Research Assistant, Centre for International Law

About the Position:

CIL is seeking applications for a Research Assistant for a period of one year (with the option to renew for an additional year) from candidates with a Bachelors in Law (LLB) and a demonstrable interest in oceans law and policy. The position is expected to start in July 2023 but is flexible. 

The Research Assistant Programme at CIL is funded by the Maritime Port Authority (MPA)-CIL Oceans Governance Research Programme and provides an exciting opportunity to engage with other oceans law and policy scholars and experts in the CIL Oceans Law and Policy Team in a dynamic and supportive research environment. The Research Assistant will do research on cutting-edge issues of ocean law and policy that are at the forefront of global and regional ocean policy current affairs (such as for example the development of maritime autonomous surface ships or governance issues raised by climate change and oceans)  under the supervision of one or more of senior members of the CIL Ocean Law and Policy team.under the supervision of one or more of senior members of the CIL Ocean Law and Policy team. For more about the work that the CIL Oceans Law and Policy Team do, please see https://cil.nus.edu.sg/research/ocean-law-policy/ .

The Research Assistant will also be expected to assist in the preparation of conferences, workshops and training courses organized by the CIL, with the added benefit of being able to attend such courses. Candidates should have some experience in working in a team, but should also be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

This Research Assistant position is for those who are interested in exploring the prospect of pursuing a career in Oceans Law and Policy or International Regulation Shipping. The Position may include a short attachment with the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). A good testimonial on the work done at CIL will be relevant experience for an application to join the Legal Service, in particular, for a posting to the International Affairs Division of the Attorney-General's Chambers.

About CIL:

The Centre for International Law (CIL) was established in 2009 as a university-level research institute at National University of Singapore (NUS). It is located on the Bukit Timah Campus of NUS, together with the Faculty of Law. As a university-level research institute, CIL engages in both legal and multi-disciplinary research on wide variety of international law issues. Its mission is to enable Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region to play a more significant role in the promotion and development of international law. CIL's vision is to become a regional intellectual hub and thought leader for research on and teaching of international law.

About the Oceans Law and Policy Team:

The three senior members of the CIL Oceans team are Prof Robert Beckman, Dr Tara Davenport and Dr Youna Lyons. All three have been with the CIL Oceans Team since CIL was established in 2010. The Oceans Programme is co-headed by Prof Beckman and Prof Davenport, and Dr Lyons leads its multi-disciplinary research programmes. The CIL Oceans Team has a research grant from the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), and research under the grant is headed by Prof Beckman and Dr Lyons. 

Prof Beckman was the founding Director of CIL and has been with the NUS Faculty of Law for more the 40 years, and he has taught various courses in international law, including Ocean Law Policy and International Regulation of Shipping. Dr Tara Davenport is an Asst Professor in the NUS Faculty of Law, where she currently teaches Ocean Law & Policy. Dr Youna Lyons heads an international NGO and attends meetings of the International Maritime Organization relating to her research. 

The CIL’s Ocean Law & Policy team currently conduct research on a broad range of cutting-edge ocean law and policy issues of interest to Singapore, the region and the international community, including maritime security, marine environment, climate change and law of the sea, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, maritime disputes, technology and the law of the sea, deep seabed mining, fisheries and submarine cables. 

The CIL Oceans Team also includes Research Fellows and Research Associates. The current research team includes researchers from Indonesia, Vietnam and Korea. Former CIL researchers have gone on to a variety of positions in government, academia and international organizations.
For more information on the OLP’s team’s research activities, please see https://cil.nus.edu.sg/research/ocean-law-policy/ .

Application Procedure

Applications open 24 April 2023 and close on 20 May 2023:

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

More Information

Location: Bukit Timah Campus
Organization: Centre for International Law
Department : Centre for International Law
Employee Referral Eligible: No
Job requisition ID : 20188