Post-Doctoral Researchers

Departments

This placement is for two fixed-term, full-time Post-Doctoral Researchers (ASR-Senior Research Officer), one in the Department of Government and one in the Department of Language and Linguistics.

The Department of Government and the Department of Language and Linguistics conduct world-leading research. Each department has more than 40 full-time academic members.

In your application, please specify whether you are applying for the position in the Department of Government or the position in the Department of Language and Linguistics.

Duties of the Role

The post holders will contribute to delivering the research objectives defined by the Multilingualism, Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities of Practiced Linguistic Diversity grant and research project.

You will work as part of an international collaborative project team and be central in coordinating research activity that will take place in Africa. The project examines the link between multilingualism and conflict and conflict resolution. The project includes key partners in Cameroon, Nigeria, Mozambique, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project also includes collaborators based at the ODI (formerly the Overseas Development Institute).

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found within the job packs.

Qualifications and Skills required

Successful candidates are expected to hold a PhD (or to be close to completion) in an area related to the project aims, either Political Science (or a related discipline) or Linguistics.

You must have an interest in working in sub-Saharan Africa and conducting research in the region jointly with collaborators. An interest in or expertise in African languages, particularly in multilingualism and language practices in the African contexts is an ideal foundation for the role.

The project aims to combine qualitative and quantitative research methods to better understand the link between practiced multilingualism in Africa and the prevalence and outbreaks of violent conflict, as well as conflict resolution. This will involve the use of questionnaires, collection of naturally occurring data, the development of ethnographic case studies, focus groups, interviews, participant observation and the collection of audio and video data.

At the University of Essex, internationalism and diversity is central to who we are and what we do. We are committed to being a cosmopolitan, internationally oriented university that is welcoming to staff and students from all countries, faiths and backgrounds, where you can find the world in one place.

To support this commitment we have our Global Forum, a staff-led network that promotes and celebrates the rich cultural diversity among Essex staff, and our Colchester campus based Faith Centre, which hosts regular services, meetings and events organised by our chaplains and faith representatives. For more information see: https://www.essex.ac.uk/life/student-facilities/religion-and-faith

Please see the attached job pack, which contains a full job description and person specification, which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role plus more information relating to the post. We recommend you read this information carefully before making an application. Applications should be made on-line, but if you would like advice or help in making an application, or need information in a different format, please email the Resourcing Team ([email protected] ).

* More information: Working at the University

Please use the 'Apply' button to read further information about this role including the full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role. You will also find details of how to make your application here.

Our website http://www.essex.ac.uk contains more information about the University of Essex. If you have a disability and would like information in a different format, please email [email protected] .