Postdoctoral Fellow – Law – University of Alberta

Title of the Job: Postdoctoral Fellow – Law

Location: Edmonton, AB

Job Description: DescriptionThis position offers a benefits package found at . The appointment is for one year with a possibility of renewal. The salary range is $75,000 – $82,000 per annum.Location – Work primarily takes place at North Campus, EdmontonWorking at the University of AlbertaThe University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people – from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. .Working for the Faculty of LawFounded in 1912, the Faculty of Law is the oldest law school in Western Canada. Faculty members of the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law are recognized nationally and internationally as leading scholars and teachers, and lead by example in their service to the university, legal and civic communities. The Faculty enrolls approximately 525 Juris Doctor students and operates a robust graduate program. The Faculty of Law is also home to four research groups that contribute research, ideas, innovation and policy expertise to important areas of public concern: the Wahkohtowin Law Governance Lodge, Health Law Institute, Centre for Constitutional Studies, and Alberta Law Reform Institute.PositionThe University of Alberta Faculty of Law seeks a postdoctoral fellow in intellectual property and entrepreneurial law. The postdoctoral fellowship is a one-year full position (renewable by the Faculty of Law for another one-year term). The anticipated start date for this position is November 1, 2024. The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with Professor Faith Majekolagbe to support the entrepreneurial law program at the Faculty, in particular the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic (ELC).The ELC, launched in 2022, is one of the few transactional law clinics in Canada. The ELC provides law students with robust practical experience in transactional law while offering valuable pro bono legal support to local startup ventures (for-profit and non-profit) lacking access to legal resources and who would otherwise remain under-served by the bar. The ELC also engages in legal educational outreach for the benefit of under-served entrepreneurship communities outside the law school. The ELC is a central part of the entrepreneurial and intellectual property law curriculum at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law.Currently, typical ELC work includes but is not limited to, entity formation and structuring, commercial contracts, provision of legal information on a variety of legal questions, and select intellectual property matters. Current clinic students advise clients regarding the choice of entity for their for-profit or non-profit ventures; help form corporations, prepare shareholders agreements, and draft by-laws and other constitutive documents; handle employment and independent contractor agreements; draft commercial contracts; prepare privacy policies; and assist with intellectual property matters among others.DutiesELC and Related Functions: * Assist with the entrepreneurial law program at the Faculty of Law which consists of a fall term entrepreneurial law course and an entrepreneurial law clinic that runs year-round.

• Develop case studies to support instructional activities in the entrepreneurial law course.
• May be required to guest teach one to two topics in the entrepreneurial law course.
• Create a docket of case files and community outreach projects that will expose students in the ELC to a wide range of entrepreneurial law issues.
• Supervise the work of student clinicians/caseworkers in the ELC, including guiding students on case files, providing written feedback on documentation, and meeting with students as needed.
• Attend and/or facilitate some of the weekly practical seminars of the ELC during the academic year.
• Assist in arranging for volunteer mentoring lawyers who can advise the clinic on case files.
• Participate in interviewing and admitting students into the ELC.
• Organize public legal education seminars on matters related to entrepreneurship law and supervise students in the preparation, publication, and dissemination of free public legal education materials.

Research Functions: * Work on individual and collaborative research on intellectual property and entrepreneurship law.

• The postdoctoral fellow is expected to have a one-year research agenda in intellectual property law (as approved by Professor Majekolagbe) that includes the writing and submission of one journal article in a relevant area of IP law and the presentation of their research at the Faculty of Law Research Seminar in the 2024/2025 Winter term.
• Design (in writing) a research project for the entrepreneurial law clinic on the legal needs of groups of entrepreneurs underrepresented in the Canadian entrepreneurship ecosystem, including legal barriers to success and opportunities for growth for such entrepreneurs.
• Work with Professor Majekolagbe to prepare and submit an external funding proposal for the designed research project.
• Make a seminar presentation at the Faculty of Law (or such other venue determined by Professor Majekolagbe) on the designed research project.

Qualifications

• JD/LLB or equivalent degree and a doctorate in law is required
• Prior formal or clinical teaching experience is considered an asset
• Some transactional legal experience is considered an asset

Application InstructionsPlease click “Apply” and submit the following required documents: * Cover Letter (describing your interest and capacity to meet the key expectations of this position);

• Current Curriculum vitae;
• A maximum 2-page Research Agenda (describing your research to date along with proposed research for this one-year position);
• Please submit under “Research Plan”
• A maximum two-page Teaching Statement (describing your approach to legal education and any prior teaching experience);
• Please submit under “Interests”
• Names and contact information of three referees;
• Please submit under “References”
• Law and graduate transcripts or certificates;
• Please submit under “Other”
• A sample research publication.
• Please submit under “Publications”

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.The University of Alberta is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression; and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight October 23, 2024, Edmonton, Alberta local time.

Company Name: University of Alberta

Salary: $75000 – 82000 per year

Apply for the job!