The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has invited applications for one (01) Research Position under its ongoing Criminal Justice Research Projects. The position is offered on a full-time contractual basis for a period of one year and will be based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
This research role is suited for candidates interested in empirical legal research, criminal justice reform, judicial data analysis, and interdisciplinary research involving law, data, and public policy.
About the Research Projects
NLSIU is currently undertaking multiple research projects focused on empirical analysis of the criminal justice system in India. These projects aim to examine how judicial institutions function in practice by studying large volumes of public legal data.
A key component of the research involves the use of publicly available judicial data, including judgments and court orders, to analyse decision-making patterns within the criminal justice system. One of the projects also integrates natural language processing (NLP) tools to mine and analyse data embedded in court judgments and orders.
The projects seek to address significant research questions, including:
- Sentencing patterns across different courts and regions
- Trends in undertrial incarceration
- Judicial decision-making in bail matters
- Regional and social group-based disparities in criminal justice outcomes
As part of the research output, the projects aim to develop a new publicly accessible legal dataset, which will include full texts of case decisions and hearing records. This dataset is intended to support future academic research, policy analysis, and legal reform initiatives related to the criminal justice system in India.
Nature of the Position
- Position Title: Researcher – Criminal Justice Projects
- Number of Vacancies: 01
- Nature of Engagement: Full-time, contractual
- Duration: One year
- Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka
The selected researcher will work closely with faculty members leading these projects and will be expected to contribute across different stages of the research lifecycle, including data collection, analysis, documentation, and dissemination.
Faculty Supervision
The Researcher will work under the supervision of the following faculty members at NLSIU:
- Prof. Mrinal Satish
- Prof. Aparna Chandra
- Prof. Rahul Hemrajani
- Prof. Nikita Ahalyan
The role involves both desk-based research and field-oriented components, depending on project requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities
The selected candidate will be responsible for a range of research and project-related tasks, including but not limited to:
- Navigating the eCourts platform to identify and document key structural aspects of the Indian judicial system
- Hand-coding cases from the eCourts website to build a reliable training dataset
- Analysing judicial decisions to extract, categorise, and synthesise relevant data
- Assisting in the development and maintenance of a legal database and open data portal
- Conducting detailed research on judicial performance indicators, including sentencing and bail outcomes
- Supporting the preparation of research documentation, analytical reports, and presentations for academic and policy audiences
- Participating in regular project meetings and collaborating with faculty members and research teams
- Handling administrative responsibilities associated with the research projects
- Assisting project leads in drafting research papers, reports, and policy outputs
The role requires strong research discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to work with large datasets and complex legal materials.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
Applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- LL.B. degree, or
- Master’s degree in an allied discipline
In addition, candidates must demonstrate training and experience in coding and analysing large government datasets.
Desirable Qualifications
While not mandatory, preference may be given to candidates with:
- Prior experience in academic or policy-oriented research
- Experience in empirical legal research
- Familiarity with coding, data analysis, or statistical tools
Experience Requirements
Essential Experience
- 0 to 5 years of work experience in an academic or professional setting
- Demonstrable evidence of research and writing ability
Applicants should be able to show prior engagement with research projects, academic writing, data analysis, or policy research.
Compensation
The salary for the position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will fall within the following range:
- ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 per month
The final compensation will be determined by NLSIU based on the selected candidate’s academic background and professional experience.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates must apply only through the prescribed Google Form. Applications submitted through any other mode will not be considered.
The application must include the following documents:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Purpose (maximum 500 words), outlining:
- Reasons for applying for the position
- How the role aligns with the applicant’s academic or professional trajectory
- Suitability for the role
- Contact details and designation of two referees
- One sole-authored writing sample (published or unpublished)
Application Deadline
- Last date to apply: January 9, 2026
Applicants are advised to complete and submit the application well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Contact for Queries
For any clarifications related to the position or the application process, candidates may write to:
- Email: recruitment@nls.ac.in
Why This Opportunity Matters
Research positions in criminal justice offer valuable exposure to how law operates in practice beyond doctrinal analysis. By working with judicial data, court processes, and empirical methodologies, researchers gain insights into systemic trends, institutional behaviour, and policy implications.
This position is particularly relevant for candidates interested in:
- Criminal law and procedure
- Judicial reforms
- Empirical legal research
- Law and data studies
- Policy-oriented legal scholarship
Key Information at a Glance
- Institution: National Law School of India University, Bengaluru
- Position: Researcher – Criminal Justice Projects
- Vacancies: 1
- Duration: 1 year (contractual)
- Location: Bengaluru
- Salary: ₹50,000–₹80,000 per month
- Deadline: January 9, 2026
