Comparative Data & Methods Postdoctoral Researcher

Corehr; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) at the University of Oxford seeks a Comparative Data & Methods Postdoctoral Researcher. You will join an ERC-funded team and help design, develop and implement a comparative research infrastructure on Islam in Europe.

This 18-month post offers opportunities to contribute to policy and international collaboration. Applicants should have (or be close to) a PhD in a related field and proven experience with comparative datasets.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline (or near completion).
• Experience with comparative research projects is essential.
• Experience working with comparative datasets or research databases is essential.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement a new European Muslim Observatory research infrastructure.
• Collaborate with a research team funded by ERC and contribute to policy-relevant outputs.
• Contribute to the sustaining and expansion of the observatory database for Europe.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Data management

Education

PhD in Political Science / Comparative Politics / Sociology / Public Policy / Development Studies

Tools

R / Stata

Job description

Comparative Data & Methods Postdoctoral Researcher

Oxford Department of International Development, Queen Elizabeth House, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TB

The Oxford Department of International Development (ODID) is seeking to recruit a Comparative Data & Methods Postdoctoral Researcher. Reporting to Professor Masooda Bano, the post-holder will join a research team funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant, Choosing Islamic Conservatism: Muslim Youth in Europe and the UK and the Question of Social Cohesion. Building on the earlier phases of the project, the team is now establishing the European Muslim Observatory: Comparative Research Infrastructure on Muslim Institutional Development in Europe. The Observatory aims to develop the first systematic comparative research infrastructure documenting the institutional development of Islam and Muslim communities across Europe. It will bring together legal, political, institutional and religious data to examine how Muslim institutions evolve in interaction with constitutional frameworks, state institutions and wider society, creating a lasting research resource for comparative scholarship on Islam in Europe.

The Observatory aims to establish a lasting comparative database that will support future academic research, policy engagement and international collaboration beyond the lifetime of the current ERC grant. Successful applicants will become part of the founding research team responsible for designing, developing and implementing this new research infrastructure.

This post is offered for 18 months.

The successful candidate will have ( or will be near to completion) a PhD in Political Science, Comparative Politics, Sociology, Public Policy, Development Studies or a closely related discipline. They will also have demonstrated experience working on comparative research projects. Experience working with comparative datasets or research databases is essential to this role.

At ODID we embrace and cherish our differences, and endeavour to be considerate and welcoming of all. You are most welcome at ODID, without the need to hide any part of who you are. We acknowledge societal inequalities and how these affect us, and those around us, personally and professionally. We hold an Athena Swan bronze award in recognition of our efforts to introduce organisational and cultural changes which promote equality, cherish diversity and create a better working environment for all. We are also taking active steps to promote race equality and reduce the risk of bias and discrimination. We work together to enrich, fortify and grow our community and dedicate our combined efforts to teaching and research to increase our impact and influence in development debates at the national and global level. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply for our vacancies and join us in pursuing our goals.

Only applications received before 12 midday on Thursday, 24 September 2026 can be considered.