Join the CISDL
CISDL provides a vibrant community for professional development, legal scholarship and global empowerment. Join a global community of scholars dedicated to the promotion of international sustainable development law.
Why The CISDL?
How To Join?
CISDL Global Research Fellowship
The CISDL enjoys strong collaborative partnerships with several inter-governmental agencies, research institutes and universities in developed and developing countries, and an excellent international network of mentors, advisors and collaborators. Successful candidates become a member of small community of sustainable development lawyers, as one of the few Fellows that the CISDL is able to appoint for two year renewable terms.
The key to a successful fellowship is a strong convergence between the applicants’ specific legal research interests, and the CISDL’s evolving legal research priorities, publications and activities. The Application Process is straightforward. Applications for Fellowship can be submitted by October 1st of each academic year and will be considered on a biennial basis. If successful, a candidate is given a two-year appointment that is open to renewal. A CISDL Fellow is not required to move to Montreal or one of the CISDL’s affiliated offices in order to become a Fellow, as candidates are accepted from the countries and myriad legal systems in which they are based. Preference is given to CISDL Fellows from developing countries and those who are based in universities or international law institutions affiliated with the CISDL. Under usual conditions, all candidates that have been short-listed for a fellowship will be contacted within four to six weeks following the application deadline.
CISDL Research Fellows (Senior Research Fellows, Legal Research Fellows and Associate Fellows) are members of the CISDL and are engaged in the CISDL’s seven legal research programmes, or cross-cutting areas of interest. They conduct legal research, write or edit publications, and provide peer review and advice for other members in their areas of interest. They can also lead or be involved in specific CISDL projects, events or activities, as agreed with the CISDL Lead Counsel and Directors.
The CISDL will expect a Research Fellow to take part in the research and activities of the Centre. CISDL will also expect a Research Fellow to demonstrate respect for the mission, principles and objectives of the CISDL, including its policies and decision-making structure. In addition, a Research Fellow should involve law and other students in their work where this is relevant and helpful to the Fellow’s research interests, should acknowledge their fellowship in any communications or publications related to the work they undertake while based at the CISDL, and if traveling to Montreal or affiliated offices, should undertake minimum cooperative obligations that are involved in sharing an office with other scholars and sustainable development lawyers.
Senior Research Fellows are usually professors of international law, or hold equivalent professional experience in their fields of international expertise. They hold excellent internationally recognised levels of expertise, backed by superb academic and professional credentials. They have years of experience in international law related to sustainable development, and collaborate closely with CISDL Lead Counsel and Directors, as well as International Advisors, on specific legal research and projects in their fields.
Legal Research Fellows are holders of law degrees and often also graduate degrees in law, have more than 5 years of legal experience in their field, hold excellent academic and professional credentials, and can demonstrate a specific interest in international law related to sustainable development, particularly in the areas of current research and undertaking within the CISDL.
Associate Fellows are often legal graduate students in developing countries and in the world’s leading international law programmes of university law faculties around the world. In particular, they have the opportunity to work closely with CISDL affiliates in McGill University, the University of Montreal, Cambridge University, Oxford University, Yale University, Stanford University, Beijing University, Capetown University, the University of Costa Rica, the University of Santiago, the University of Nairobi, the United Nations University in Tokyo, the University of Ottawa, the University of Victoria and other institutions.
Legal Research Group members are early career scholars and law students based everywhere in the world, including Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East.
Successful applicants will have familiarized themselves with the CISDL’s mission, principles, objectives, structure, annual research strategies, publications and research programme agendas, by consulting the documents online at www.cisdl.org, prior to submitting an application.
