University of Oxford Opens Applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Quantitative Political Science (Voter ID Project) 2026
The University of Oxford has announced applications for a fully funded Postdoctoral Research Fellow position in Quantitative Political Science under the Voter ID Project at the Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR).
The opportunity is ideal for researchers with expertise in survey experiments, quantitative methods, political behaviour, and data analysis who are looking to contribute to cutting-edge research on democratic participation and electoral policy in the United Kingdom.
The position is based at the Department of Politics and International Relations and will run for 12 months on a full-time fixed-term contract beginning in September 2026. Applications are open until 26 June 2026.
The project is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and led by Professor Petra Schleiter in collaboration with Professor Margit Tavits and Professor Jonathan Homola. The research focuses on examining the effects of mandatory voter identification laws in the UK, particularly in a context where there is no national ID card system.
Researchers selected for the fellowship will contribute to original survey experiments and historical analyses connected to voter ID implementation in Northern Ireland and English local authorities that participated in voter ID trials during 2018 and 2019. The project aims to better understand how voter ID requirements influence voter behaviour, political participation, and public attitudes toward elections.
About the Fellowship
The successful candidate will work closely with the principal investigators and research team to support the development and implementation of advanced political science research methodologies. Responsibilities include:
- Designing survey experiments
- Coding and testing survey instruments
- Monitoring survey data collection processes
- Conducting data quality checks
- Developing and adapting quantitative research methods
- Managing independent research tasks and project deliverables
The role is particularly suited for scholars interested in comparative politics, electoral behaviour, democratic governance, and public policy evaluation.
Applicants are expected to hold, or be close to completing, a doctorate in political science or a related discipline. Strong expertise in quantitative research methods, survey design, survey data analysis, and proficiency in the R programming language are essential requirements.
Salary and Benefits
The fellowship offers a salary ranging from £39,424 to £43,984 per year under Research Grade 7.
In addition to the salary, the University of Oxford provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 38 days of annual leave including public holidays
- Generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave schemes
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Contributory pension scheme
- Discounted commuting and travel support
- Access to university sports, cultural, and social clubs
The fellowship also provides an opportunity to work within one of the world’s leading political science departments, ranked among the best globally for politics and international relations research.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A completed or near-completed PhD in Political Science or a related field
- Experience with survey experiments and survey data analysis
- Advanced quantitative research skills
- Strong knowledge of research design methodologies
- Experience using R for statistical analysis
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment
Experience managing large datasets and conducting rigorous empirical analysis will be considered an advantage.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Oxford Voter ID Project comes at a critical moment in global democratic governance debates. Across many countries, voter identification laws continue to generate discussions around electoral integrity, political participation, and voter accessibility. This fellowship offers researchers the chance to contribute evidence-based insights to one of the most important contemporary policy discussions in democratic politics.
For early-career scholars interested in academia, policy research, or public affairs, the fellowship also provides valuable experience working on large-scale interdisciplinary research projects with internationally recognized experts.
Exclusive Insight for Applicants
Candidates applying for this fellowship should recognize that Oxford is likely seeking more than technical competence alone. Competitive applicants will probably demonstrate the ability to connect quantitative methods with broader political implications and real-world democratic challenges.
Some strategic areas applicants may want to emphasize include:
- Experience translating complex quantitative findings into policy-relevant insights
- Familiarity with political behaviour research or electoral systems
- Demonstrated ability to work with survey firms or large public datasets
- Evidence of collaborative interdisciplinary research
- Strong coding and reproducibility practices in R
- Interest in democratic participation and public trust in institutions
Applicants who can clearly show both methodological sophistication and substantive political understanding may stand out strongly in the selection process. Since the project examines politically sensitive issues surrounding voter access and electoral rules, researchers who can balance analytical rigour with careful interpretation of findings are likely to be particularly attractive candidates.
Additionally, candidates with publication potential or prior experience presenting research at academic conferences may strengthen their applications further. Oxford research environments are highly collaborative and internationally visible, meaning fellows are often expected to contribute not only to project outputs but also to broader academic conversations.
The fellowship may also serve as an important career stepping stone toward permanent academic appointments, policy research institutes, international governance organizations, or think tanks focused on democracy and public policy.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted online through the University of Oxford recruitment portal before:
26 June 2026 (12:00 PM UK time)
Applicants will need to upload:
- A recent CV
- A supporting statement outlining qualifications and suitability for the role
The reference number for the position is 186584.
For more information, applicants can contact the DPIR HR Team via email at [email protected].
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel
Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding
