Doctoral Researcher: Islamic Finance, Governance and Constitutional Legitimacy

The Bristol Business School of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) invites applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in the MSCA Doctoral Network MINARET: A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Cultures.

Project Overview

This doctoral position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network A Sociology of Post-Imperial Islamic Legal Cultures (MINARET), funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe programme.

MINARET brings together leading universities and research partner institutions to train 15 doctoral candidates investigating the relationships between law, religion, economy and governance in post-imperial Muslim-majority societies. The network's three core aims are to advance empirical and theoretical understanding of the interactions between law, religion, economy and governance; to deliver sustainable, interdisciplinary doctoral training across disciplines, sectors, and regions; and to contribute to global debates on democratisation and good governance through policy-relevant research, publications, workshops, and outreach activities.

PhD Topic Description

The doctoral project (DC9) at UWE Bristol forms part of MINARET's work package on law, economy, and governance in post-imperial Muslim-majority societies. It will examine how Islamic finance institutions contribute to public trust, economic governance, and constitutional legitimacy in Central Asia and Southeast Asia (Uzbekistan and Indonesia).

The research focuses on how Islamic principles such as fairness, risk-sharing, and social responsibility are translated into contemporary legal, financial, and governance arrangements. It will explore how Islamic finance institutions interact with state structures, influence governance practices, and shape citizens' perceptions of state authority and institutional legitimacy. The project aims to bridge debates in economics, law, governance, political economy, and Islamic studies by generating new empirical and theoretical insights into the relationship between religion, economy, and governance.

Host Institution

The Bristol Business School is renowned for research across economics, governance, public policy, and international development, offering a vibrant and inclusive research culture. Research group Bristol Research in Economics (BRE) is an internationally recognised cluster of leading economists pursuing innovative research in intersecting areas of economics including applied economics, development economics, political economy and regional studies.

Essential Skills & Qualifications

• A relevant master’s degree relating to economics, economic development, development studies, behavioural science, or a related field.
• Excellent English speaking, reading, and writing skills (applicants will need IELTS score of 7.0 overall, or equivalent).
• Strong mixed-methods research skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Effective communication skills for academic and non-academic audiences.
• Motivation to engage in interdisciplinary research and policy outreach.

Desirable

• Experience integrating methods and theories from multiple disciplines.
• Experience working with both quantitative and qualitative data.

Salary & Eligibility

You will be employed on a 36-month contract under the conditions of the MSCA Doctoral Network scheme which includes: gross salary of €4,008/month (approx. £3,447/month); mobility allowance of €489/month (approx. £421/month); and family allowance of €455/month (approx. £391/month), if applicable.

Eligibility conditions

• You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• You must have an IELTS score of 7.0 overall or equivalent.
• You must not have lived or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months before your recruitment date.
• You can be of any nationality.

Where is this role based?

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus.