Graduate teaching & research assistant Peace, institutional design and ethnicity in Africa

Department: Institute of Development Policy (IOB)
Regime Full-time

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The Institute of Development Policy (IOB)  of the University of Antwerp wants to contribute to a more just and sustainable world through multidisciplinary academic research, education, partnerships and political engagement.

The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) has the following full-time (100%)  vacancy:

Graduate teaching & research assistant in the field of Peace, institutional design and ethnicity in Africa

Position

As a graduate teaching & research assistant, you are part of the Academic Assistant Staff (Dutch: Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP). You spend at least 50% of your working time preparing a PhD thesis in development studies. In addition, you play an assisting role in teaching, research and service-delivery activities.

PhD research

• You work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in Development Studies – in English, French or Dutch – on a subject related to peace, institutional design and ethnicity in Africa. Your PhD research is situated at the national level of state institutions, possibly with linkages to the local sub-state and the intergovernmental regional level (African Union, RECs). You investigate how, as a conflict prevention or conflict resolution strategy, ethnic diversity and segmentation is institutionally managed through constitutional design or other governance instruments.  You may decide to focus on one country or engage in a comparative analysis. Your PhD contributes to the scholarly literature and policy on nation-building, state-building and peacebuilding in Africa. 
• You organise your own PhD research and report on your progress regularly.
• You participate in a doctoral training programme, for instance by participating in courses offered by the Antwerp Doctoral School  and/or CERES  doctoral school in order to enhance your doctoral research skills.
• You present the findings of your PhD research at academic conferences and you publish in scientific publications (among which IOB’s own publication outlets ). You also communicate your findings to non-scientific audiences (among which IOB’s own Analysis and Policy Briefs ).
• You contribute to the research related activities organized by the community of IOB PhD students.

Education

• As a tutor and teaching assistant, you provide support with the advanced master programme “Governance and Development” (taught in English).

Research

• You participate in ongoing research projects and/or act as catalyser of research activities at IOB, in particular within the research line “State formation and resilient societies” and at the IOB Great Lakes of Africa Centre  (GLAC).
• You become an active player in African and wider international research networks and/or IOB’s institutional partnerships dealing with topics relevant for your PhD.
• You contribute to attracting national and international research funding.

Service-delivery

• You play an active role in the academic and societal service-delivery of IOB.
• You contribute to IOB’s external and international visibility.
• You assist in student selection and serve on internal IOB boards and committees.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Political Science, in Law, in Development Studies or in a related social science discipline, or you will have obtained it by the time you start working.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your research qualities are in line with the Institute and university research policies .
• You are willing and able to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective and consider multiple research methods.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision .
• You are motivated to work actively on your professional development.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are fluent in English. Knowledge of French is a plus.
• Previous field research experience in Africa is a plus.
• You have strong intercultural skills. You are willing to do field research and are able to adjust to challenging and changing circumstances.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a graduate teaching & research assistant for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed twice up to a maximum period of six years.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale  for an assistant (Academic Assistant Staff, AAP).     
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned starting date is 1 September 2024.
• You will do most of your work at the University of Antwerp City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here  and discover all the other benefits .

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 29 February 2024 (by midnight Belgian time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and include the following document(s):
  • (1) a motivation letter,
  • (2) your CV,
  • (3) a preliminary research proposal for your PhD (500 to 1000 words, in English).
• The selection committee will review all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions  or send an email to [email protected] . If you have any questions about the vacant position, please contact prof.dr. Stef Vandeginste ([email protected] ).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award  for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity  and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.