Tag: postdoc

U Agder: Post-doctoral Research Fellow in European Languages in Post-Colonial Africa (Norway)

PostdocsPost-doctoral Research Fellow in European Languages in Post-Colonial Africa,  University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway. Deadline: 15 September 2026.

A fixed-term 100% position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Humanities and Education as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow in European Languages in Post-Colonial Africa: Historical Perspectives (1950-1990), affiliated to the Department of Religion, Philosophy and History, for a period of 3 years. The position is located at Campus Kristiansand. The preferred starting date is the beginning of 2027.

The position is linked to UiA’s research groups “Claimed Pasts: Critical Knowledge and Heritage Production” and “Language and Power.”

Applicants are invited to suggest an empirically and theoretically sound research project which conceptualizes language, and specifically the role of European languages, as an historical object, heuristic device, and analytical lens for understanding African decolonization as a historical process. Their research project might, for example, address

  • the role language played for anticolonial mobilization or post-colonial nation- and state-building processes
  • the late- or post-colonial connections between language, education, and development
  • the role language played for inter- and transnational collaboration and institutions
  • language in relation to African subjectivities, collective identities, and social distinction

Ideally, gender should be a central analytical category rather than an add-on variable in the research project. If convincingly conceptualized, any geographic or linguistic area within Africa and its diaspora is pertinent. Projects that place their research topic in a comparative and connective context and converse with discussions in global history will be particularly relevant.

U Birmingham: Cadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies (UK)

PostdocsCadbury Postdoctoral Fellowship in African Studies,  School of History and Cultures, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. Deadline: 1 September 2026.

The School of History and Cultures seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow in African History for an 18-month fellowship contributing to the University’s research environment and teaching provision. The Fellow will engage in a programme of research agreed with their mentor. They will also support the delivery of African Studies and History programmes in the School of History and Cultures. This post is funded by an endowment that enables members of staff at sub-Saharan African Universities to spend a period of time at the University of Birmingham. The post is therefore limited to applicants currently based on the African continent and affiliated with an African Higher Education Institution

Charles U: Researcher in Comparative Area Studies, Focus on Africa (Czech Republic)

Postdocs

Postdoctoral researcher in Comparative Area Studies, with a Focus on Africa, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. Deadline: 14 September 2026.

The Faculty of Arts, Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in comparative area studies, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. As part of the project funded by Horizon Europe (ERA Chair in Multidisciplinary Area Studies, ERA-AREAS), this post holder will participate in the international research group under the newly established Center for Multidisciplinary Area Studies (CenMAS). The applicant will work closely with the ERA Chair Holder, Prof Mariana Llanos, and the research group leader, Dr. Mahmoud Farag.

The Faculty of Arts belongs among the largest and longest-established centers for area studies research and instruction in Central and Eastern Europe, covering all global regions in its research. By engaging in the ERA-AREAS project, the Faculty seeks to strengthen its area studies programs focused on non-European global regions and Eastern Europe. They invite applications from scholars within area studies whose research demonstrates strong regional expertise and a commitment to addressing globally significant issues through a social science lens. The ideal candidate will employ comparative methodologies and actively engage in disciplinary debates within area studies on critical current events from a comparative perspective. While the specific disciplinary focus of the applicants is secondary (gravitating towards the loosely defined core of sociology, political science, economics, contemporary history or anthropology), the researcher is expected to engage in research of the causes and consequences of contemporary crises in Sub-Saharan Africa which include, in particular, political crises, economic shocks, coups, democratic breakdowns, social protests, early government terminations, threats to democracies, and outbursts of political violence.

U Oslo: Postdoctoral Fellow in Human Geography (Norway)

PostdocsPostdoctoral Fellow in  Human Geography, University of Oslo, Norway. Deadline: 15 May 2026.

There is a vacant position at the Department of Sociology and Human Geography for a postdoctoral fellow (SKO 1352) in human geography. The position is for a period of four years with 25% compulsory work (primarily teaching). The department is ranked as the premier academic research institute in sociology and human geography in Norway, conducting top international research while offering high quality education for students. The department is renowned both for the breadth of topics and methodologies employed and for its highly qualified researchers.

