Nordic Africa Institute Postdoctoral Researchers 2024 – Call for Applications to all nationalities

Nordic Africa Institute Postdoctoral Researchers 2024 – Call for Applications to all nationalities. Apply below.

When is Application Deadline:

18th February 2024

Tell Me About Nordic Africa Institute Postdoctoral Researchers Award:

Are you passionate about contributing to the understanding of contemporary African issues? Are you seeking a dynamic and intellectually engaging work environment? Look no further – the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) invites you to join our committed international team based in the picturesque old university town of Uppsala.

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Embracing Diversity in Perspectives

At NAI, we take pride in the diversity of our staff, who hail from various professional backgrounds and disciplines. This diversity enriches our work environment and fosters a wide range of perspectives on the complex issues facing Africa today. We recognize and value the unique competencies that each staff member brings to the table.

Opportunities for Growth and Engagement

NAI is not just a workplace; it’s a platform for intellectual engagement, skills development, and network building. We believe in investing in our staff members and providing them with opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or a budding researcher, there’s a place for you in our collaborative community.

Discover Who We Are

Before embarking on your journey with NAI, take the time to learn more about us, our vision, and our strategic approach. Understanding our organizational ethos will give you valuable insights into how you can contribute to our mission.

Current Vacancies

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and be a part of a vibrant international community, explore our current vacancies. We have exciting opportunities available for individuals passionate about:

1. Postdoctoral Researcher: Development Economics
   • Dive into the complexities of economic development in Africa and contribute your expertise to our research initiatives.
2. Postdoctoral Researcher: Democracy and Good Governance in Africa
   • Explore the nuances of democratic governance on the African continent and contribute to shaping policies for the betterment of society.

Which Fields are Eligible?

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.

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.

Type:

Research

How Many Awards?

2

How to Apply for Nordic Africa Institute Postdoctoral Researchers:

• Postdoctoral Researcher: Development Economics
• Postdoctoral Researcher: Democracy and Good Governance in Africa

Visit Award Webpage for Details