Research assistant, Department of Government

Published: 2023-03-27

Uppsala University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with a strong international standing. Our ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a long-term difference in society. Our most important assets are all the individuals whose curiosity and dedication make Uppsala University one of Sweden’s most exciting workplaces. Uppsala University has over 54,000 students, more than 7,500 employees and a turnover of around SEK 8 billion.

The Department of Government have been conducting research and educating students for 400 years. Today the department provides a vibrant and internationally successful research environment. With around 50 faculty members and 40 PhD-students, the department is recognized as one of the leading political science departments in the Nordic countries. The department’s faculty consists of researchers covering all the major fields of political science. For more information, visit: http://www.statsvet.uu.se 

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We are looking for one research assistant to work within the project “Contested elections and street politics. Comparing protest coalitions in sub-Saharan Africa” (led by Anders Sjögren).

The project started in 2020 with funding from the Swedish Research Council and will run through 2024. The project investigates why and how protests against manipulated elections in electoral autocracies result in cohesive coalitions, and analyses this question through comparative case studies of political protests in Burkina Faso (2014), Burundi (2015), and Kenya (2016-18). A core part of the project revolves around compilation of primary and secondary protest data in relation to these protests. More information about the project can be found here: Contested Elections - Department of Government - Uppsala University, Sweden (uu.se)

Duties
The primary tasks include collection and compilation of primary and secondary data such as newspaper articles and other media material; data collections about electoral protests; grey literature; written documentation from the protest movements; social media communication.

Other tasks include compilation and interpretation and coding of interview data; participating in conducting literature reviews (summarizing and analysing themes and results of previous research); participating in project meetings and contribute with planning, administration, and logistics in relation to project workshop(s); and working with other parts of project administration. Other tasks may be added based on the needs of the project.

The research assistant will cooperate with and report to the project leaders.

Requirements
The applicant must have:

• Bachelor’s degree within political science or a related field (e.g. peace and conflict studies, sociology)
• Documented experience of data collection, including coding
• Attention to detail and exactness, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Good knowledge within the fields of authoritarian rule and social movements
• Excellent proficiency in English (reading and writing)
• Good proficiency in French (reading and writing)

Additional qualifications

• Master’s degree or -studies in political science or a related field
• Experience of working as research assistant
• Other experience related to the topic of the project
• Documented experience of compiling and analysing data
• Documented experience of Excel and/or other relevant programmes

Individual suitability will be considered.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position, 7 months (possible extension). Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 20 August or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: 

Anders Sjögren anders.sjogren@statsvet.uu.se or Jesper Bjarnesen jesper.bjarnesen@nai.uu.se

Please submit your application by 5 May 2023, UFV-PA 2023/1156

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Submit your application through Uppsala University's recruitment system.

Placement: Department of Government

Type of employment: Full time , Special fixed-term employment

Pay: Individual salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100%

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben seko@uadm.uu.se
ST/TCO tco@fackorg.uu.se
Saco-rådet saco@uadm.uu.se

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2023/1156

Last application date: 2023-05-05