They seek candidates with the potential to contribute to the development of human geography as a discipline at the department. The fellow is expected to pursue independent research, as outlined in their submitted project proposals. Applicants should have research interests that resonate with ongoing research at the department. They currently have strong research communities in the fields of urban studies, sustainable transformations, work, organisations and politics, social inequality, migration, integration and diversity, cultural and political participation, population dynamics. The call is not thematically limited to these topics, but preference can be given to candidates with a potential to contribute to the ongoing academic dialogue in the department.

Applicants must be able to teach in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language in order to meet current teaching needs. Applicants with little or no prior pedagogical competence will be encouraged to acquire basic formal teaching competence by participating in pedagogical training provided by UiO.

U Oslo: Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science (Norway)

PostdocsPostdoctoral Fellow in Political Science, University of Oslo, Norway. Deadline: 16 March 2026.

The Department of Political Science is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow (SKO 1352) with specialization in international politics, comparative politics, or political data science. They are looking for an excellent candidate with the potential of pursuing a long-term career in academia. The successful applicant will be part of the research project, “Waging of War” (WOW), which is funded by the European Research Council. The appointment is a fulltime position for a period of three years. Depending on the candidate’s competence and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period can be extended up to four years for other types of qualification work including various teaching tasks and obligations.

The primary aims of WOW are to investigate how the organization of warring parties influences the conduct of war, and conversely, how the fighting impacts the organizational structure of the belligerents. WOW will theorize, identify, classify, and code the characteristics of state military organizations and non-state armed groups and collect data relating to the dynamics of warfare. We will answer questions such as:

  • How are wars fought?
  • How does the organization of a belligerent party affect the way they wage war?
  • How do the dynamics of the war affect the organization of the fighting parties?

Aston U: Post-doctoral Research Associate on Asylum Accommodation in England (UK)

PostdocsPost-doctoral Research Associate on asylum accommodation in England, School of Law & Social Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. Deadline: 6 February 2026.

Applications are invited for the position of Post-Doctoral Research Associate to work on an ESRC-funded project investigating asylum accommodation in England. The project examines the evolution of contemporary asylum accommodation policy, the conflicts it creates between different institutional and non-institutional actors, and the experiences of people living in accommodation provided by the Home Office. Working within the Department of Society and Politics, the post holder will play a central role in project data collection and analysis, publishing, and knowledge exchange.

The successful candidate will engage in research, external engagement, and citizenship activities. These will include working closely with the project PI, Dr Gaja Maestri, to conduct fieldwork, collect and analyse qualitative data, and collaborate with project research partners. The role also involves presenting papers and posters at international conferences and writing up and publishing research outcomes in high-quality publications.

Applicants must hold a good first degree and a PhD in the social sciences, with a doctoral thesis based on qualitative research methods. The PhD thesis should preferably be submitted before taking up the role. Candidates should have experience in qualitative data analysis and in contributing to conference papers and high-quality publications. The ability to present data concisely, produce written communications to a high standard, and work effectively in a team is essential.

Desirable attributes include a PhD thesis on a migration-related topic and experience of working with non-profit organisations, as well as with migrant and vulnerable groups. Experience in project management and knowledge of the British asylum system will also be advantageous.

NYU: Postdocs in Liberal Studies: Global Works and Society (USA)

Postdocs
Postdoctoral faculty fellows: Global Works and Society, Liberal Studies, New York University, NY, USA.  Deadline: 15 November 2025.

Liberal Studies at New York University invites applications for two Postdoctoral Faculty Fellow positions to begin September 1, 2026, pending administrative and budgetary approval. The Liberal Studies Core is a dynamic liberal arts curriculum that provides a global and interdisciplinary foundation for nearly 100 NYU majors. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual and spatial frameworks to trace the movement of ideas and the interconnectivity of material culture, through the study of different texts, histories, exchanges, structures and systems, languages, arts, and writing from early antiquity through contemporary times. Small seminar-style classes and close faculty-student interaction ensure the benefits of a liberal arts college within a large urban research university. They are especially interested in hiring qualified candidates who can contribute through their research, teaching and service to the intellectual diversity and excellence of the Liberal Studies community.

Liberal Studies Postdoctoral Faculty Fellows teach two courses each semester in the Core Curriculum. Fellows work closely with an assigned Faculty Mentor, they attend pedagogy workshops that explore innovative approaches to interdisciplinary global teaching, and they have the opportunity to lead faculty development workshops or host program wide events in their area of scholarly, creative, or pedagogical expertise.The initial appointment is for one (1) year, and it may be renewed for two additional years, based upon satisfactory performance reviews and mutual agreement. Postdoctoral Faculty Fellows are limited to a maximum of three (3) years in rank; they are non-tenure track.

