Visiting Doctoral Researchers
Visiting Doctoral Researchers are doctoral candidates enrolled in a doctoral degree program at another institution abroad who wish to benefit from spending one year of their research at NYU School of Law. They will be fully integrated into the JSD program as far as is relevant. The JSD Program invites between two to four individuals each academic year to contribute to the Visiting Doctoral Researcher position in the JSD Program.
The Visiting Doctoral Researchers are actively integrated into the Law School community through various academic and social programs, including an invitation to participate in the JSD Forum where they may present their research.
Benefits of Participation
Participating in the Visiting Doctoral Researcher program will include the following benefits:
- Participation in all Law School events including those especially of the JSD Program
- Integration, as far as possible, into the activities and events of NYU School of Law's JSD program
- Workspace within the Law School. Please note that work space is not guaranteed; however, we will do our best to provide some work space if any is available to us
- Access to the NYU School of Law Library, including WestLaw and LEXIS
- An email account
The invitation to join the Law School as a Visiting Doctoral Researcher is also an invitation to a life-long relationship with the JSD Program at NYU School of Law, one that will continue to foster excellence in legal scholarship. If you are interested in applying, please view the program information and application instructions links.
Current Visiting Doctoral Researchers
Academic Year 2025-2026
Matanel Bareli
Visiting Doctoral Researcher
Israel
Matanel Bareli is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, under the joint supervision of Prof. Alon Harel and Prof. Mark Tushnet (Harvard University). His research explores the theory and practice of particularistic constitutionalism, combining normative constitutional theory with empirical comparative methods. His academic interests include constitutional law, comparative constitutional law, constitutional theory, and political philosophy. He holds an M.A. in law from the Hebrew University and a B.A. in philosophy and Jewish thought from Shalem College in Jerusalem.
Matanel is a recipient of the President’s Scholarship and the Dean’s Prize at the Hebrew University Faculty of Law, and currently holds the Cheshin Fellowship. He is the co-editor of The Cambridge Handbook of Legal Populism (forthcoming, Cambridge University Press) and a fellow in the “Legal Populism” research group. He serves as a co-editor of the ICON-S Israel Blog (the Israeli chapter of the International Society of Public Law) and lectures on constitutional law and political theory at Herzog College. Research Title:
Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of Particularistic Constitutionalism.
Murat Aybars Tunca
Visiting Doctoral Researcher
Türkiye
Murat Aybars Tunca is a Ph.D. candidate in the Private Law program at Bilkent University, where he holds a full scholarship and has served as a research assistant since February 2021. The Scientific and Technological Research Institution of Türkiye National Ph.D Scholarship Program also supports his doctoral studies. He has also been awarded a Fulbright Ph.D. Dissertation Research Grant for the 2025-2026 academic year to further his doctoral research at NYU Law.
His research titled "AI’s Impact on Employement Relations: Evidence-Influenced Regulations for Balancing Innovation and Rights" focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence and labor law which investigates how to safeguard weaker parties, such as employees, in their relationships with employers in an increasingly AI-integrated workplace, without stifling the innovative environment for technological advancement. He aims to contribute to a world where no one feels trapped by algorithms and authentic human interactions and dignity are upheld, even in a society deeply integrated with AI.
Murat Aybars completed his LL.B. at Hacettepe University, where the Sabanci Foundation Success Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in Türkiye, supported his studies. He then earned his LL.M. from Bilkent University, also with a full scholarship. He also worked as a legal researcher for Holistic AI, a London-based AI consultancy firm. In this position, he analyzed global AI regulations and gained insights into how different jurisdictions address the challenges and opportunities of AI. His publications include articles published in peer-reviewed journals and a book. He is a member of the Ankara Bar Association but not a practicing lawyer. Outside of his academic pursuits, he enjoys participating in long-distance open water swimming events and mountaineering.
Thomas Hayon
Visiting Doctoral Researcher
France
Thomas Hayon is a PhD candidate in international law at the University of Paris Nanterre (France), under the supervision of Prof. Franck Latty. His research explores the role played by codification institutions in the development of international law. In this regard, his thesis focuses on how certain subsidiary means contribute to the formation of international norms. While at NYU, he aims to further his research on American legal scholars and the role played by American learned societies in the development of international law.
Thomas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Economics and a Master’s degree in Public International Law from the University of Paris Nanterre. As a teaching assistant, he has taught International Law of Spaces (Territorial Disputes, Law of the Sea, Outer Space Law, Cybersecurity, Transnational Law), Constitutional Law, and Administrative Law, to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Thomas has written several articles on Sports Law, International Economic Law, and Criminal Law. During the 73rd session of the United Nations International Law Commission, he served as an assistant to Prof. Mathias Forteau. He is also an active member of the International Law Association, both at the French and international levels.