Fabrizio Esposito

Fair Wear Postdoctoral Fellowship – BIPD nº 2/2026 is a postdoctoral research grant hosted by NOVA School of Law in Lisbon, Portugal, within the project SUST-LABEL (“Implementing the New Requirements for Sustainability Labels and Third-Party Certification Schemes under Directive (EU) 2024/825”). The fellowship is funded by CEDIS thanks to a donation from the Stiching Fair Wear Foundation , and the research is anchored in private law and broader European consumer law and sustainability regulation. The project focuses on how Directive (EU) 2024/825 changes the legal framework for sustainability labels, certification schemes, third-party verification, and consumer-facing sustainability claims. The research will reconstruct the legal and policy background of the Directive, review academic and legislative materials, and analyse how the new rules interact with the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. It will also examine independent verification, competence and independence requirements, monitoring obligations, and the distinction between certification-based labels and other forms of sustainability communication. The fellowship includes practical and scholarly outputs: at least one peer-reviewed article is expected, and the findings will also support the adaptation of Fair Wear’s certification scheme and the compliant use of the Fair Wear label in business-to-consumer communication. Dissemination is planned through seminars, workshops, or other events organised with Fair Wear. Eligibility highlights: applicants must be enrolled for the current academic year as a postdoctoral researcher at NOVA School of Law and hold a PhD in law. Strongly valued experience includes work with certification bodies or conformity assessment, advanced research in European consumer law, sustainability-related legal or regulatory work, an excellent publication record, interdisciplinary expertise, and English proficiency. Duration and funding: the grant lasts up to 6 months, with an expected start date of 1 September 2026 and possible renewal subject to budgetary restrictions. The allowance is paid monthly according to NOVA University Lisbon’s research scholarship regulations. Application deadline: 17 August 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon). Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] with the fellowship reference in the subject line.