Research and Outreach Associate (Fixed Term)

Camwebdir; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies (CIS) at the University of Cambridge invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research and Outreach Associate. The three-year, full-time appointment begins September 2027, based at CIS within the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

The role focuses on Muslims of the UK and Europe, combining research with outreach activities and collaboration with a range of partners; teaching duties may be included.

Qualifications

• PhD required and awarded by date of employment.
• Early-career researchers encouraged to apply.
• Ability to develop and carry out research projects of high academic standard.

Responsibilities

• Pursue a research project related to Muslims of the UK and Europe.
• Design and run outreach activities reaching beyond the academic community.
• Collaborate with Muslim organisations, public policy stakeholders, governmental and NGO partners and local schools.

Skills

Postdoctoral research

Outreach experience

English fluency

Education

PhD by start date

Job description

The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies (CIS) at the University of Cambridge is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research and Outreach Associate with a research specialism related to Muslims of the UK and Europe. The post is a three-year, fixed-term position which will commence in September 2027. It is full-time and based in the Centre of Islamic Studies, which is located in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

Key Responsibilities

• pursue a research project in an area related to Muslims of the UK and Europe
• design and run a set of outreach activities that reach beyond the academic community

What form the latter will take will depend on the specialism of the appointee but collaboration with Muslim organisations, public policy stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental organisations and local schools is welcomed.

Current Outreach Projects

• Dr Davide Pettinato's Green(ing) British Muslims
• Dr Stefan Williamson Fa's Food Encounters: Sadaqah, Solidarity, and Sustainability in the UK and Spain

Collaborations

• The Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh
• Harvard University
• Georgetown University
• The American University of Beirut
• The American University of Cairo

CIS is one of a network of HRH Alwaleed Bin Talal centres and research and outreach associates are strongly encouraged to collaborate with colleagues at these partner institutions. Research and outreach associates are expected to apply for additional external funding for the activities they design, when possible. The postholder may also contribute to the teaching of modern Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies within the Department of Middle Eastern Studies, with which CIS has close links, or elsewhere in the University.

Candidates will need to demonstrate an upward research trajectory and an ability to develop and carry out research projects of a high academic standard. They will also need to show an interest in and understanding of the remit of the Centre of Islamic Studies and a commitment to outreach beyond academia. Attendance at and participation in CIS weekly seminars and events during term-time, and annual conferences or symposia, is expected. The role requires an ability to work independently but also as part of a team, and native or near native fluency in spoken and written English.

The successful candidate will be expected to have been awarded their PhD by the date their employment commences. CIS Research and Outreach posts are intended primarily for early-career researchers. Applications are therefore invited from researchers who have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination no more than four years prior to the application closing date. Those wishing to make a case for a career break due to maternity leave, family commitments, illness, or other exceptional circumstances should provide relevant details. Please note that time spent working outside academia does not qualify as a career break.

The closing date for applications is 15 October 2026. Academic references will be requested for shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews, which will likely take place towards the end of November. They may take place in-person or online, depending on the applicant's and interviewers' availability. Any offer of employment will be conditional on the offer-holder having or gaining the right to work in the UK and receipt of a satisfactory workplace reference if relevant.

Further enquiries may be directed to [e-mail].

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.