NLU Delhi Senior Researcher Recruitment 2026

NLU Delhi Senior Researcher — 2 Posts

National Law University Delhi (NLU Delhi) has invited applications for two Senior Researchers for a diagnostics study on understanding Ease of Justice in India. The engagement is contractual for one year, from 1 December 2026 to 31 August 2027, based in Delhi NCR, with travel to study states as required. Applications close on 15 November 2026.

About the study

The study is a supply-side institutional capacity assessment of justice delivery in India, with a focus on civil and commercial jurisdictions. It is commissioned by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, in collaboration with UNDP India, and designed and executed by NLU Delhi. Using a six-pillar diagnostic framework and a mixed-methods design across 12 states and 24 districts, including 2,000 survey respondents, 60 key informant interviews, six regional focus group discussions, 36 facility assessments and case-file review, the study will identify bottlenecks in justice delivery and propose practical, scalable reforms aligned with SDG 16.3.

Who can apply

• A Bachelor's degree in Law, Public Policy, Sociology, Political Science, Economics or a related social science, with a minimum of 55 percent marks or equivalent CGPA.
• A minimum of two years of post-qualification experience in empirical or socio-legal research.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, evidenced by published or policy work, and proficiency in English.

Desirable: an LL.M. or Master's degree in any of the above disciplines with a minimum of 55 percent marks; experience leading qualitative fieldwork, preferably on courts, legal aid or access to justice; working knowledge of mixed-methods research and thematic and content analysis; understanding of research ethics, including trauma-informed and data protection practices; and knowledge of an Indian language.

What the work involves

The researchers will conceptualise and execute the study, lead qualitative fieldwork including interviews with senior stakeholders and regional focus group discussions, train, supervise and quality-assure field teams, lead thematic and content analysis, draft consultation briefs, reports, policy briefs and reform recommendations, and prepare the pillar-wise findings and the diagnostic report, including comparative benchmarking and prioritised short, medium and long-term recommendations.

Pay

The remuneration is Rs. 70,000 per month, based on qualifications and experience.

Fee

The notification prescribes no application fee. There is no fee to pay for this call.

Age limit

No age limit is stated anywhere in the notification.

A note on the post title

The call's header styles the post "Lead Researcher" and prescribes the email subject line "Lead Researcher Application - Ease of Justice Study", while its position line reads "Senior Researcher (2 positions)". It is one and the same post, advertised once here, not two different posts.

How to apply

This is an email application. There is no online form. Send your updated CV, a writing sample and a Statement of Purpose of 500 words by email to ccv@nludelhi.ac.in, with the subject line "Lead Researcher Application - Ease of Justice Study", and include a cover letter in the body of the email. The deadline is 15 November 2026. For queries, contact ccv@nludelhi.ac.in.