Research Officer (Comparative Law)

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford's Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) invites applications for a Research Officer to work on an ERC-funded project, Choosing Islamic Conservatism: Muslim Youth in Europe and the UK and the Question of Social Cohesion. The role is based at ODID, Queen Elizabeth House, Oxford, and is offered full-time for 18 months.

The successful candidate will hold a Master’s degree in Comparative Law or a closely related discipline, possess excellent legal research and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Comparative Law, European Law, Public Law, or related discipline.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills.
• Ability to analyse complex legal and constitutional materials.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement the European Muslim Observatory research infrastructure.
• Join a research team and contribute to policy engagement and international collaboration.
• Analyse legal and constitutional materials relevant to Islam in Europe.

Skills

Legal research

Constitutional law

Analytical skills

Education

Master's degree in Comparative Law

Master's degree in European Law

Job description

Oxford Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

The Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) is seeking to recruit a Research Officer. Reporting to Professor Masooda Bano, the post-holder will join a research team funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant, Choosing Islamic Conservatism: Muslim Youth in Europe and the UK and the Question of Social Cohesion. Building on the earlier phases of the project, the team is now establishing the European Muslim Observatory: Comparative Research Infrastructure on Muslim Institutional Development in Europe. The Observatory aims to develop the first systematic comparative research infrastructure documenting the institutional development of Islam and Muslim communities across Europe. It will bring together legal, political, institutional and religious data to examine how Muslim institutions evolve in interaction with constitutional frameworks, state institutions and wider society, creating a lasting research resource for comparative scholarship on Islam in Europe.

The Observatory aims to establish a lasting comparative database that will support future academic research, policy engagement and international collaboration beyond the lifetime of the current ERC grant. Successful applicants will become part of the founding research team responsible for designing, developing and implementing this new research infrastructure.

This post is offered full-time for 18 months.

The successful candidate will have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Comparative Law, European Law, Public Law, or a closely related discipline. They will also possess excellent legal research and analytical skills. The ability to analyse complex legal and constitutional materials is essential to this role.

At ODID we embrace and cherish our differences, and endeavour to be considerate and welcoming of all. You are most welcome at ODID, without the need to hide any part of who you are. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these affect us, and those around us, personally and professionally. We hold an Athena Swan bronze award in recognition of our efforts to introduce organisational and cultural changes which promote equality, cherish diversity and create a better working environment for all. We are also taking active steps to promote race equality and reduce the risk of bias and discrimination. We work together to enrich, fortify and grow our community and dedicate our combined efforts to teaching and research to increase our impact and influence in development debates at the national and global level. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply for our vacancies and join us in pursuing our goals.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Wednesday, 11 November 2026. can be considered.