Lecturer in Law: Human Rights

Role Description

Department

York Law School (YLS) is a vibrant, research-active and collegial department with a strong commitment to interdisciplinary, socially engaged scholarship and innovative legal education. Our undergraduate programmes are built around Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and research and teaching are strongly interconnected across the School. 

YLS is developing its research environment through a set of Research Excellence Groups and networks designed to support collaboration, strengthen research capacity, and develop areas of strategic priority. These include:

Social Welfare, Law and Administrative Justice; Health and Law; Law and AI; Conflict, Migration, and International Law; Criminalisation; and Private Law and Values, alongside an Applied Socio-legal Methods Network that supports methodologically innovative research across socio-legal approaches.

Role

We are particularly interested in strengthening our expertise in Human Rights Law, specifically applied and interdisciplinary approaches to human rights. We welcome applications candidates whose research demonstrates the potential for public, policy and professional impact. 

You will be expected to contribute to teaching across the core law curriculum as well as within your area of specialist expertise. In addition, you will be expected to contribute to both the School’s research environment and its distinctive approach to legal education. 

This full-time post is available from September 2026.

Please note that within the online application process 3 x academic references are stated as being required, professional references will be accepted as  suitable alternatives. 

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in law and a PhD in Law (awarded or close to submission)
• Extensive knowledge in Human Rights Law and its practical application
• Knowledge of the design and development of teaching programmes and the provision of learning support across different levels of academic activity in the field of Human Rights Law.
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, including ability to write and/or contribute to publications and/or to disseminate research findings using other appropriate media
• Ability to design teaching material and deliver either across a range of modules or within a subject area
• Display creativity, initiative and judgement in applying appropriate approaches to teaching, learning support and scholarly activities
• Show commitment to the department/university outside of their chosen field, for example undertaking  management and administration duties

Interview date: Friday, 11 September 2026

For informal enquiries: please contact our Deputy Head of Department, Professor Martin Jones via email martin.jones@york.ac.uk 

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive  – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum (essential) criteria for each position will be offered an interview.  Read more about the University of York’s commitments under the Disability Confident scheme.