Rights Lab Research Associate​/Fellow in Migration and Anti-trafficking Governance; Part-time

Area
Social Sciences

Location
University Park

Salary
£32,080 to £47,389per annum, pro rata depending on skills and experience (minimum £35608 with relevant PhD).

Closing Date
Tuesday 10 November 2026

Reference
SOC
445026

About the role

We are recruiting a Research Associate in Migration and Anti-Trafficking Governance for an externally funded project examining the scale and nature of trafficking and forced labour across multiple sectors within a single country. This is a part-time post at 0.4 FTE, suitable for someone undertaking doctoral research in a relevant social science discipline.

The role involves reviewing academic and grey literature, analysing country context, and examining relevant laws, policies and institutional arrangements. The role-holder will integrate survey findings with contextual evidence and contribute to written project outputs. They will manage their research tasks and deadlines in consultation with the project team.

About the team

The post is based in the Rights Lab, within the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Nottingham. The role-holder will work with an interdisciplinary research team and project partners, contribute to collaborative decisions and attend external meetings as required.

About you

You must be currently registered for a PhD in a relevant social science discipline and have completed doctoral-level training in social science research methods. You should hold a relevant master’s degree or have equivalent research training and experience.

Essential experience includes conducting a structured evidence review examining the relationship between migration or immigration policy and human trafficking, modern slavery or forced labour, and contributing its findings to a written research output.

You will also need qualitative analysis skills and experience contributing to collaborative research on institutional responses to trafficking or exploitation.

What we offer

• A friendly, diverse, and supportive working environment;
• A vibrant on-campus research environment, supported by expectations that our team is based within our building on University Park for at least 60% of the working week and university expectations of residence within an hour’s travel time;
• Generous holiday entitlement of 30 days annually (or pro rata) plus standard bank holidays and five university closure days, including closure between Christmas and New Year;
• Access to a range of benefits and rewards, including fitness and health facilities, staff discounts, travel schemes and many more. To find out more about what we can offer you, follow the link toour benefits website .

What next

This role is available from 1 December, 2026 to 31 July, 2027.

Please contact Professor Zoe Trodd (  ) if you have further questions about this role. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .