Research Assistant, Foundations of State Liability in Private Law

Internal Applicants Only

Deadline: 5 February 2025

Professor Sandy Steel is looking for a research assistant to help with the project 'Foundations of State Liability in Private Law'.

The project aims are (1) developing a (theoretical) account of the nature of (private) rights against public officials and public authorities, (2) understanding, at a theoretical level, the normative relationship between private rights and public law (3) examining the extent to which immunities from liability in the context of public authorities can be justified, (4) examining the extent to which public officials/authorities ought to be subject to more demanding duties/liabilities in private law than ordinary citizens.

Tasks for the Research Assistant:

• Writing support: e.g. finding legal resources, preparing a literature review, paper or report drafting assistance, etc.
• Editorial support: e.g. referencing, indexing, pagination, proof-reading, copy-editing.

Duration and hours

Working hours: a total of up to 35 hours across the duration of the project, to be agreed with the project supervisor.

Start date: 12 February 2025

Date by which the work must be completed: 10 April 2025

Reporting

The Research Assistant will report to Professor Sandy Steel.

Requirements

• A good understanding of the field of Tort  law is essential.
• A knowledge  of Contract, Unjust Enrichment, and/or Philosophy of Law is desirable.
• Experience of the legal systems in the following countries is desirable: any common law system.
• The following language skills are desirable: German.
• Experience of law referencing systems is desirable.

Your normal place of work will be the St Cross Building or the Manor Road Building, Manor Road.  However, provided you have the agreement of your PI/Supervisor, and a suitable space to work (including library access if required), it may be possible to undertake the work remotely.  

In all cases the work must be undertaken in the UK. 

Please note that you will be required to complete a Right to Work check before starting work. The Law Faculty HR Team will contact you directly to arrange for the appropriate check to take place. What is a right to work check? | Staff Immigration (ox.ac.uk)

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to current graduate students in the Faculties of Law and Philosophy.

Rate of Pay

The work will be paid at £18.43 per hour, which equates to University Grade 6, point 1, on the basis of completed and approved timesheets, which must be submitted to payroll@law.ox.ac.uk by the last Friday of each calendar month for payment on the last working day of the following month.

In addition, paid annual leave will be assumed to be taken in the month in which it was accrued.

Funding

This opportunity is funded by a Leverhulme Trust Major Research Fellowship (BAR01020).

How to Apply

A short CV and cover letter (including, if applicable, the name of your supervisor) should be sent by email to sandy.steel@law.ox.ac.uk by February 5th. Please explain how you meet the requirements for the role, and give details of your availability. Supervisors may be asked for a reference. 

Enquiries about the project are welcome, and may be addressed to Sandy Steel. General queries, e.g. about the appointment process, or eligibility, may be addressed to research@law.ox.ac.uk.