Postdoctoral Fellowship in International Law 2026 – Centre for International Law, NUS (Fully Funded Research Opportunity in Singapore)

The Centre for International Law (CIL) at the National University of Singapore is inviting applications for Postdoctoral Fellowship positions commencing in September 2026. This is a research-focused opportunity designed for early-career scholars aiming to pursue academic careers in international law.

About the Centre for International Law (CIL)

The Centre for International Law is a university-level research centre dedicated to producing cutting-edge scholarship in international law. It plays a leading role in capacity-building across the Asia-Pacific region through:

• Academic workshops and conferences
• Professional training sessions
• Research-driven programmes engaging academics, government officials, and private sector professionals

CIL is also strongly oriented toward supporting academic development and policy-relevant research in international law.

Fellowship Overview

The Postdoctoral Fellowship is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on satisfactory performance during the first year.

• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: 1 year (renewable for a second year)
• Location: Bukit Timah Campus, Singapore
• Employee category: Research Staff
• Posted on: 19 January 2026

The programme is directed by Dr. Nilufer Oral (Director of CIL and member of the International Law Commission), together with Professor Joseph Weiler, visiting professor at NUS.

Research Areas

Applications are open to candidates working in all areas of international law. However, special consideration will be given to research projects focused on:

• The Asia-Pacific region
• Climate change law
• ASEAN law and policy

Fellows are encouraged to pursue research that is both academically rigorous and policy relevant.

Programme Objectives and Academic Environment

The fellowship is specifically designed to support scholars pursuing academic careers. Fellows will benefit from:

• Individual academic mentoring
• Workshops on research design and academic writing
• Training in publication strategies and teaching methods
• Guidance on supervision and methodological development

Fellows will also actively participate in the academic life of CIL, including presenting research, contributing to discussions, and engaging with visiting scholars.

Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• A PhD in international law obtained within the last two years
  OR
  Doctoral candidates who will complete their dissertation by 31 July 2026
• Demonstrated research excellence and originality in the doctoral dissertation
• Strong academic potential and a well-developed postdoctoral research proposal

Required Submission Materials:

• PhD dissertation (PDF)
• Postdoctoral research proposal
• One or two samples of published work

Letters of Recommendation:

• Three confidential reference letters are required
• Ideally, one should be from the PhD supervisor or examiner
• Referees must send letters directly to: huong.tam@nus.edu.sg
• References must assess:
  • Dissertation quality
  • Proposed research project
  • Academic potential

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted online via the NUS career portal.

Deadlines:

• Preferred deadline: 30 April 2026
• Final deadline: 15 May 2026

Required Documents:

• Personal statement (500–600 words) outlining motivation, career goals, and relevant background
• Full curriculum vitae (including education, employment history, publications, awards, and honours)
• PhD dissertation and doctoral certification
• Research proposal (maximum 3000 words), including:
  • Research questions
  • Methodology
  • Expected contribution to the field
  • Anticipated outputs (e.g., journal articles, book manuscript)
  • Executive summary (maximum 600 words)
• One or two writing samples
• Three academic references (submitted separately)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Programme Expectations

Selected Fellows are expected to:

• Carry out the proposed research project during the fellowship period
• Publish or secure acceptance for at least one or two peer-reviewed articles (or a book proposal with a reputable publisher)
• Participate actively in workshops and academic discussions
• Present research at conferences, including at NUS and international venues
• Be in residence at NUS for the duration of the appointment (with limited approved travel for research and fieldwork)

Standard NUS leave policies apply.

Additional Information

• Location: Bukit Timah Campus, Singapore
• Organization: Centre for International Law, NUS
• Job Category: Research Staff
• Reference ID: 31488
• Application status: Open until 15 May 2026
• Notification: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare all required documents and submit their application through the official NUS career portal before the deadline. Early submission is strongly encouraged due to preference for applications received by 30 April 2026.

APPLY HERE