Research Associates

Research Associates are paid members of staff, usually employed on a two- or three-year contract. They are offered offices in the Centre of Islamic Studies and are expected to make a major contribution to the research and outreach aims of the Centre.

The Centre advertises for applications for new Research Associates when one of the existing positions is due to become vacant. The adverts are usually placed in April preceding the term in which the successful candidate will start work (usually in October). Adverts are placed on the Centre’s website, the University of Cambridge Job Opportunities page, as well as on jobs.ac.uk.

Research Associates are expected to design and conduct independent and original research into themes relating to Islam in the global age. Proposals relating to Islam or Muslim life in Europe and the United Kingdom are particularly welcome. The post-holders will support and maintain the University’s national and international reputation for excellence in research and public engagement. They will carry out research at a similar level to that undertaken by lecturing staff; this will provide substantial scope for academic judgement, originality, interpretation and presentation of results.

Alongside their research, a central part of the post-holders’ roles will be to generate innovative public engagement activities, with the aim of spreading a critically informed understanding of their research topics beyond the University. In order to achieve this, they will propose and implement a defined programme of outreach activities aiming to raise the profile of their subjects and engaging communities beyond the bounds of the University. Examples of successful research proposals with a strong outreach component are Dr Ryan William’s Reimagining Citizenship project, and Dr Mehrunisha Suleman’s Perspectives on End of Life Care project.

The successful candidate will be expected to apply for additional external research funding, and the staff at the Centre will offer their assistance in this respect.

The post-holders may also contribute some teaching in the field of their expertise to the appropriate department/faculty, and may assist in the presentation of seminars.

The successful candidates must have been awarded their PhD or be in the final stages of completion of their PhD by the date of employment. They will demonstrate genuine interest in the work of the Centre of Islamic Studies; and demonstrate outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to work independently and as part of a team, and flawless spoken and written English. Applicants should have the right to work in the UK.

Current Research Associates