KNUST Postdoctoral Research Position 2026: Political Parties in Africa and Democracy (PPADEM) Project

Applications are now open for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana.

Hosted by the Department of History, Political Science and Public Administration, this two-year postdoctoral opportunity is part of the prestigious Political Parties in Africa and Democracy (PPADEM) project, funded by the European Research Council (ERC).

The project is an international collaboration involving KNUST, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Bristol, and the University of Reading.

This is an outstanding opportunity for emerging scholars in political science and related fields to contribute to one of the largest empirical studies of political parties ever undertaken globally.

About the PPADEM Project

The Political Parties in Africa and Democracy (PPADEM) project seeks to understand the role political parties play in democratic progress and decline across Africa.

The research addresses three core questions:

1. What role do political parties play in democratization in Africa?
2. Under what conditions do they support or undermine democracy?
3. How can political parties be strengthened to help counter democratic decline on the continent?

Position Overview

The successful candidate will join an international team of senior and early-career scholars and will play a leading role in:

• Survey design and research instrument development
• Data collection and management
• Cross-national dataset construction and analysis
• Academic publishing
• Conference presentations
• Stakeholder engagement and dissemination
• Limited undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at KNUST

Contract Details

• Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate
• Duration: Two years (subject to annual performance evaluation)
• Start Date: July/August 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter
• Location: KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD in Political Science or a closely related social science discipline by the time of appointment
• Not be employed full-time at KNUST or any other public university/institution
• Demonstrate expertise in survey design and survey data analysis
• Have a strong background in comparative politics

Desirable Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Publications appropriate to their career stage
• Research coordination and management experience
• Expertise in elections, public opinion, party politics, or African politics
• Qualitative research experience (archival and interview methods)
• Strong organizational and leadership skills
• Excellent written and spoken English

Application Materials

Applicants must submit a single PDF file containing:

• Cover letter (maximum two pages)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Two-page research plan aligned with the PPADEM project
• Writing sample (working paper or published article/chapter)
• Two recommendation letters

Important Note on AI Use

KNUST has stated that applications relying heavily on AI-generated content may appear generic and are unlikely to advance to the interview stage. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all written materials reflect their authentic voice and specific experience.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by:

1 June 2026

How to Apply

Send your application as a single PDF to:

ppadem@knust.edu.gh

For project-related inquiries, contact:

Prof. George Bob-Milliar
gbobmilliar.cass@knust.edu.gh

For additional information, visit here.

For more Fellowship Opportunities, Visit OFY here.