Research Fellow - Making Africa Urban

About us

University College London (UCL) is one of the world's top universities. Based in the heart of London, it is a dynamic, outward-looking institution. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today.

The UCL Department of Geography is a leading UK and global department, with a heritage of excellence in research across a broad range of research themes .

About the role

The postholder will be part of a research team led by Prof Jennifer Robinson, for a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant-funded project, Making Africa Urban: the transcalar politics of large-scale urban development. Team members are also located in Accra, Dar es Salaam, Lilongwe and Johannesburg. You will work closely with the Prof Robinson to develop and direct a programme of comparative urban research within the framework of the grant.

The post holder will be involved in establishing collaborative relations and making logistical arrangements for undertaking research on line and in person in the selected case study cities, and sustaining regular interactions across the entire project team to achieve the planned research. The appointee will also write and contribute to writing academic outputs of the highest international standard.

See the project website for further details: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/urban-lab/research/research-projects/making-africa-urban-transcalar-politics-large-scale-urban-development .

Funding is available at Grade 7, spine point 30. This is a full time, fixed term post with funding available for one year. The appointment will be from 1 April 2024, or an agreed time after that.

Please see full advert for more information.

Applications should include:

• Your full CV
• A 2 page statement, based on the information on the project website, about how your current research interests fit into the Making African Urban programme of research, particularly relating to private sector financing and investment in Africa.
• A 1000 word research proposal (excluding references from the word count) for a study of private sector financing and investment (private transnational circuits) shaping African urban development, which would advance the overall goals of the project.

Application deadline: 23:59 Wednesday 28th February 2024
Interviews: After 6th March 2024, exact date TBC

Further details of the department are at https://www.geog.ucl.ac.uk/

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof. Jennifer Robinson ([email protected] ).  

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the department’s research administration team: [email protected]

About you

Applicants must hold a PhD in urban studies, or related urban field and have research experience in an African urban context relevant to the research project (especially Accra, Lilongwe, Dar es Salaam).

Knowledge of key debates in African and global urban studies, especially in relation to private sector financing and investment in urban development and experience with using relevant research methods, including in-depth interviews with key informants, compiling case studies, discourse and document analysis is essential.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-Site nursery
• On-site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits  to find out more.