Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit
For prospective lawyers who have just passed their First or Second State Examination and are interested in gaining their first practical experience in a commercial law firm, we offer the possibility of a Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeit (research assistant position). Whether you want to bridge the gap until the start of your Referendariat or until you start a Master's degree or Doctorate - we offer you a wide range of opportunities to put into practice, and build on, what you have learned during your studies.
We are looking for research assistants throughout the year, so if you are interested, please apply.
What we can offer you
Welcoming culture
Our people make our culture! We have a culture focused on collaboration, communication and equality across all levels of roles, and we want to welcome you into that.
Real working experience
We provide you with a real experience of what it's like to be a lawyer at Ashurst. You'll have the opportunity to work on current legal matters with lawyers, partners and clients on a daily basis.
Flexible work
We offer you flexibility and the freedom to organise your time. You can choose flexible weekly working hours from 2 to 5 working days per week.
Learning & Development
In addition to your daily work in the team, you can participate in all the internal training courses (e.g. specialist lectures, soft skills training, workshops, social events for our Associates and trainee lawyers. You will also have access to our library and databases.
New work
We cultivate a "Duz" culture across all levels and foster a flat hierarchy where we will encourage you to build your autonomy and ability in a supportive environment. We work in small national teams that work closely with our global colleagues on larger matters, and provide you with the technology and support to work remotely and in the office. For us remote working is standard and we financially support you to set up your workspace at home.
The recruitment process
We look for people who have:
a desire to work in a global environment
a team focused attitude
an understanding of the overall economy
a good command of English
passed their first or both state examinations
ideally gained experience in a larger law firm.
You will be required to submit a short application including uploading your CV, most recent academic transcripts and a short cover letter to give us an understanding of who you are and why you're interested in this role.
You are welcome to write your application in either English or German.
You will meet face-to-face with members of your future team for a conversational interview that is designed to assess your personal and technical skills.
It’s also an opportunity for you to find out more about us, so please come prepared with your questions.
Testimonials
"Following an internship, I worked as a law clerk in both the corporate and finance departments. Joining the teams and being integrated into their workflows has been a consistently positive experience. In my most recent role in finance, I had the opportunity to participate in the financing of various financial projects. For instance I worked on the documentation of a tailored securitization. My colleagues always addressed my questions and took the time to familiarize me with this very complex subject matter. My time at Ashurst has been and continues to be highly instructive, characterized by a pleasant and motivating culture."
Manuel F - Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
"I started at Ashurst as a law clerk after my first state exam. The employment team welcomed me warmly and directly involved me in the entire work process. From contract drafting, initial draft pleadings, complex residence law cases, bank remuneration reports to data protection and cookie policies. I am able to help and participate in the preparation both in English and German. Questions are always received positively and answered willingly. I am learning a lot in terms of material as well as procedural law and how to deal with clients directly which already helps to prepare for my life as a future lawyer."
Giulia K - Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin
Applicant Resource Hub
For answers to all your frequently asked questions and information on application & interview tips, the benefits we provide, life at Ashurst, our L&D programmes, and our IDB initiatives.
Visit hub
Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging
Our inclusive and diverse culture stands at the heart of everything we do. For more information on our initiatives and the support we provide please follow the link below.
More informationContact us
If you can’t find answers to your questions on this page or on the Applicant Resource Hub then please contact our Early Careers team.
Agencies
Agency submissions and candidate introductions will only be accepted with prior approval from a member of the Ashurst Talent Acquisition team. To submit or introduce a candidate, an agency must have valid agreed terms of business in place with Ashurst. Any agency submissions or candidate introductions made without prior approval or without the agreed terms of business in place will be considered invalid.
Diversity
We are committed to offering a safe and welcoming environment for our employees and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do we place a strong emphasis on working with people from diverse communities and aim to make a positive impact through our Social Impact programmes.
Speak up!
Ashurst is committed to ensuring an accountable workplace culture. Candidates are encouraged to report any ethical or conduct concerns to our confidential email address: ethics.counsel@ashurst.com.
Please note that this email address should not be used for general enquiries about, or applications for, job positions available at Ashurst as they will not be passed onto the relevant team. Any recruitment enquires should be directed to globalresourcing@ashurst.com.