Postdoctoral fellow in geopolitics and regional cooperation in the Middle East - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Political Science and the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) announce one vacant position as a 2-year postdoctoral fellow on geopolitics and regional cooperation in the Middle East. The postdoctoral position is fully funded for 2 years and placed at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies. 

Project description 
The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW). The research program consists of four research themes: 1) Environment and sustainable development; 2) Security and sustainable peace; 3) Democratization, migration and sustainable socio-economic development; and 4) Religion, identity and culture. For more details about the MECW program: https://www.cmes.lu.se/middle-east-contemporary-world-mecw

The postdoctoral position aims to study shifting geopolitical structures and regional power dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa. The MENA region is today witnessing a combination of upheavals, conflicts, and civil wars, but also increasing diplomatic activities and greater cooperation. The increased involvement of China and Russia, changing relationships between Arab countries and Israel as well as competition for regional leadership while the US is disengaging are examples of such changes. The project aims to explore this shifting geopolitical landscape, the ongoing and potential of wider multilateral cooperation initiatives in the MENA region. It will also identify risk and challenges in terms of regional power reconfiguration, political stability, regional security, and cooperation. 

Main responsibilities  
The main responsibility for the postdoctoral fellow is to conduct research within the MECW research program in collaboration with other CMES researchers. Research tasks will include data collection through both quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis and dissemination of results through publications in scholarly journals and conference presentations, as well as participation in outreach activities. The research should advance knowledge about the current changing geopolitics and regional cooperative structures in the MENA region. The position is placed at the Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.  

Qualifications requirements 
Postdoctoral positions are primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country. 

Assessment criteria 
The degree must have been completed before the application deadline and no more than three years prior to it. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area. 

Special consideration will be given to the scientific skills and merits of the applicant. We seek candidates with a PhD in Political Science, Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations, Development Studies, or Peace and Conflict Studies. Experience from previous studies of geopolitics, diplomacy, regional power and cooperation in the MENA region is a merit. We are particularly interested in candidates with a background in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Additional merits include a capacity to work in an international cross-disciplinary team of researchers and to communicate research findings to wider audiences beyond academia. The candidate must have excellent skills in written academic English. Excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team and independently, and to complete activities on time.  

We offer 
Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further information 
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral fellow”). The starting date is at the earliest 1 January 2024 or as per agreement. 

Application 
Apply for the position in Lund University's recruitment system Varbi. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement and that it is submitted before the 20 November 2023. 

Please include the following documents with your application:

• Cover letter
• CV: degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:

– why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement
– why and how you wish to complete the project
– what makes you suitable for the project in question

• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files). 

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) was established in 2007 to support, coordinate and expand on research at Lund University on the Middle East. CMES coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW) since 2009. The Strategic Research Area includes more than thirty-five scholars from five different faculties at Lund University.