GLOBAL WORKS AND SOCIETY

PhD in Political Theory, Philosophy, History, or related fields in the social sciences. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to draw on ancient and early modern sources in their teaching with a global emphasis in the Global Works and Society sequence of the Core Curriculum. Candidates must embrace interdisciplinary and intersectional approaches from a variety of global perspectives and must have the ability to examine relationships of power and to interrogate the historical roots of current challenges.

Princeton: Postdocs in International and Regional Studies (USA)

Postdocs
Postdoctoral research fellowships, International and Regional Studies, Princeton University, NJ, USA.  Deadline: 15 September 2025.

The Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) at Princeton University is pleased to announce the call for applications to the PIIRS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for the 2026-27 academic year. As a leading global institution in interdisciplinary research on international issues, PIIRS is dedicated to advancing innovative scholarship that addresses the world’s most pressing challenges. The PIIRS Postdoctoral Fellows Program is integral to that mission.

They will award two postdoctoral fellowships to the 2026-27 cohort. PIIRS seeks recent PhDs in the Social Sciences who have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, congruent with the Institute’s intellectual focus, that simultaneously advances theoretical debates in their disciplinary field; creatively speaks to and engages with a multidisciplinary audience; and deepens substantive regional knowledge of specific places.

Appointments are for one year (12 months) with the possibility of renewal pending satisfactory performance and continued funding. Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs) are expected to be in residence at Princeton or the local vicinity for the entire academic year or demonstrate to the program’s satisfaction the ability to be on campus on a daily basis and on short notice in order to fulfill responsibilities relating to in-person participation. The position requires PDRAs to be on campus at least four days per week.

U Reading: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Languages & Cultures (UK)

Postdocs
Postdoctoral research associate: Nation of Refuge, Languages and Cultures, University of Reading, UK.  Deadline: 5 September 2025.

The University of Reading is seeking a Postgraduate Research Associate (PDRA) starting 01/11/2025, fixed term until 31/10/2029, full time (1FTE). This post forms part of a 4-year research project ‘Nation of Refuge’, funded by a UKRI Future Leader’s Fellowship and led by Dr Ellen Pilsworth (University of Reading). The project explores Britain’s track record of offering refuge to asylum seekers and refugees from ca. 1930 to the present, exploring the perspectives of refugees and ‘ordinary’ British citizens, and their interactions with institutions and the state, throughout the period. The successful candidate will collect and analyse mid-late twentieth-century material from mostly unpublished sources in UK archives; contribute to physical and digital exhibition curation; produce high-quality academic publications; contribute to academic symposia; and contribute to the university’s research culture.

You will have 1) a completed PhD in a Humanities subject, preferably History, Cultural/Literary Studies, or Social Sciences, 2) Expertise relevant to the topic of refuge/asylum in the UK in the mid-late twentieth century, or to post- Second World War UK immigration more broadly (including contemporary immigration/asylum), and 3) A research record commensurate to your academic experience. Relevant language skills are desirable, but not a requirement for the post. Preference may be given to candidates who have experience of working with national and international archives that are relevant to this project, particularly those relating to the Ugandan Asian Expulsion.

Osnabrück U: Postdoctoral Researcher in Reflexive Migration Research (Germany)

Postdocs

Postdoctoral Researcher in Reflexive Migration Research, Osnabrück University, Osnabrück, Germany. Deadline: 25 June 2025.

The DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centre ›Production of Migration‹ (SFB 1604) examines the conditions and functions of the social production and negotiation of migration across disciplines. The aim of SFB 1604 is to establish reflexive migration research as an approach to the study of society. SFB 1604 is located at Osnabrück University (Germany) – a university with diverse research activities that attract students and scientists from all over the world to a city with a high quality of life. The SFB 1604 is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) (Salary level E 13 TV-L, 100%). The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is initially limited to two years.

Your tasks:

  • Development and submission of a high-quality funding proposal (Heisenberg Programme (DFG), ERC Grant, Emmy Noether Programme (DFG) or comparable programmes) for a research project within the topics of the Collaborative Research Centre by mid-2026. In terms of concept and research focus, the project should be closely aligned with the Collaborative Research Centre and deepen and/or supplement its ongoing work.

  • On-site participation in the events and activities of the SFB in Osnabrück

  • Active participation in the theoretical development of the SFB and its publication projects