The Nordic Africa Institute invites applications for two positions as Researcher

One position is with focus on North Africa and one with focus on southern Africa

Closing date for applications: 7 February 2012

The researchers will conduct research with a focus on North Africa and southern Africa respectively from April 2012 to March 2013. The institute’s research has been organized around 4 distinct clusters in order to deepen intellectual interaction and collaboration between researchers.   The researchers will be part of the cluster for conflict, security and democratic transformation and should prove a research interest within the cluster. 

With a focus on the thematic of the cluster the researcher should work on the following tasks: 

1. Writing and submitting at least one research proposal for future NAI research in the geographic region

2. Write policy and academic papers relating to region for NAI and cluster

3. Engage with research networks in the region

The work will be coordinated together with the cluster and lead by the cluster leader. 

The researcher will also participate in the activities pertaining to NAI´s scholarship programmes, planning seminars and workshops, and information dissemination.

Principal Qualifications: 

• A PhD degree or at least a Master degree in a social science or humanities discipline  
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Strong writing ability and capacity to present complex issues in a readable form for both academic and non-academic audiences.
• Contacts with researchers, policy makers and other relevant actors.

• Capacity for interaction with actors outside the academic community. Familiarity with the goals and strategies of key Nordic and international organizations and institutions.
• Knowledge of Nordic and African institutions and civil society organizations.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

The application

The application should contain:

A.  A proposal not exceeding 3 pages. It should include the applicant’s
1. Research questions, theory and method;
2. Network strategies (with particular reference towards Africa and the Nordic countries);
3. Strategy for dissemination of research results (including a statement of intent on how to contribute to policy advice).

B.  A complete CV with a list of publications.

C.  Copies of the applicant’s own publications relating to his/her research (a maximum of three publications).

D.  The names and addresses (phone, fax, e-mail) of at least two referees.

Contract period will be one year. Salary is negotiable within the current levels at the Institute.

Contact persons:
Mats Utas, Cluster Leader, +46 18 56 22 32
Eva-Lena Svensson, Human Resources Manager, +46 18 56 22 12. Trade Union representatives: Agneta Rodling (ST-ATF) and Ingela Dahlin (SACO). All can be reached at +46 18 56 22 00.

For more information about NAI’s ongoing research activities, grants, library services and publications is available on the Institute’s website: www.nai.uu.se

The application should be sent:
a) preferable by email to nai@nai.uu.se. (Including publications to the extent possible or by indication of internet addresses where they might be available).

b) in hard copy by regular post to The Nordic Africa Institute, P. O. Box 1703, SE–751 47 Uppsala, Sweden

Closing Date for applications:  7 February 2012

NAI is committed to an Equal Opportunities Policy in employment and since the institute strives for a balanced proportion of men and women, women are particularly encouraged to apply for the position.