Law, Socio-Legal Studies and Transitional Justice l

Summary

The Law team at Ulster University invites PhD proposals across a range of research areas aligned with the priorities in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government or Sectoral Action Plans. Applications for funded research should focus on one of the following areas:

• The role of law in addressing challenges for peacebuilding and creating safer communities in post-conflict and democratising societies, for example gender-related harms, mental health legacies, truth recover and accountability.
• Legality and accountability in the context of ongoing conflicts and developments in military technology.
• The transformation of public services to enhance access to justice, end poverty and respond to migration-related issues, including the role of new technology in the welfare state and other areas of public administration.
• Building safer communities by addressing harms associated with human trafficking, child exploitation, criminality and incarceration.
• Artificial intelligence and other new technologies as an opportunity and a challenge for the legal system, legal practice and legal education.
• Economic, ethical and regulatory implications of new developments in information technology and biotechnology
• We have a shared interest in human rights, equality, justice and ethics – some or all of these may be relevant to any of the themes above.

Depending on topic, the successful candidate is likely to be aligned with one or more of the Law unit’s main research centres: the Transitional Justice Institute, the Social Justice Institute or the Centre for Legal Technology. These are home to cutting edge research on law’s relationship with peace, conflict and democratisation (TJI), social exclusion, injustice and the welfare state (SJI) and emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (CLT).

We are an interdisciplinary research unit and welcome proposals that involve innovative socio-legal methods or that combine Law with another discipline, including other social sciences, performing and visual arts and computing/information technology.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Track record of peer reviewed publications

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.