Research Assistant in Politics
University of Antwerp
Belgium

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) of the University of Antwerp wants to contribute to a more just and sustainable world through multidisciplinary academic research, education, partnerships and political engagement. More information can be found at www.uantwerpen.be/iob.

The Institute of Development Policy (IOB) has the following full-time (100%) vacancy: teaching & research assistant in the field of politics and/or conflict around natural resources

Position

As a teaching & research assistant, you will be part of the Academic Assistant Staff (Dutch: Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP). You will spend at least 50% of your working time preparing a PhD thesis in development studies.  The remaining time will be divided among teaching and internal service delivery support (30%), research & societal service delivery support (10%) and career development activities (10%).

PhD research

• You will work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in Development Studies – in English or French - in the field of politics and/or conflicts around natural resources at the national level. Focusing on Uganda and/or DR Congo, you will study the politics and/or conflict around for example oil, land, forests, minerals; or the politics and/or conflict of protected areas. Important is that the national level – the role of the state - takes a central role in your analysis, which can be in combination with the local level or international level. This can include -but is not limited to- for instance the political settlement around one or more of these resources in Uganda or DR Congo; the role of militarized conservation strategies in these countries; or the role and politics of the conservation organisations managing parks (on a national or international scale).
• You will carry out field research.
• You will organise your own PhD research and report on your progress regularly, in collaboration with your supervisor.
• You will participate in the doctoral study programme at the Antwerp Doctoral School to support your PhD pathway.
• You will present the findings of your PhD research at academic conferences and you will publish in scientific publications.
• You will also communicate your findings to non-scientific audiences.
• You will contribute to attracting national and international research funding.

Education

• You will provide support with tutoring and teaching in the advanced Master programmes “Governance and Development” and/or “Globalisation and Development” and/or “Development Evaluation and Management” (taught in English).

Research

• You will participate in ongoing research projects and activities at IOB, in particular the research lines “Global governance and inclusive development” and/or “State formation resilient societies” and/or “Environment and Sustainable Development”.
• You will collaborate with partner institutes in Africa.

Services

• You will play an active role in the academic and societal service-delivery of IOB (e.g. provide support to IOB’s ICP Connect programme, which partners with universities in Africa for joint education). You will assist in student selection and serve on internal IOB boards and committees.

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Development Studies, Political Sciences, or in a related social science discipline, or you will have obtained it by the time you start working.
• You can demonstrate excellent study results.
• Your research qualities are in line with the Institute and university research policies.
• You are willing and able to adopt a multidisciplinary perspective and consider multiple research methods.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
• You are motivated to work actively on your professional development.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You are fluent in English. Knowledge of French and other languages spoken in DR Congo or Uganda is a plus.
• Previous field research experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly valued.
• You have strong intercultural competences. You are committed to conducting field research and are able to flexibly adjust to challenging circumstances.

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a teaching & research assistant for a period of two years. Following a positive evaluation, the appointment can be renewed twice up to a maximum period of six years.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scale for an assistant (Academic Assistant Staff, AAP).
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 September 2025.
• You will do most of your work at the city campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 13 January 2025 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don’t forget to include the following document(s):The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. The selection interviews will be organised on 12 March 2025.
  • a motivation letter
  • your CV
  • a preliminary research proposal for your PhD (500 to 1000 words).
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact kristof.titeca@uantwerpen.be.

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.