Call for applications: postdoctoral fellowship(s) at the IASL

The Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL), of the Faculty of Law at McGill University, intends to appoint one or two Postdoctoral Research Fellow(s) from August 2011.

The position(s) is (are) funded by the Erin J C Arsenault Trust Fund. The research team is led by Prof. Ram Jakhu, Associate Professor, and Associate Director of the Centre for Research in Air and Space Law. The position(s) is (are) for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF AIR AND SPACE LAW

Based at the Faculty of Law of McGill University in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) since 1951, the IASL became the first institution in the world to offer a course in Space Law in 1963. Through the Institute, McGill University currently offers postgraduate degrees (LL.M. and D.C.L.) and a Certificate program in Air & Space Law. It attracts students and scholars from all over the world. Today, its Space Law curriculum is the world's most comprehensive and advanced.

The research agenda of the IASL is international, interdisciplinary, and ambitious. The IASL's Space Law research agenda concentrates on "space governance and its peaceful use," which revolves around three Space Law axes:

• Legal issues related to orbital debris removal and general space environmental problems;
• The interaction between soft and hard law in the development of new space law norms; and
• National space laws and policies (including the development of a model national space code).

QUALIFICATIONS:

The applicant must hold a doctoral degree in law at the time of the appointment. The ideal candidate must have a solid track record of original research, high level of proficiency in English and will propose a research project that interacts with the IASL's Space Law research agenda mentioned above.

Criteria for selection are the quality and originality of the proposed research of the candidate, who will pursue a research project on a topic relating to one or more of the IASL's axes of research.

He or she will also assist in the activities of the IASL, principally through some of the following activities: assisting in the organization of workshops/conferences/meetings, taking part in teaching of space law, editing conference papers and articles for the Annals of Air and Space Law, contributing to research for Space Security Index, completing applications for research grants, and related tasks.

APPLICATION DEADLINE AND PROCEDURE:

The deadline for applications is 15 April 2011. The review of applications will begin on 1 May 2011 and continue until the position is filled. The preferred starting date is 1st August 2011. The position will pay C$45,000 annually. Applications are to be submitted electronically to Me alison.glaser [at] mcgill.ca (Alison Glaser).

Applicants should submit a covering letter, a curriculum vitae, a research proposal (maximum four pages), a transcript of postgraduate studies, and one or more writing samples (from peer-reviewed >publications, if possible). Applicants should also name three referees, who may subsequently be invited by the IASL to send letters of reference.

For more information, please contact ram.jakhu [at] mcgill.ca (Prof. Ram Jakhu).