Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant Peace, Institutional Design and Ethnicity in Africa at Universiteit Antwerpen

Let’s shape the future – University of Antwerp 

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 about the institute and its activities can be found at www.uantwerpen.be/iob. 

The IOB is looking for a full-time (100%)

Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant Peace, Institutional Design and Ethnicity in Africa 

As a Graduate Teaching & Research Assistant, you are part of the Academic Assistant Staff (Dutch: Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP). You spend at least 50% of your working time preparing a PhD thesis in development studies. In addition, you play an assisting role in teaching, research and service-delivery activities.

Position

• You work on the preparation and defence of a PhD thesis in Development Studies – in English, French or Dutch – on a subject related to peace, institutional design and ethnicity in Africa. Your PhD research is situated at the national level of state institutions, possibly with linkages to the local sub-state and the intergovernmental regional level (African Union, RECs). You investigate how, as a conflict prevention or conflict resolution strategy, ethnic diversity and segmentation is institutionally managed through constitutional design or other governance instruments. You may decide to focus on one country or engage in a comparative analysis. Your PhD contributes to the scholarly literature and policy on nation-building, state-building and peacebuilding in Africa.
• As a tutor and teaching assistant, you provide support with the advanced master programme “Governance and Development” (taught in English).
• You participate in ongoing research projects and/or act as catalyser of research activities at IOB, in particular within the research line “State formation and resilient societies” and at the IOB Great Lakes of Africa Centre (GLAC).
• You play an active role in the academic and societal service-delivery of IOB. 

Profile

• You hold a Master degree in Political Science, in Law, in Development Studies 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 is a plus.
• Previous field research experience in Africa is a plus.
• You have strong intercultural skills. You are willing to do field research and are able to adjust to challenging and changing circumstances. 

What we offer

• We offer an appointment as a Graduate 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. 

Want to apply?

• Check the vacancy text online for all details and contacts