News
Call for Applications: Researchers for DFG-Project
Researcher on DFG (German Research Foundation) Grant on ‘Practices of Legitimation: Chinese Non-State Actors in East Africa’
Deadline: 28th March 2024
The researcher will be working for our project "Practices of Legitimation: Chinese Non-State Actors in East Africa" and will be contracted directly by the University of Bayreuth (PI Professor Jana Hönke) for 4 months in the first instance, May 2024- Aug 2024. The terms of reference will be agreed by the PI, the contracted researcher and the University of Bayreuth.
Likely responsibilities include:
- To attend training on research methods in Nairobi in May 2024.
- To pilot ethnographic and interview research techniques within stipulated communities over a minimum 2-month period in Kenya or Tanzania, (estimated June and July 2024), obtaining consent in accordance with research protocols.
- To collect and store ethnographic and interview data in accordance with protocols.
- To build positive and respectful relationships within such communities, with a view to further extended research periods.
- To flag concerns with research methods, environment, process or any other issue with line manager in a timely and
sensitive fashion. - To contribute to early findings and research instrument review, either in writing or in person, by August 2024.
Personal Specification
Essential (all are required to apply)
- A strong undergraduate degree in related subject e.g. (international) politics; (development) anthropology, sociology, development studies (NOT education)
- Some experience of qualitative data collection in Kenya or Tanzania
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, able to build rapport and conduct research in a respectful manner, with utmost professionalism and integrity
- Strong understanding of the principles of ethnographic research
- Kenyan / Tanzanian national
- Fluent in Swahili
- Available for training in Nairobi in May 2024
- Available for fieldwork in selected rural communities for minimum 2 months (estimated June and July 2024)
- Ability to comply with strict ethical protocols as approved by University of Bayreuth and Kenyan / Tanzanian research authorities (NACOSTI and COSTECH) respectively
- Able to supply 2 academic / research references following appointment.
Desirable (not required to apply but advantageous)
- Masters level in a related subject (as above)
- Ethnographic fieldwork experience in rural Kenya or Tanzania
- Familiarity with / interest in debates on Chinese actors in east Africa
- Demonstrably strong written English
- Basic knowledge in Mandarin
- Prior contributor to project outputs such as a report, briefing or academic article
- Available for contract extension (until August 2025)
Interested applicants should send their CV, one-page cover letter and relevant writing sample (maximum 1,000 words) to nicodemus.minde@uni-bayreuth.de by Thursday 28 March 2024.
Click here to download the pdf document.