Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role

We are seeking an enthusiastic, flexible and committed Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join our team for a study focused on the evolution, operationalisation and contestation of regional electoral integrity peer review mechanisms in Africa. You will deliver high-quality research through fieldwork in Cameroon and Gabon, archival research in London and on-site observation of the 2025 Presidential elections in Cameroon. You will spend 0.6 FTE conducting individual research and 0.4 FTE providing research assistance to the Principal Investigator, managing the project web page and participating in research team-wide activities including co-authorship of papers and organising seminars, conferences and talks. 

About You

A PhD in Political Science/Studies or related Social Science discipline, proficiency in English (C2) and French (C2), practical experience working or conducting research in the ECCAS region and prior use of elite interviews as a data collection method are required. You must show proof of a developing publication profile in the form of at least one peer reviewed article in a reputable academic journal.

You must show initiative, willingness to quickly acquire new skills and be a team player. Excellent attention to detail, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently are essential, as are good communication and organisational skills. Knowledge of the ECCAS institutional history, the electoral systems in ECCAS countries and experience of using a range of qualitative data analysis methods, experience of managing and updating web pages and social media platforms for professional communication will be highly valued. You should be willing and available to start on or before June 1, 2025.

About Queen Mary

At QMUL, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. We offer a range of work life balance and family friendly inclusive employment policies, campus facilities and flexible working arrangements.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

Apply:

• One page cover letter that explicitly explains why you are the best candidate for this position.
• 2-page CV that showcases your academic and language qualifications, peer reviewed publications, research/professional experience in Central Africa and relevant achievements.
• 1000-word outline of a proposed research paper to be developed and submitted for publication during the EIPRMs project.  The outline should specify the research question, define the purpose of the study, detail the research design and methods, provide a research timeline up to submission and specify the academic journal where you want to submit this work including a rationale why.