CISDL International Secretariat Recruitment
The CISDL conducts a recruitment for positions in the International Secretariat biennially, but accepts expressions of interest on a rolling basis. Specifically, the CISDL looks for a Secretariat Manager, a Publications Officer, a Social Media Officer, a Finance Officer, and an Education Officer resident or attending the law faculties at McGill / Université de Montréal/ University of Ottawa. Preference for these positions is given to candidates based in Montreal. Additionally, global Research Officers are also selected with preference given to those attending or resident at the University of Cambridge, University of Nairobi, McGill University, and Universidad de Chile. These are pro bono positions with the possibility of a small honorarium upon successful completion of the complete term of appointment and the successful achievement of certain goals to be agreed prior to commencement. For more information please email fkphillips@cisdl.org. Recruitment for these positions opens at the start of September each year and will run until October 1. However, positions will close once a suitable candidate is found. Due to the high volume of applications received only those shortlisted will be contacted. Selected candidates for Secretariat roles may be required to submit a writing sample and conduct an in-person interview in Montreal or Ottawa. To apply, please send a cover letter and CV to – fellowship@cisdl.org – by October 1.
Education Officer – Montreal or Ottawa We are seeking a candidate based in Montreal. This is a pro bono position with the possibility of a small honorarium upon successful completion of the complete term of appointment and the successful achievement of certain goals to be agreed prior to commencement. The responsibilities of the Education Officer consist mainly of the following:
- Participates in monthly Secretariat coordination calls led by Secretariat Manager.
- Ensures that the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses remain accredited by the appropriate bar associations.
- Ensures that the CLE course website remains functional and up-to-date.
- Works to create new modules for the CLE course, including working with other members of the CISDL in their creation.
- Creates and delivers certificates of completion to those who successfully complete the CLE program.
- Coordinates, along with other members of the Secretariat, aspects of CISDL academic workshops, panels, guest lectures, side events and other scholarly events.
- May be requested to make presentations at workshops and other events.
Publications Officer – Montreal or Ottawa We are seeking a candidate based in Montreal or Ottawa. This is a pro bono position with the possibility of a small honorarium upon successful completion of the complete term of appointment. The responsibilities of the Publications Officer consist mainly of the following:
- Participates in monthly Secretariat coordination calls led by Secretariat Manager.
- Coordinates publications processes, and coordinates French and Spanish translations.
- Ensures consistent style and quality.
- Assists in coordination of events.
- Helps to ensure that publications are distributed.
- Assists in social media postings related to upcoming publications.
- Prior editorial and writing background is preferred for this position.
Communications Officer – Montreal or Ottawa We are seeking a candidate based in Montreal or Ottawa. This is a pro bono position with the possibility of a small honorarium upon successful completion of the complete term of appointment. Candidate should be a regular Twitter and Facebook user and enjoy posting and interacting on social media. The responsibilities of the Communications Officer consist mainly of the following:
- Participates in monthly Secretariat coordination calls led by Secretariat Manager.
- Developing, editing, and proofreading CISDL event materials.
- Social media posting and community outreach.
- Coordinating external relations, event support and marketing.
- Provide on the ground support for logistics, planning and facilities management.
- Prior communications, marketing and social media background is welcomed for this position.
Financial Officer – Montreal or Ottawa We are seeking a candidate based in Montreal or Ottawa. This is a pro bono position with the possibility of a small honorarium upon successful completion of the complete term of appointment. The responsibilities of the Financial Officer consist mainly of the following:
- Assist the Chief Financial Officer in administration of the CISDL books.
- Processing of payments and collection of invoices.
- Coordination of annual materials in support of projects and auditing.
- Support for completion of annual financial reports.
Social Media Posts Drafts The Centre for Sustainable Development Law is recruiting! Are you a student at McGill University, Université de Montréal or University of Ottawa interested in sustainable development, fighting climate change, building governance mechanisms and finding solutions towards a sustainable future through law? Would your studies or practice benefit from new legal analysis, experiences, and networks? Apply now to join the CISDL’s International Secretariat, and work with researchers, lawyers and experts from across the globe who are integrating environment, human rights and economy through legal scholarship and empowerment. For more information, contact secretariat@cisdl.org