Postdoctoral Research Associate - College of Arts and Sciences - International Studies

American University of Sharjah; Sharjah; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UAE seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a 12-month position starting in mid-August 2025. This role focuses on researching expatriate students, involving analysis, data collection, and research coordination, providing an engaging opportunity in the fields of transnationalism and education studies.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution.
• Strong academic background in relevant fields.
• Experience with mixed-method research design.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with PI and research team on qualitative and quantitative research.
• Conduct in-depth interviews, develop surveys, and analyze data.
• Assist in writing academic publications and policy briefs.

Skills

Educational Sociology

Transnationalism

Identity Studies

Expatriate Communities

Mixed-Method Research Design

Statistical Software Proficiency

Qualitative Analysis

Communication Skills

Education

Ph.D. in Sociology, Education, or Migration Studies

Tools

SPSS

STATA

MAXQDA

NVivo

Job description

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will support ongoing research on expatriate students in the UAE. Working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI), Dr. Gokhan Savas, Associate Professor of Sociology, the Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to data collection, analysis, and coordination of research activities for the project focused on exploring the lived experiences and identity formation of expatriate university students in the UAE. This 12-month position, starting in mid-August 2025, offers a unique opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research in transnationalism, migration, and education studies, with meaningful academic and policy relevance.

Job Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the PI and research team to design and conduct both qualitative and quantitative research activities.
• Assist in organizing and conducting in-depth interviews with expatriate university students, and contribute to survey development and administration.
• Utilize statistical software (e.g., SPSS or STATA) and qualitative analysis tools (e.g., MAXQDA or NVivo) for data analysis and interpretation.
• Support the writing of academic publications, policy briefs, and presentations for regional and international conferences.
• Help manage project timelines, documentation, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to the coordination of workshops and outreach activities with educational institutions in the UAE.
• Provide mentorship and research support to Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) involved in the project.
  
  

Qualifications And Skills Required

• Ph.D. in Sociology, Education, Migration Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Strong academic background in educational sociology, transnationalism, identity studies, or expatriate/migrant communities.
• Demonstrated experience with mixed-method research design, including interviews, surveys, and data integration.
• Proficiency in using major statistical software packages and qualitative coding tools.
• Evidence of scholarly writing and peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

• Prior research experience related to expatriate communities, student mobility, or migration in the Gulf or broader MENA region.
• Experience mentoring students and managing field research logistics.
• Proven track record of scholarly publications in peer-reviewed journals.
  
  

How To Apply

• Interested applicants should fill out the form.
• AUS alumni are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet specified requirements will not be shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• AUS is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability or marital status. Opportunities for employment are based solely upon one’s qualifications.
• You are welcome to contact Dr. Gokhan Savas at [e-mail] with any questions about the position.