About
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) invites applications for two full-time Research Associate positions to work on the Just Transitions on Indian Streets (JusTIS) project. The position is up to March 2027 and will be based in Bengaluru, with some time spent on fieldwork in Delhi and Kolkata.
The project is the recipient of The British Academy’s Knowledge Frontiers: International Interdisciplinary Research Projects Award for 2025-27 in collaboration with the University of Oxford. Research Associates will report to the project’s co-investigator, Dr. Anwesha Ghosh, who is a faculty member at NLSIU.
About the Project
Just Transitions on Indian Streets (JusTIS) is a research project focused on fair and inclusive climate responses in Indian cities for street-based workers like vendors, platform workers, and informal transport operators. Often excluded from urban planning, these workers face systemic invisibility in climate policies. JusTIS explores how climate change impacts streets in Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata using surveys, oral histories, and workshops. It highlights streets as spaces of survival, struggle, and resilience. By centering workers’ voices and knowledge, JusTIS challenges top-down approaches and promotes equitable, grounded alternatives for sustainable and dignified urban futures.
Role Description
The Research Associate will be responsible for:
- Working with the research team in conducting surveys and interviews with the project’s various stakeholders.
- Assisting in the organisation of participant workshops in research cities.
- Helping with archival research in research cities related to the project.
- Transcribing data from surveys, interviews, workshops, and other activities.
- Undertaking comprehensive literature reviews on relevant topics.
- Helping with hosting a 2-day in-person academic workshop at NLSIU.
- Attending meetings and reading groups organised by the PI and/or Co-Is.
- Maintain monthly progress reports on the activities and budget.
- Assist in any other tasks as required.
Qualifications
Essential
- Master’s degree in social sciences, law, public policy, or allied disciplines
Desirable
- Academic background in urban studies, geography, anthropology, mobilities research or cognate fields
- Working knowledge of NVivo or an equivalent software package to analyse qualitative data
Experience
Essential
- 2-3 years of research experience post-master’s degree or early career research scholars awaiting PhD defence in issues of livelihood, dignity, and justice.
- Proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Bengali, Hindi, Kannada.
Desirable
- Familiarity with academic debates on the topics of just transitions, decolonisation, and environmental justice.
- Prior experience of conducting fieldwork in research cities and engaging with relevant stakeholders.
- Experience of contributing to research publications.
- Experience in project coordination roles within a research team.
- Flexibility in working from Delhi or/and Kolkata as per project requirements.
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Strong execution rigour and operational skills.
- Strong presentation and time management skills.
How to apply
Please use the Google form here, and include the following documents:
- An up-to-date CV
- A statement of purpose (not more than 500 words)
- Contact details and designation of one reference
We will request a sample of academic writing, up to a maximum of 8,000 words (including references), at the interview stage if the candidate is selected for the next round.
Compensation
Salary will be commensurate with qualification and experience and will be in the range of Rs. 60,000 – Rs 70,000 per month.
For any queries, please write to recruitment@nls.ac.in.