91³ÉÈ˰涶Òô

About us

UNSW Law & Justice is a top-ranking faculty and a global leader in law and criminology education and research, setting the pace in Australia for 50 years.ÌýÌýÌý

We ranked 12th globally for law and legal studies in the 2024 QS World University Rankings and 1st in Australia in the Employer Reputation category by subject. UNSW climbed in the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, placing 20th worldwide for law.ÌýIn the most recent round of research excellence rankings,ÌýUNSWÌýreceived an ERA rating of 5 for law, the highest possible score.ÌýÌý

We're inspired by principles of law and justice and grounded in well-established legal skills. UNSW Law & Justice is committed to social justice and human rights, and to making a difference in this world.

Purpose

UNSW Law & Justice wishes to offer a PhD Scholarship for an applicant with outstanding research potential and a demonstrated interest in international human rights law and the law of the sea. The scholarship is for a doctoral topic related to the Australian Research Council Discovery Project of Natalie Klein, Sarah Williams and Irini Papanicolopulu on ‘Fixing Gaps in Ocean Governance: International Law Duties of Persons at Sea’.

The ARC Discovery Project (DP250102643) focuses on international law duties held by non-state actors to protect people at sea. From seafarers during the COVID pandemic to boat migrants to naval officers, we know each individual has rights at sea. But responsibility for protecting those rights is currently shifting, with more international law obligations being imposed on shipping companies, humanitarian workers and military commanders. International law scholars and practitioners, government lawyers and advisors all need to know who owes what duties to whom and how those duties can be enforced. Answering these questions is fundamental for good ocean governance and will inform international law initiatives as well as Australia's 2022 Civil Maritime Security Strategy.

The proposed thesis topic should broadly relate to the duties of non-State actors to protect human rights at sea, with a focus on either seafarers or fishers as the beneficiaries of those duties or the provision of humanitarian assistance by sea. The thesis will be part of a larger project examining non-State actors’ duties under international law to protect people at sea. The scholarship will commence in September 2025, February 2026 or June 2026.

The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Natalie Klein and Professor Sarah Williams and focus primarily on their own PhD project. They will also have the opportunity to participate in any activities held at UNSW under the ARC Discovery Project and will be associated with the Australian Human Rights Institute. Candidates will be enrolled in the School of Global and Public Law at UNSW Law & Justice.

Deadline

Applications are open until 31 March 2025.

Amount

The scholarship stipend will be equivalent to the value of a Research Training Program Scholarship (this rate is $38,438 per annum (2025 rate).Ìý These scholarships generally receive favourable tax treatment and enable international candidates to apply for a fee waiver.

Duration

Three and a half (3.5) years, subject to confirmation of candidature and satisfactory progress. It is anticipated that candidates will commence the program in Term 3 2025 (September), Term 1 2026 (February) or Term 2 2026 (June).

Eligibility

Applicants may be Australian citizens, permanent residents or international.

The Scholarship is for study on a full-time basis only, unless there are exceptional personal or medical circumstances that would require study on a part-time basis for all or part of the PhD program. This Scholarship is not open to students already enrolled in a PhD program elsewhere.

Residency requirement

Applicants must pursue their PhD research in Sydney. International applicants are responsible for securing any necessary visas to enable study based in Sydney.

Selection criteria

Applicants must possess:

• excellent academic credentials and a demonstrated interest in studies of law with a focus on public international law, preferably at least one of law of the sea, international humanitarian law and international human rights law; and
• an undergraduate degree in Law with a minimum Honours Class II, Division (I) that includes a substantial research component (or equivalent); or
• a postgraduate qualification in Law (including a substantial research component) with an average that equates to a Distinction average at UNSW (80%); or
• equivalent research or professional experience, supported by references and a detailed CV.

Previous research experience, including completion of a research thesis and/or publications, will be highly valued. ÌýÌý

Selection will be based on:

(a) the applicant’s academic qualifications;

(b) their written and oral communication skills;

(c) the quality of their research proposal;

(d) their research experience and potential;

(d) the fit between the applicant’s proposal and the focus areas of the Discovery Project; and

(e) the applicant’s interest and experience in public international law, including law of the sea, international humanitarian law and/or international human rights law.