Postdoc Research Lev 1, UCD Law, Temp up to 31st Dec 2028

University College Dublin; Ireland; On-site; EUR 47,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University College Dublin invites applications for a temporary Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 in the UCD School of Law. The role focuses on the RIGHTS-TO-UNITE ERC Advanced Grant project, with a start date of 18 January 2027.

Part-time arrangements may be considered, and the team requires expertise in European studies and sociological/legal analysis. The successful candidate will contribute to qualitative research, engage in cross-country comparison, and work within an international

Qualifications

• Experience in qualitative comparative research, such as focus groups and expert interviews.
• Strong profile in European Studies (sociology, legal studies, political science, industrial relations) is expected.
• Academic fluency in English and knowledge of European integration theories are essential.

Skills

Qualitative research

Focus groups

Expert interviews

Academic writing

Education

PhD

Job description

Organisation/Company University College Dublin Research Field Juridical sciences » European law Juridical sciences » Social law Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 11 Nov 2026 - 12:04 (UTC) Country Ireland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Applications are invited for a temporary post of a Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 within UCD School of Law.

UCD seeks to appoint a Post-doctoral Researcher (PDR) for RIGHTS-TO-UNITE, a research project funded by an ERC Advanced Grant led by Prof Dagmar Schiek. The position is due to start on 18 January 2027. Although this is a full-time position, applications for part-time arrangements are also welcome, and we will endeavour to accommodate such requests.

The RIGHTS-TO-UNITE Project aims to generate a new socio-legal theory of European integration based on citizens' experience of European integration through rights, and to explore its viability through qualitative research using liberal/economic, social and digital rights as fields of research. Its multi-level comparison encompasses smaller states in the EU and its neighbourhood, more specifically four EU countries (Ireland, Czech Republic, Greece and Sweden) and four neighbourhood states (Northern Ireland, Norway, North Macedonia and Georgia). The qualitative comparison uses expert interviews to identify barriers and enablers of using EU-derived rights as well as the experts' assessment of how practical the intended effects may be. In a second step, lay-persons perception of and experience with EU-derived rights are explored by using visualised scenarios potentially relevant for the usage of economic/liberal, social and/or digital rights derived from EU Treaties or Association Agreements. Focus groups will be conducted as citizens' meetings mimicking citizens' assemblies. The PDR joins the project in its fourth year, complementing the team consisting of the Principal Investigator, a post-doctoral researcher, three research associates, three PhD researchers and a research project manager (part-time).

For this Post-doctoral Researcher position, we are looking for a highly motivated and qualified researcher with a strong profile in European Studies (sociology, legal studies, political science, industrial relations or another relevant field). The candidate must have experience in qualitative comparative research, such as focus groups and expert interviews, and an understanding of socio-legal comparison. You will be academically fluent in English, and familiar with the most important theories of European integration, including those focusing on integration through law and the role of rights. Excellent academic communication skills are essential. While the working language of the project is English, additional knowledge of any of the languages of the target countries of our project will be an advantage. As part of an international team, you will collaborate with the advisory board (one member for each comparative countries) and external service providers.

Salary Range: €47,273 - €47,879 Per Annum.
Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 12:00 noon (local Irish time) on 09/11/2026.
The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.