EMA Fellow / Temporary Contract – Maternity Leave Cover
The Global Campus of Human Rights (GCHR) is an inter-disciplinary centre of excellence supported by the EU, the Right Livelihood Foundation (RLF) and other partner institutions. As a global university network, the GCHR promotes human rights and democratisation through education, specialised training and research. Its headquarters are in the Monastery of San Nicolò in Venice-Lido in Italy, and regional partner headquarters are based in Argentina, Armenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lebanon, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa and Thailand. For more information, visit www.gchumanrights.org.
The GCHR is seeking a qualified individual for its European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and
Democratisation (EMA), specifically for the temporary position of EMA Fellow. The position, aimed at a late-stage PhD candidate or a recently graduated PhD holder, entails a combination of administrative and academic tasks in support of the EMA Programme Director.
This position is being advertised to cover a maternity leave contract and will run from 22 June 2026 until the 31 January 2027. This is a full-time, in-person position and requires the successful candidate to be present in the Global Campus Headquarters in Venice. Remote work is not possible for this role.
The position provides an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to gain teaching experience in a dynamic and unique academic environment that involves engagement with a vibrant network of human rights professors and experts across Europe. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative skills, some prior academic teaching experience and a demonstrated research interest in issues relevant to the study of human rights and democratisation.
FUNCTIONS AND TASKS
The EMA Fellow will work as a member of the Global Campus staff based in Venice-Lido, and specifically as member of the EMA team under the direct supervision of the EMA Programme Director, and in close cooperation with an additional EMA Fellow. The position involves a combination of administrative and academic responsibilities and the successful candidate will work in close cooperation with another EMA Fellow. The successful candidate will be required:
• To perform administrative and operational tasks related to the implementation of the EMA programme. Such tasks include
o To assist the EMA Programme Director in the daily and ongoing practical requirements related to the delivery of the EMA programme
o To provide classroom and administrative support to visiting lecturers in the first semester (before, during and after their teaching contributions)
o To contribute to the regular update of the EMA e-learning environment
o To support student representatives and the student body with student-led activities and initiatives
o To assist, and to liaise with, the Field Trip Academic Coordinator and actively participate in the first semester field trip to Kosovo in January 2027
• To perform autonomous teaching and marking of first semester curriculum units and provide continuous academic support to students in line with expertise and experience
o To organise and/or co-teach a rolling seminar series in either philosophy, international relations or international law, with expertise in the philosophy or humanities preferred.
o To contribute to academic skills building classes and seminars and assist students in developing thesis research proposals
o To provide individual academic support to students, as required, with a particular focus on research, writing and other academic skills
o To assist in the marking of student assignments
o To teach specialised classes in line with the requirements of the programme
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
The EMA Fellow should possess and demonstrate the following:
• A recent PhD graduate or a late-stage PhD candidate in a discipline relevant to Human Rights and Democratisation. Expertise in Social Science, History and Philosophy of Human Rights is of particular relevance
• Experience in teaching and working with postgraduate students and academics in an international environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Excellent classroom management skills
• Strong mentoring abilities and a capacity to understand the needs and concerns of an international student body
• Collegiality and willingness to work as part of a team
• Demonstrated organisational and time management skills
• Strong knowledge of Virtual Learning tools/platforms (e.g. Blackboard or similar) and other IT-related applications
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS
The following are desirable qualifications:
• Experience in developing academic and legal skills in an international student body
• Experience in human rights practice
The EMA Fellow will be expected to take up full-time service from 22 June 2026 to 31 January 2027.
The monthly gross salary range is of €3,000-3,300 (dependent on qualifications and experience)
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday, 21 May 2026 (12.00 CEST). Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis and early applications are encouraged.
To apply please fill in the form below.
In addition, please prepare a cover letter (one-page maximum) outlining your suitability for the position and your motivation for applying and a Curriculum Vitae (two-pages maximum with an indication of two referees). The cover letter and CV should be saved as a single PDF document with the file name Surname_EMAFellow.pdf and submitted via the link provided below labelled ‘Upload CV/Resume’.
Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on 28-29 May 2026. The interview panel will consist of Dr. Orla Ní Cheallacháin EMA Programme Director, Prof George Ulrich, (Global Campus Academic Director), Dott. Elisabetta Noli (Global Campus Administrative and Human Resources Director) and Dr Judit Villena Rodó (EMA Fellow).
Should you have any questions concerning this Call, please contact Dr Orla Ní Cheallacháin by email / orla.nicheallachain@gchumanrights.org
Shortlisting will be completed soon after the deadline and followed by online interviews for short-listed candidates on 28 and 29 May 2026.
The Global Campus of Human Rights aims at building an inclusive workforce with diverse backgrounds, cultures and perspectives. We encourage people of all ages, ethnicities, religions, gender identities, sexual orientation, disability to apply and are interested in receiving applications from those who are marginalised and underrepresented.