Job Purpose

To make a leading contribution to the project: ‘From Evidence to Action (FETA): Understanding the Impact of Funding Modalities on Development Policymaking’

Specifically, the postholder will conduct, manage and publish research on the determinants and effects of funding structures in international organizations as well as assist in managing and directing this complex and challenging project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following activities in conjunction with the Principal Investigator (PI):

1.     Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and the College of Social Sciences research strategy.

2.       Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, maintaining records and databases, drafting technical/progress reports and papers as appropriate.

3.       Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of the International Political Economy & Development subject area, including establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals and conferences, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem.

4.     Survey the research literature and environment, understand the research challenges associated with the project and subject area, and develop and implement a suitable research strategy.

5.     Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.

6.     Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.

7.        Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the subject of International Political Economy & Development and wider community (e.g., academic institutions and development policymakers).

8.        Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and research group activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School of Social and Political Sciences.

9.        Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development.

10.    Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group, including budgets/expenditure.

11.    Make a leading contribution to outreach and recruitment activities of the University of Glasgow.

12.    Make a leading contribution (where applicable) to teaching activities and associated administration as assigned by the Head of International Political Economy & Development and in consultation with the PI.

13.    Be responsible for safety management related to the organisation and running of laboratory and/or experimental techniques, equipment and processes as appropriate.

14.    Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline.

15.    Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.

16.    Undertake any other duties of equivalent standing as assigned by the Head of International Political Economy & Development and/or the PI.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) plus track record of emerging independence within a research/professional environment, or alternatively possess professional qualifications and experience equivalent to PhD level plus the requisite experience.

A2. Extensive and up-to-date theoretical and practical knowledge in areas related to the field of research.

A3. Knowledge of theories of international organization as demonstrated through disciplinary background in Political Science (International Relations, International Political Economy, Comparative Politics), Public Administration, Economics, or Development Studies.

A4. Advanced knowledge of social science research methods (survey experiments, quasi-experimental designs, and LLM-enabled text-as-data analysis)

Desirable:

B1. Knowledge of policies and politics of international organizations (especially in development cooperation)

B2. Knowledge of the specific policy environment and research context of developing countries

Skills

Essential:

C1. Strong command of social science research methods for causal inference (i.e., survey experiments, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables) and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) for social science research or pedagogical purposes.

C2. Research creativity and strong cross-discipline collaborative ability as appropriate.

C3. Highly motivated, ability to use initiative and quick to learn new techniques.

C4. Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including public presentations and ability to communicate complex/specialist concepts clearly and concisely.

C5. Excellent interpersonal skills including team working and a collegiate approach.

C6. Willingness and aptitude to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

C7. Appropriate workload and time management skills.

C8. Extensive IT and data analysis/interpretation skills as appropriate.

C9. Problem solving skills including a flexible and pragmatic approach.

C10. Good team leadership skills including demonstrable supervisory skills.

Desirable:

D1. Proficiency in Stata or R

Experience

Essential:

E1. Sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge on international organizations and international development and of research methods and techniques relevant to the project subject area, demonstrated through relevant doctoral experience.

E2. Experience with causal-inference methods (i.e., survey experiments, difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, instrumental variables), and/or Large Language Models (LLMs) for social science research or pedagogical purposes.

E3. Experience of academic writing.

E4. Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner

E5. A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.

E6. Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.

E7. Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of experiments & drafting of papers.

E8. Experience in undertaking independent research.

Desirable:

F1. An emerging national or international reputation.

F2. Experience in government, public administration, or international organizations.

F3. Teaching experience in a relevant subject area.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Bernhard Reinsberg, bernhard.reinsberg@glasgow.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post is full time, and has funding for up to 24 months

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University  https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date : 9 February 2026 @23:45