid working - we encourage and offer a mixture of office working and working from home. You're empowered to define how you work best for the benefits of your stakeholders.
• Flexibility - take ownership over how you get your work done. We're open to different working patterns and approaches.
• Salary Sacrifice Retirement Savings Plan with life assurance and income protection. Available to colleagues who choose to opt out of the contractual pension scheme. Minimum colleague contributions of 0% matched with minimum NTU contributions of 8%.
• Access to a wealth of formal and informal professional development opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career.
• Range of health and wellbeing services, including a Health Cash Plan, voluntary benefits, discounts, and savings for all colleagues.
• And a whole lot more…Find out more about the range of benefits we offer.

Safe and Inclusive

At NTU, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our students and colleagues. By championing positive wellbeing, we promote an environment where all can thrive and reach their full potential. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team.

Please note that unfortunately, this role has been assessed as ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system however, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. For more information visit the Government Skilled Worker visa support page. However, applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK, but who would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.

Please note that this role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and successful applicants will be asked to declare any unspent criminal convictions.