The School of Geography and the Environment (SoGE), Smith School is recruiting a Research Associate to join the Climate Litigation Lab, working under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Franta. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to rigorous, high-impact research that directly informs climate greenwashing litigation worldwide.
The postholder will investigate how companies—particularly in the fossil fuel sector—communicate about climate change through advertising, consumer claims, and public communications. By analysing these materials and their legal relevance, the successful candidate will develop peer-reviewed research outputs that provide evidence and insight for practitioners, regulators, and policymakers. A key resource for this work will be the Oxford Carbon and Climate Advertising Library, a unique collection of climate-related advertising curated by the Climate Litigation Lab.
Beyond individual research, the role involves contributing to the wider development of the Sustainable Law Programme and the Climate Litigation Lab. The postholder will help supervise and support junior researchers, including PhD students and research assistants, and play an active role in setting the strategic research agenda. The position also offers opportunities for collaboration with external partners such as litigators, NGOs, regulatory bodies, and private sector representatives, requiring a capacity to communicate complex research in clear, practical terms.
This post is well-suited to candidates with a strong academic background (PhD/DPhil) or legal expertise, who wish to build a career at the intersection of scholarship and practice. It provides a platform to publish world-class research, influence climate litigation strategies, and contribute to the advancement of climate accountability on a global scale.
This post is fixed-term for 2 years upon start date and offered on a full-time basis.
What We Offer
As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' well-being, and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:
* An excellent contributory pension scheme
* 38 days annual leave
* A comprehensive range of childcare services
* Family leave schemes
* Cycle loan scheme
* Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans.
Application Process
You will be required to upload a covering letter with a supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. In your supporting statement, please explain how you meet each of the selection criteria found in the job description, and why you would like to do this role. See guidance at
Any technical questions related to this vacancy can be sent to:
The closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on 29 October 2025. Only applications submitted by this time will be considered.
The University of Oxford and The School of Geography and the Environment are Silver Athena SWAN holders. Applications are particularly welcome and encouraged from women, black, and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in posts in The School of Geography and the Environment. The School of Geography and the Environment are committed to equality and values diversity