Student Research Assistance Opportunities

Summer Legal Internship

Open to law students and recent grads 
Building upon the Law’s School deep commitment to human rights, the Bernstein Institute for Human Rights is committed to challenging legal systems that exclude, marginalize, and oppress.  We are a dynamic team of activists, students, researchers and lawyers who envision a world where the law is rooted in human rights, legal systems are equitable and accessible to all people, and lawyers work in partnership with communities to help them build power and advance justice.

Through the Bernstein Institute’s Summer Legal Internship Program, law students will have the opportunity to work with the Institute’s network of directors and staff, including Faculty Director Meg Satterthwaite and Executive Director, Sukti Dhital. 

Interns’ work includes legal research, writing, and advocacy support. Interns will work independently and as a team, and are encouraged to engage with the Bernstein Institute staff and visiting scholars as active colleagues.  We are the only U.S. legal academic center dedicated to advancing research, education, and advocacy on legal empowerment in the United States and globally. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone dedicated to advancing research, education, and advocacy on legal empowerment in the United States and globally.

To apply: Applicants will need to send (1) cover letter, (2) current CV, (3) three references, (4) current academic transcript (unofficial is fine), and (5) a writing sample (10 pages maximum) 

Qualifications

Required:

  • Current or recent enrollment in a law degree program
  • Excellent analytical, research and writing skills as demonstrated by academic record and/or writing sample(s)
  • Demonstrated commitment to human rights and social justice
  • Strong capacity to work independently and with people from diverse backgrounds, including partner organizations

Preferred:

  • Work experience prior to law school

Not required but will be considered assets for some positions:

  • Experience with legal advocacy in national, regional or international bodies
  • Quantitative research skills
  • Interest in legal empowerment

Bernstein Institute Student Fellows

The Student Fellows contributes to the Institute’s groundbreaking legal empowerment research as a research assistant under the guidance of Institute faculty and staff.  The Fellows will support the Institute’s emerging project at the intersection of criminal justice and legal empowerment.

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Application Information

The Student Fellows will support the Institute’s emerging project at the intersection of criminal justice and legal empowerment.

Research undertaken for the Institute will be compensated at $15.00/hour, for an average of 5-8 hours a week for approximately 10 weeks.

Qualifications

  • NYU law student in any degree program (JD, LLM, JSD) 
  • Demonstrated commitment to human rights and grassroots justice
  • Excellent research and writing skills
  • Ability to work independently in a professional environment
  • Demonstrated potential for engaged and rigorous scholarship or applied research

Application Instructions

The following materials should be combined into a single PDF in the following order:

  • Statement addressing qualifications and specific research interests (500 words)
  • CV
  • Unofficial transcript from NYU Law
  • English-language writing sample (10 pages max, excerpts acceptable).

We encourage applications from persons of color, LGBTQI persons, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities. NYU is an equal opportunity employer. EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.