Visiting Fellow - Project on Judicial Transitions and the Rule of Law

Position Overview

The Neukom Center for the Rule of Law at Stanford Law School seeks a Visiting Fellow to lead the Project on Judicial Transitions and the Rule of Law. This innovative initiative, launched in partnership with the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, will serve as a global hub connecting cutting-edge scholarship with practical policy implementation to support countries transitioning from authoritarianism to democracy through judicial reform and strengthening of the rule of law. This position is a one-year term position with the possibility of renewal, dependent on funding and at the discretion of Neukom Center leadership.

Primary Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall intellectual and operational leadership for the Project on Judicial Transitions and the Rule of Law
• Develop and implement the project's strategic vision, research agenda, and impact goals
• Serve as the primary liaison between Stanford Law School's Neukom Center and the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law
• Represent the project in engagements with funders, academic institutions, government officials, and international organizations

Research & Scholarship

• Working in partnership with Neukom Center and Bingham Centre leadership, establish and chair a working group of leading international scholars and researchers on judicial transitions
• Direct a comprehensive review and synthesis of existing scholarship on judicial transitions
• Identify critical research gaps and priority questions for investigation
• Oversee the development of research projects addressing identified questions
• Contribute original scholarship to the field through publications, policy papers, and reports

Practice & Policy Implementation

• Establish and maintain partnerships with country-specific task forces composed of judicial leaders, policymakers, and reform advocates
• Facilitate knowledge transfer between academic research and practical implementation in transitioning jurisdictions
• Convene workshops, conferences, and working sessions bringing together scholars and practitioners
• Develop policy recommendations and best practice frameworks for judicial transition processes
• Provide expert consultation to countries undertaking judicial reforms

Network Building & Collaboration

• Build and maintain a global network of scholars, judges, policymakers, and civil society organizations
• Foster collaboration between academic researchers and on-the-ground practitioners
• Cultivate relationships with international organizations (UN, Council of Europe, OAS, etc.)
• Engage with judicial training institutions and democracy support organizations

Resource Development & Management

• Support fundraising efforts and grant writing to sustain and expand the project
• Ensure effective coordination between Stanford and Bingham Centre teams

Qualifications

Required

• Ph.D. in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or related field, or J.D. with extensive post-graduate research experience
• Minimum 10 years of experience in comparative constitutional law, judicial reform, democratic transitions, or related fields
• Demonstrated record of influential scholarship on courts, judicial independence, rule of law, or democratic governance
• Proven ability to lead complex, multi-institutional projects
• Experience working across cultures and in international contexts
• Exceptional communication skills for academic and policy audiences
• Fluency in English; additional languages highly desirable

Strongly Preferred

• Direct experience working on judicial reform or democratic transition in one or more countries
• Established network of contacts among international scholars and practitioners in the field
• Experience engaging with policymakers, judges, and government officials
• Track record of successful fundraising and grant management
• Prior leadership role in a major research institute, center, or international organization
• Publications in top-tier academic journals and policy venues

Desired Competencies

• Strategic vision combined with operational excellence
• Ability to synthesize complex academic research for policy audiences
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse political contexts
• Diplomatic skills for engaging with stakeholders across ideological and national boundaries
• Commitment to academic rigor and empirical research
• Strong project management and team leadership capabilities
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, rapidly evolving contexts

Appointment Details

Position Type: One-year term, renewal dependent on funding and at the discretion of Neukom Center leadership

Location: Primary residence at Stanford Law School (Stanford, CA) with regular engagement at the Bingham Centre (London, UK); international travel required

Application Materials

Interested candidates should submit:

• Short cover letter describing qualifications and vision for the project
• Curriculum vitae

The expected base pay range for this position is $90,000-$100,000.

Stanford University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position at the time of hire. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the qualifications of the selected candidate, budget availability, and internal equity.