Visiting Fellow

The Nordic Africa Institute invites an established scholar from an African university or research institute to apply for

Job Description

NAI employs a senior scholar as a visiting fellow for one year from an African university or research institute. Typically, they are on sabbatical from their home institution. The scholar must have a demonstrated record of academic accomplishment and want to engage with Nordic decision-makers in government to present perspectives from their research. As an Institute we greatly value and benefit from the expertise, experience and insight visiting fellows bring to our work and to our science – policy engagement.

We welcome applications consistent with the impact areas identified in the NAI strategy, which can be found here. For all areas, emphasis is placed on the qualitative social sciences or economics and learning from field-based research. While any topic aligning to our strategy will be duly considered, for we welcome applications relevant to contemporary geopolitics. For example, topics that explore the place of Africa and African countries in global geopolitical dynamics; or the role of external state actors (e.g., China, Russia, UAE, etc.) or non-state actors in African countries. The research may take a comparative view, explore a thematic area, or present an in-depth analysis on a specific country.

The one-year visiting fellow may use the period at NAI to finalize ongoing research, and capitalize on a dedicated period to complete articles and policy-relevant outputs, and to engage with Nordic decision-makers. The fellowship is not intended to be used for a new research project, and because the expectation is that the scholar will mainly be based in Uppsala, Sweden, the fellowship does not in general finance field research.

It is anticipated the position runs for an academic year from the end of August 2026 until July 2027.

Qualifications

PhD degree in political science, anthropology, geography, sociology, gender studies, international development, development economics or related subject.

Seven or more years' experience post-PhD conducting academic research, with a current research/teaching position in a university or research institution in Africa.

Record of high-quality academic research.

Record of science communication and policy/practice engagement with non-academic stakeholders. Strong ability to present complex issues to non-academic audiences.

Knowledge of African scientific communities, and policy environments, and other stakeholders and actors relevant to the research topic.

Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

Submit

• Proposal not exceeding 5 pages presenting a realistic work plan for 1 year – detail proposed intellectual activities/research projects, and expected outputs.
• Complete CV with a list of scientific publications clearly indicating which publications are peer reviewed.
• Links to 3 sole or joint authored publications.
• Evidence of policy engagement / science-policy communication to non-academic audiences (a one-page summary, or up to three non-academic outputs)
• Names and contact details of at least two references.

Apply through our online recruitment system.

Closing Date for applications: 16 January 2026

We may perform background checks on selected candidates for security purposes.

Condition of Service

The contract period will be 12 months and is expected to start in the beginning of September 2026. Because the expectation is that the visiting fellow will be on sabbatical from a home institution, the position is fixed term; there is no possibility of extending the contract beyond 12 months.

Salary is negotiable within the Institute's current salary levels and remuneration packages. The position includes attractive benefits and conditions offered for employees of the Swedish civil service.

NAI provides a return airfare for the senior researcher and covers costs incurred in obtaining a visa. As this is a temporary position for one year, it does not cover travel or related costs for family members.

NAI facilitates liaison with the Swedish Migration Agency for visa purposes.

The senior researcher is responsible for obtaining accommodation, with support during this process.

The duty station is Uppsala. The position will likely include travel within the Nordic region and/or to the African continent as part of official duties.

It is expected the senior researcher can obtain one-year leave of absence from their home institution.

About the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)

The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) is a center for research, knowledge, policy advice and information on Africa. Based in Uppsala, Sweden, the institute is a government agency, funded jointly by Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

NAI offers a stimulating intellectual environment, an interdisciplinary research orientation, a team of researchers from different social and natural scientific backgrounds, a professional communications unit, and a library with modern facilities. In addition, NAI is linked to an extensive network of research institutions in Africa and the Nordic countries.