The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is Hiring 2 Postdoctoral Researchers: Apply Now!
Postdoctoral researcher: Development economics
About the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)
The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) was founded in 1962 and since then has provided knowledge in the form of high-quality research, timely information and extensive documentation on Africa. Over a period of half a century, NAI has remained committed to academic and policy research, information dissemination and documentation on African issues. NAI has followed the trends and development of Africa studies in the Nordic region and in African continent, and also actively initiated new ideas and forms of engagement to fulfil its mission as the main center for African knowledge in the Nordic countries and to serve its stakeholders in the Nordic countries and globally.
NAI is a Swedish government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (not a university) and research staff combine commitment to high quality scholarly outputs with science-policy outreach to decision makers based in the Nordics and Africa. NAI is currently developing a new institutional strategy for the 2022-2026 period whose mission is to ensure Nordic decision makers and associated change makers have a deeper understanding of modern African perspectives and societal dynamics.
NAI is a value-based organization. We have a joint foundation in the national common values for all Swedish governmental agencies and add our own core values of involvement, communication, trust and transparency. We sustain a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion. Everyone has the right to equality in the workplace, to balance his or her career and family life, and to work in a respectful fashion with others without fear of discrimination.
NAI offers a stimulating intellectual environment, an interdisciplinary research orientation, a team of researchers from different social and natural scientific backgrounds, a professional communications unit, and a library with modern facilities. In addition, the institute is linked to an extensive network of research institutions in Africa and the Nordic countries.
Job Description
The candidate is expected to have an excellent record of experience working on the economic analysis of issues and trends relevant to modern Africa, but with good capacity to connect to other research areas and disciplines. Specifically, the candidate is expected to work in areas related to economic growth, trade, public finance, inequality and poverty.
The postdoctoral research will work under the direction of Associate Professor Jörgen Levin: Jörgen Levin – The Nordic Africa Institute (uu.se).
In addition, senior researchers will carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Research.
Essential
- Minimum of a PhD degree in Economics, Development Economics, Development Studies, Political Economy, Global Studies, or International Development.
- The doctoral degree must have been obtained within the last three years, or up to five years if special circumstances apply, prior to the application deadline.
- The candidate must have demonstrated academic experience in the economic analysis of Africa’s development, including research-based policy engagement.
- Strong methodological skills for undertaking empirical research and quantitative analysis, including demonstrated programming experience in STATA
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
- Strong writing ability and capacity to present complex issues in a readable form for both academic and non-academic audiences.
- Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
Merit
- Previous experience of using African household survey data.
- Knowledge of the Nordic policy landscape for engagement with African development.
- Track record of media engagement.
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The application
The application should contain:
- A cover letter of introduction outlining suitability for the position
- A 1-page statement outlining the applicant’s experiences, including quantitative analysis and using STATA.
- Complete CV with a list of scientific publications where it is clearly indicated which publications are formally considered as peer reviewed.
- One to three of the applicant’s own peer review academic publications most relevant to the position. (Either on-line links or electronic copies).
- The names and addresses (phone, e-mail) of at least two referees.
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an electronic interview on Zoom.
Condition of Service
- This is a fixed-term two-year position, with a probationary period of 6 months.
- Duty station is Uppsala, Sweden.
- Salary is negotiable within the Institute’s current salary levels and remuneration packages. The position includes attractive benefits and conditions offered for employees of Swedish civil service.
Starting date as soon as possible, or latest August 2024.
Contact persons:
Jörgen Levin ([email protected]) or Eleanor Fisher ([email protected]), Head of Research. Trade Union representative: Henrik Alfredsson (Saco-S) ([email protected]). All can be reached at +46 18 471 52 00 or [email protected].
More information about the institute’s ongoing research activities, grants, library services and publications are available on the Institute’s website: www.nai.uu.se.
How to apply:
Apply through our online recruitment system, link below.
Closing Date for applications: 18 February 2024
The Institute promotes equal opportunities for all, and good representation of African regions. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
Postdoctoral researcher: Democracy and good governance in Africa
About the Nordic Africa Institute
The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is a Swedish government agency and has a unique mandate to produce research and inform policy which is relevant to support development in Africa. We intend to develop our role further as the Nordic hub for Africa focused research, documentation and policy advice and we are therefore looking for an experienced researcher who is enthusiastic about contributing to NAI’s research and policy work in the coming years.
