Research Associate in African Democracy and Political Parties at University of Strathclyde (Fully Funded Postdoctoral Opportunity in the UK)

The Department of Government and Public Policy at the prestigious University of Strathclyde is inviting applications for the position of Research Associate under the groundbreaking European Research Council-funded project titled Political Parties in Africa and Democracy (PPADEM).

This exciting postdoctoral opportunity is designed for emerging scholars who are passionate about African politics, democratic governance, political institutions, elections, comparative politics, and large-scale empirical research. The role offers successful candidates the chance to join an internationally recognized team of scholars working on one of the largest studies of political parties ever conducted globally.

The position is fixed-term for 24 months and provides an excellent platform for early-career academics to build a strong international research profile while contributing to high-impact scholarship on democracy and political parties in Africa.

Salary and Employment Details

Successful applicants will receive:

• Salary ranging between £37,694 – £46,049
• Full-time employment (35 hours per week)
• A fixed-term contract lasting 24 months
• Opportunities for international collaboration and publication
• Exposure to leading researchers and institutions in African politics and democracy studies

Application Deadline

29 May 2026

About the PPADEM Project

The Political Parties in Africa and Democracy (PPADEM) project is a major international research collaboration involving:

• University of Strathclyde
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
• University of Bristol
• University of Reading

The project seeks to understand the major drivers behind democratic decline and democratic progress across Africa by conducting the most comprehensive empirical study of political parties ever undertaken.

Researchers involved in the project aim to answer critical questions such as:

1. What role do political parties play in democratisation processes in Africa?
2. Under what conditions do political parties strengthen or weaken democracy?
3. How can political parties across Africa be supported to defend and expand democratic governance?

This project represents a unique opportunity to contribute to research with real-world political and policy relevance across the African continent.

What the Successful Candidate Will Do

The selected Research Associate will play a central role in the implementation and success of the PPADEM project.

Responsibilities will include:

1. Data Collection and Analysis

The successful candidate will:

• Collect country-level and organizational-level data on African political parties
• Analyse and archive political and survey data
• Support the creation of a large cross-national dataset

2. Survey Design and Research Development

Researchers will:

• Assist in developing research instruments
• Help design constituency elite surveys
• Contribute to party headquarters and branch studies
• Develop sampling strategies for fieldwork and surveys

3. Pilot Studies and Field Research

The position involves:

• Supporting pilot studies
• Testing survey tools and methodologies
• Participating in data validation and refinement processes

4. Academic Publishing and Conferences

Successful applicants will:

• Present findings at local and international conferences
• Participate in workshops and scholarly meetings
• Contribute to co-authored and sole-authored publications
• Work toward publication in leading peer-reviewed journals

5. Research Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

The Research Associate will:

• Assist in organizing seminars and project meetings
• Participate in skills-sharing activities
• Engage stakeholders and support dissemination of findings
• Work closely with an international team of senior and early-career scholars

Essential Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A PhD in Political Science or a closely related social science discipline
• Strong skills in survey design
• Strong skills in survey data analysis
• Expertise in comparative politics

The PhD must be completed no later than the date on which the appointment decision is made.

Desirable Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• A publication record appropriate to career stage
• Experience in research coordination or project management
• Expertise in elections, public opinion, political parties, or African politics
• Experience in qualitative research methods such as:
  • Interview research
  • Archival research
  • Case study analysis

Personal Attributes Required

The university is seeking candidates who demonstrate:

• Ability to work collaboratively in research teams
• Leadership potential
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete the university’s online application form and provide the names of two referees.

In addition, candidates must submit the following documents:

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
   • Maximum two pages
   • Explain why you are suitable for the role
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Research Plan
   • Maximum two pages
   • Outline your research strategy for the next two years
   • Explain how your research aligns with the PPADEM project
4. Writing Sample
   • Working paper
   • Journal article
   • Published chapter or similar academic work
5. Submit your application documents by registering first HERE.

Interview Information

Formal interviews are expected to take place during the week beginning 15 June 2026.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This position offers a rare opportunity for scholars interested in African democracy, governance, and political institutions to contribute to internationally significant research. Researchers will gain:

• International academic exposure
• High-level research experience
• Opportunities for publication
• Networking opportunities with leading scholars
• Experience working on one of the largest political party studies globally

For early-career researchers aiming to build a long-term academic career in comparative politics, democracy studies, or African political research, this role provides exceptional professional development opportunities.

For more details, visit the official University of Strathclyde opportunity page HERE.

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