Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Mapping Connections

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

This new full-time post is available on a fixed-term contract from 1st August 2023 to 1st June 2024. The role offers the opportunity for hybrid working – some time on the Exeter Streatham campus and some from home.

The post

The Faculty wishes to recruit a Postdoctoral Research Fellow as part of the ‘Mapping Connections: China and Contemporary Development in the Middle East” project, funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and led by Professor Adam Hanieh at the Institute for Arab and Islamic Studies (IAIS). This project aims to create new research on the Middle East’s evolving relationship with China, and explores the implications of this relationship for social, political, and economic development in the region. In addition to creating new knowledge about China and the Middle East, the project supports and mentors Early Career Researchers, and seeks to strengthen academic collaboration between scholars working on these themes at an international level.

The successful applicant will undertake research on an aspect of China’s evolving relationship with the Middle East. Of particular interest is research into the relationships between China and modern political and social movements in the Middle East, either in earlier periods of the 20th century or in the contemporary moment. The candidate will also be expected to support the project in other ways, including the organisation of events and workshops, developing material for the project website, social media outreach, and project reporting.   

About you

The successful applicant will be able to develop research objectives, projects and proposals; identify sources of research funding and contribute to the process of securing funds and make presentations at conferences and other events.

Applicants will be an Early Career Scholar with a PhD or equivalent qualification/experience in a related field of study obtained within the last five years. The successful applicant will possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to develop research programmes and methodologies. The successful applicant will also be able to work collaboratively, supervise the work of others and act as team leader as required. Applicants will have strong Arabic-language skills and experience conducting research in the Middle East.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines to produce internationally exciting research;
• Support teams that understand the University wide research and teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development
• Our Exeter Academic initiative supporting high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career

• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

For further information please contact Prof Adam Haneih -  [email protected]

The closing date for completed applications is 10th April 2023.  Interviews will; take place shortly after.