Research assistant in Peace and Conflict Research

The Department
The Department of Peace and Conflict Research was established in 1971 to conduct peace research and offer courses in peace and conflict studies. Currently approx. 90 persons are employed at the Department and approximately 1000 students are enrolled every academic year. Courses offered include undergraduate and post-graduate courses, as well as a Ph. D. programme. For more information, visit www.pcr.uu.se
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The project
The project “Why evictions turn violent: The politics of growing cities”, with project leader Emma Elfversson, started up in 2026 with funding from the Swedish Research Council and will run through 2029. The project will combine large-N analyses of data on forced evictions with in-depth study of strategically selected cases in Ethiopia and Kenya, two countries where evictions have been prominent, but violence dynamics vary. More information about the project can be found here:
https://www.uu.se/en/department/peace-and-conflict-research/research/research-projects/why-evictions-turn-violent-the-politics-of-growing-cities
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The department and the project is now looking for a research assistant for a 6 months full-time (100%), employment. Start date per agreement, but at the latest on 11th January 2027.
Expected tasks
The tasks primarily include data collection. Specifically, the research assistant will collect new, fine-grained data on eviction dynamics in a selection of major and smaller cities in Kenya, based on secondary sources. The position may also entail routine administrative/project management tasks, workshop assistance and miscellaneous writing tasks. The research assistant will report to the project leader and work closely with another research assistant and the other participating researchers within the project.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in peace & conflict, development studies, or another field relevant to the project
Familiarity with politics and conflict in Africa
Training in qualitative and/or quantitative social science methodology and relevant basic software skills
Excellent proficiency in English (reading and writing)
Ability to work independently and in teams and good interpersonal abilities
Attention to detail and exactness and analytical and problem-solving skills.
Meritorious
Fluency (or advanced knowledge) in Kiswahili and/or another major Kenyan language is highly meritorious, given that the data collection will partly rely on secondary sources in local languages in the cities under study. Please describe your language skills clearly in the application. Studies at the Master level in peace and conflict or another discipline relevant to the project is also highly meritorious, as is previous experience with data collection (coding), particularly conflict-related data. Proficiency in GIS analysis, and/or knowledge of software for statistical analysis such as R, is also a meritorious skill. Previous experience working in/conducting research on Kenya is also highly meritorious.

Application

Please include a brief personal letter, CV, and relevant writing sample (e.g. student thesis) in your application.
Employment details
Type of employment:
temporary employment (6 months).
Starting date:
per agreement, but no later than 11 January 2027.
Employment scope:
Full-time/100%.
Location:
Based on-site in Uppsala.
Questions regarding the position may be directed to:
Project leader Emma Elfversson, emma.elfversson@pcr.uu.se
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Submit your application at the latest by 27 November, 23.59 (Swedish time)
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Reference number UFV-PA 2026/3480.