The Faculty of Law of the National University of Singapore (NUS Law) is one of the premier places for legal research in Asia. It has an active research culture with seven research centres, an intense and diverse array of research events and seminars, and large numbers of visiting researchers from around the world. In 2025, the Law School was ranked 10th in the world by the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and 12th globally by the Times Higher Education.
We invite applications for the NUS Law Laureate Fellowship positions commencing in AY2026-2027. The NUS Law Laureate Fellowship is the premier post-doctoral programme of the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore. The Fellowship aims to foster research excellence among early-stage legal scholars who are interested in pursuing an academic career. They may focus on any field of legal research and use any research methodology or approach. The principle selection criteria are their exceptional calibre and the potential to excel in their area of research.
Fellows of this highly selective programme will enjoy a competitive salary and annual funding for conference and research travel. They will benefit from NUS Law's active research culture — permanent faculty who are leading experts in their fields, eminent visitors from around the world, regular faculty research and professional development workshops, and seminars and other events organized by specialized research centres.
Successful applicants will commence their Fellowships at the start of August 2026 and conclude them at the end of July 2027.
Benefits
1. NUS Law Laureate Fellows will be appointed to a full-time post-doctoral fellow position at NUS Law on a one-year contract with a fixed remuneration of S$81,600. They may be re-appointed up to a maximum of 2 additional terms (total of 3 years) with a remuneration increase of approximately 5% each year, subject to satisfactory review by the Faculty.
2. Fellows will be reimbursed for a return economy class airfare (by the most economical and direct route) up to a maximum of S$2,000 to and from Singapore.
3. Fellows will be allocated a Faculty Research and Conference Fund allowance to support attendance at academic conferences. The allocation is S$6,000 per annum, prorated based on the candidate’s date of commencing the Fellowship.
4. Fellows will be allocated shared office space at NUS Law.
5. Fellows may be given the opportunity to present their research in NUS Faculty of Law Research Workshops or other seminars hosted by research centres.
Selection criteria
The selection committee will consider the following criteria in making an appointment for the position of NUS Law Laureate Fellow:
1. The applicant must be of exceptional calibre, having attained a doctoral degree in law which must have been successfully completed and examined during the period 1 January 2024 to 30 April 2026. Applicants who have not been awarded the doctoral degree by the date of application but who intend to submit their doctoral thesis for examination not later than 31 January 2026 are welcome to apply, but in these circumstances written assurance is required from the applicant's supervisor (and endorsed by the awarding institution) that there is reasonable expectation that the doctoral degree will be awarded. Applicant must hold a doctoral degree in law by the time of appointment.
2. The principal selection criterion will be the applicant’s potential for excellence in research and the proposed programme of research of the applicant. An existing record of publication or participation in research projects are examples of evidence of such potential.
Application procedure
1. Application form
The downloaded application form should be completed and submitted together with the other required documents. Incomplete applications cannot be considered. You are also required to enclose a copy of your Doctoral Certificate (if applicable) or Status Letter with your application.
Please note that there is no need to contact any faculty members of NUS Law to ask them for their interest in mentoring you. Also, contacting multiple faculty members will not improve your chances of being selected.
You may download the application form above.
2. Curriculum Vitae
A detailed curriculum vitae should be submitted containing complete and detailed information on academic institutions, honors, awards, all publications to date, and all professional experience (current and previous, including dates of employment and job descriptions).
3. Research Proposal
A detailed research proposal outlining the research plans for the next two years including the expected results of the work, and the projected contribution to the field of inquiry should be submitted. The title of the proposal should indicate fully the nature of the research project.
4. Letters of Recommendation
The application should be supported by two references from academic referees. Applicants should arrange for their referees to send their references to lawresearchappt@nus.edu.sg by the closing date.
5. Submission of Application Materials
Interested applicants are invited to apply and submit their applications above.
6. Closing Date
The closing date for the receipt of applications (including the letters of recommendations) is 31 December 2025. Late applications will not be considered. Applicants will be notified within 2 months from the closing date on the status of their applications.
