Research assistant, Department of Government

The Department of Government belongs to the Faculty of Social Sciences at Uppsala University and comprises approximately 120 employees, including faculty, researchers, doctoral students, and administrative staff. The department’s activities primarily consist of undergraduate and graduate teaching, as well as doctoral education. In addition, extensive research is conducted at both national and international levels.

Job description

The work will be carried out within the research environment on sexual corruption (PI: Elin Bjarnegård, Swedish Research Council), the research project Gender as Tactic in Autocratic Politics (PI: Pär Zetterberg, Swedish Research Council) and the research project Mapping Trends of Gender Integration in a New Global and Local Era (PI: Åsa Eldén, The Expert Group for Aid Studies, EBA). The research environment Sexual Corruption contributes with knowledge about how sexual corruption - the abuse of power for personal gain in the form of sex - can best be understood, measured, and prevented.  The research project “Gender as Tactic in Autocratic Politics” examines how authoritarian regimes use gender equality strategically. The research project “Mapping trends of Gender Integration” studies how changing conditions for aid in general, and gender equality aid in particular, affect the integration of gender equality in Sida's work. The main tasks include assistance with literature reviews, interviews, collection, coding, processing, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, as well as external communication within the framework of these research projects. A significant part of the work involves independently searching for information and collecting material, but the work will also consist of analyzing and coding already collected material in close collaboration with other project participants. The work also includes collaboration with Transparency International and the UNCAC Coalition, and the preparation of background material for and participation in policy processes on sexual corruption and gender and corruption linked to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

Qualification requirements

Master's degree in political science or equivalent. The work requires accuracy, independence, good analytical skills, and very good knowledge of English. Furthermore, experience of conducting and documenting data collection and analysis related to the project's research areas in sexual corruption, gender and corruption, and gender and politics is required.

Desirable/meritorious in other respects

Documented knowledge and experience of international policy work in gender and corruption/politics and gender equality, including collaboration with Transparency International and the UNCAC Coalition and work with UN processes specifically linked to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), is particularly meritorious. Previous work in the aforementioned or similar research projects is also meritorious.

Application procedure

Complete applications must be submitted via Uppsala University's recruitment system and must include:

• Personal letter (1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Master's thesis or other publication
• Names of two references (contact details for the references will only be required at the end of the recruitment process)

About the position

Fixed-term employment until June 30, 2026.  The position is full-time. Start date: January 1, 2026, or as agreed. Location: Uppsala.

Information about the position is provided by: Elin Bjarnegård (elin.bjarnegård@statsvet.uu.se) and Åsa Eldén (asa.elden@statsvet.uu.se)

Please submit your application by 20 November 2025, UFV-PA 2025/3272.

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