Assistant Professor of Law

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria – Faculty of Law, Business, and Government

Position Overview:

The Faculty of Law, Business, and Government at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor of Law, with primary assignment to the Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Law and Economics (PPLE), fully taught in English.

The Faculty operates as a College model that integrates more than 8 undergraduate degree programs through a shared curriculum in the first year. The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching "Foundations of Law," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across these programs, as well as advanced law courses within the PPLE degree.

This position offers the opportunity to shape how hundreds of students from diverse academic backgrounds first encounter legal thinking, helping them understand law and legal systems through the lens of human dignity, justice, and the common good. The role allows the candidate to participate in an innovative educational project that approaches law as more than a technical discipline, integrating it with philosophy, politics, economics, and other disciplines across the College.

Position Responsibilities:

• Teach "Foundations of Law," a required first-year College course for all undergraduate students across the Faculty's 10+ degree programs
• Teach advanced law courses within the PPLE program and potentially other degree programs within the College
• Design and deliver course materials that make legal concepts and reasoning accessible and relevant to students from diverse academic backgrounds
• Develop pedagogical approaches that integrate legal analysis with ethical reflection, philosophical foundations, and the pursuit of justice and the common good
• Contribute to the interdisciplinary dialogue between law and other disciplines within the College model
• Engage in research activities within their area of expertise, particularly in areas related to legal philosophy, natural law, human rights, or other approaches that ground law in human dignity and the common good
• Supervise bachelor's theses and mentor students in their intellectual and personal development
• Participate in College activities, including seminars, lectures, and academic events
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster the College's interdisciplinary mission

Required Qualifications:

Academic Background:

• PhD in Law, Legal Philosophy, or related field (completed)
• A truly interdisciplinary profile demonstrated by: holding a degree (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral) in fields such as philosophy, political science, economics, theology, or other disciplines that complement law; or significant coursework and research engagement across multiple disciplines
• Evidence of interdisciplinary work through publications, research projects, teaching experiences, or collaborative initiatives that bridge law with other fields
• Early career profile: PhD completed or currently finishing a post-doctoral placement. A publication record that meets the requirements for Assistant Professor level (Profesor Ayudante Doctor) in the Spanish accreditation system (ANECA)
• A promising publication record with emphasis on quality and impact, including publications in peer-reviewed journals (indexed when possible), working papers, and book chapters
• Evidence of serious engagement with foundational questions in legal philosophy, jurisprudence, and/or approaches to law that emphasize justice, human dignity, and the common good

Research Focus and Values:

• A researcher who demonstrates enthusiasm for approaching law from perspectives grounded in natural law, legal philosophy, human rights, Catholic Social Teaching, or related frameworks that prioritize human dignity and the common good
• Research interests that go beyond purely technical or positivist legal analysis to engage with fundamental questions about justice, the nature of law, rights, and the relationship between law and morality
• Openness to interdisciplinary dialogue and willingness to integrate insights from philosophy, theology, political science, and economics into legal analysis
• A researcher who shares UFV's vision and values, particularly its commitment to truth, justice, the common good, and Christian humanism

Research Experience:

• Active research engagement through publications, presentations at academic conferences, and participation in research projects
• Demonstrated commitment to a research agenda aligned with the mission of the university and the PPLE program
• Active participation in research networks, institutes, or collaborative projects is valued

Supervision Experience:

• Experience supervising or co-supervising bachelor's theses is valued
• Experience mentoring students and guiding their intellectual and personal formation
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering students' critical thinking and their understanding of law as a discipline oriented toward justice and serving society

Teaching Experience:

• Previous experience teaching law at the undergraduate level, particularly introductory or foundational courses
• Demonstrated ability to make legal concepts and reasoning accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds
• Experience teaching in interdisciplinary or College model settings is valued
• Proven commitment to active learning methodologies and student-centered pedagogy
• Experience with Experiential Learning and Real Challenges Based Learning methodologies is highly valued
• Demonstrated experience teaching law from a perspective that emphasizes ethical reflection, justice, and the common good

Professional Experience:

• Demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary academic environments
• A growing network of contacts in the field of specialty

Language Requirements:

• High proficiency in English (C2 level or equivalent), evidenced by publications and/or teaching experience in English-speaking contexts, as the PPLE program is fully taught in English
• Proficiency in Spanish is valued but not required; willingness to learn Spanish is expected

Commitment to UFV Mission:

• Commitment to the ideals, vision, and mission of Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
• Alignment with UFV's educational model based on Christian humanism, personalist anthropology, and the pursuit of truth
• Understanding of and commitment to the integration of faith and reason in higher education, particularly in the field of law
• Dedication to fostering justice, the common good, and human flourishing through legal education and research

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Catholic Social Teaching and its implications for legal thought and practice
• Experience with or knowledge of natural law theory, legal philosophy, jurisprudence, human rights theory, or constitutional theory
• Experience implementing Experiential Learning methodologies
• International academic experience or research stays at prestigious universities
• Additional European languages beyond English and Spanish
• Professional legal experience (practice, judicial clerkship, legal advisory roles) that complements academic work

Selection Process

Application Period:

• Application Period: January 2026
• Interviews: February 2026
• Start Date: September 2026 (academic year 2026-2027)

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) - including detailed publication list and research experience
2. Cover Letter - addressing alignment with UFV's mission and vision for the PPLE program
3. Teaching and Research Statement
4. Three academic references

When writing the Cover Letter, please review our mission and identity webpage at: https://www.ufv.es/welcome-to-ufv-madrid/about-ufv/

Compensation Package:

The gross annual salary will be between 32,000 and 42,000 Euros, commensurate with the experience and profile of the selected candidate. It will include relocation costs (if applicable), life and health insurance, among other benefits.

Application Submission:

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to:

• Matthias Nebel (Head of the Doctorate Program Initiative) at matthias.nebel@ufv.es
• Sofia Borgia (Director of the LLB Program) at s.borgia.prof@ufv.es
• CC: Jorge Cerdio (Head of College and Undergraduate Studies) at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es
• CC:desarrollodepersonas@ufv.es, indicating in the subject line the specific selection process to which you are applying, as well as your name and surname.

For any inquiries regarding the position or application process, please contact Jorge Cerdio at jorge.cerdio@ufv.es

For more information, visit the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria and the Faculty of Law, Business, and Government websites:

• https://www.ufv.es/
• https://www.ufv.es/faculty-of-law-business-and-governance/

About Universidad Francisco de Vitoria:

Universidad Francisco de Vitoria is committed to education that seeks truth, promotes human excellence, and serves the common good. Our educational model is based on personalist anthropology and Christian humanism, fostering the integral development of the person through rigorous academic training, character formation, and service to society.

The Faculty's College model represents a unique opportunity to teach law to a broad and diverse student population in the foundational first year, while also contributing to specialized programs like the PPLE. This position allows the successful candidate to influence how law is understood and applied across multiple disciplines, always with a view toward justice, human dignity, and the common good.

Location:	Madrid - Spain
Salary:	€32,000 to €42,000 £27,833.47 to £36,531.43 converted salary*
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Permanent, Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On:	13th January 2026
Expires:	14th March 2026