The Institute has since its establishment in 1962 been an important research, documentation and information centre on modern Africa in the Nordic countries. NAI is jointly financed by the governments of Sweden, Finland and Iceland, and promotes research on and knowledge of contemporary Africa in the Nordic countries, as well as cooperation between mainly African and Nordic researchers. The Institute also disseminates information on current African issues, through publications, seminars, conferences and various policy-related activities.
Providing and supporting in-depth knowledge generation based on the voices of Africans, is fundamental to contribute to more resilient societies and achieving Agenda 2030 on the continent. We are a value-based organisation and believe that you are a person who actively shares your knowledge and are open to do systematic trend analyses beyond your field of expertise.
The Institute is currently implementing a five-year strategy, 2022-2026, which has promoting academic and policy-oriented research programmes on Africa in the Nordic countries as one of its strategic goals. It is in pursuit of this goal that NAI is looking for a post-doctoral researcher in the area of political development with demonstrable experience in academic and policy-relevant research on African issues to join its team of resident researchers.
The position is targeted towards a researcher with current residence and professional affiliation in Finland and for the duration of two years.
As an applicant you should have experience of empirical research on the African continent, be able to work in a social-science led yet interdisciplinary environment, and be open to building your capacity on how to translate knowledge from research into policy relevant messages and policy engagement. Strong communication skills are highly valuable for this position.
NAI offers a stimulating intellectual environment, a team of international researchers from different social and scientific backgrounds, a library with modern facilities, as well as attractive employment conditions. In addition, the Institute is linked to extensive networks of research institutions in Africa and the Nordic countries.
Job Description
From a comparative perspective the research would focus on African experiences and prospects of democracy and good governance, including the state structures, political institutions and regime changes as well as their social, economic and cultural conditions and consequences.
As a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute, you will work closely with Professor Liisa Laakso as your line manager https://nai.uu.se/about-us/person/liisa-laakso.html
In addition, senior researchers will carry out other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Research.
Qualifications
Essential
- A PhD in relevant social science discipline, including political science, international relations, development studies, political geography, etc.
- The doctoral degree must have been obtained within the last three years, or up to five years if special circumstances apply, prior to the application deadline.
- Proven social science methodological skills.
- Experience conducting empirical research in an African context.
- To be eligible to apply for the position you must have an affiliation to a Finnish university or research institute.
- Strong analytical skills including the use of quantitative and/or qualitative research techniques.
- Excellent knowledge of the English language, and competences and skills in effective communication.
Merits
- Expertise in data sources and data processing for comparative research.
- Strong networks within African studies and with other relevant stakeholders in the above-mentioned research field especially in the Nordic region.
- Proven knowledge of policy processes and policy environments.
- Verbal ability in non-English language(s) used on the African continent.
- Knowledge of the Finnish and wider Nordic policy landscape for engagement with African development.
- Track record of media engagement.
The application should contain:
- A cover letter introducing yourself and outlining why you are suitable for the position.
- A complete CV with a list of scientific publications (including books, articles, research reports, policy notes, etc) and research projects conducted/participated, most recent papers presented at conferences, policy consultation with stakeholders.
- One to three sample publications by applicant that relate to the thematic area of research, including the PhD thesis or the results presented in it.
- The names, professional titles and addresses (phone, e-mail) of two references.
As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview on Zoom.
Condition of Service
- This is a fixed-term two-year position, with a probationary period of 6 months.
- Duty station is Uppsala, Sweden.
- Salary is negotiable within the Institute’s current salary levels and remuneration packages. The position includes attractive benefits and conditions offered for employees of Swedish civil service.
Starting date as soon as possible, or latest August 2024.
Contact persons:
Liisa Laakso, Senior Researcher ([email protected]) or Eleanor Fisher ([email protected]), Head of Research. Trade Union representative: Henrik Alfredsson (Saco-S) ([email protected]). All can be reached at +46 18 471 52 00 or [email protected].
More information about the institute’s research focal areas and themes, on-going research activities, strategy/values, scholarship programmes, library services and publications are available on the website: www.nai.uu.se.
How to apply:
Apply through our online recruitment system, link below.
Closing Date for applications: 18 February
The Institute promotes equal opportunities for all, and good representation of African regions. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.
