Research Director

The Institute has, since its founding in 1962 been an important research, documentation and information centre on modern Africa in the Nordic countries. It is jointly financed by the Nordic countries, and promotes both research and studies on Africa in the Nordic countries and co-operation between mainly African and Nordic researchers. NAI also disseminates information on current African issues, through publications, seminars, conferences and various policy-related activities.

The Research Director heads the research department, which at present employs 10 full-time researchers. The primary tasks of the successful candidate will be to coordinate and manage the Institute’s research activities, to develop ideas with regard to new research themes and strategies in collaboration with other researchers at the Institute, and to conduct his/her own research at an international level. The Research Director will be a member of the Institute’s management group, where he/she is expected to represent the interests of the researchers and to participate in the general development of the Institute. Also included in the responsibilities of the Research Director are the coordination of policy and research dialogue, and promotion of the research profile and visibility of the Institute.

The Research Director will be supported by a personal assistant and is expected to conduct own research on a half-time basis. Contract period will be five years with the possibility of an extension.

Principal qualifications

• advanced university degree in a social science/humanities discipline and several years of continuous post-doctoral academic work
• research publications on issues of modern Africa at a high international level
• extensive research experience, including research coordination, with focus on current African issues
• capacity to articulate a research vision and promote a creative and collegial environment for all research staff
• good listening, communication and interpersonal skills
• excellent mentoring and managerial skills
• excellent knowledge of English
• good knowledge of, and contacts with African researchers and research institutions

Additional qualifications

• Knowledge of French, Portuguese and/or other relevant languages
• knowledge of research institutions and funding bodies in the Nordic countries

Applicants will be expected to present themselves at a NAI staff meeting, and in an extensive interview with the recruitment committee.

More information about the Institute's ongoing research activities, grants, library services and publications is available on this website.

Closing Date for applications: 30 November 2006

The application should be addressed to
The Council of the Nordic Africa Institute, P.O. Box 1703, SE–751 47 Uppsala, Sweden

Download the application form (pdf) or
request it from:
Nordiska Afrikainsitutet, P.O. Box 1703, SE-751 47, Uppsala, Sweden

Contact persons

Carin Norberg, Director
+46 18 56 22 65, (carin.norberg@nai.uu.se)

Eva-Lena Svensson, Human Resources Manager
+46 18 56 22 12, (eva-lena.svensson@nai.uu.se)

Trade Union representatives: Gunnar Lindbom, (ST-ATF) and
Ingela Dahlin, (SACO). Both can be reached at +46 18 56 22 00.

The Institute is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy in employment.