Applications are invited for a 3-year, non-renewable, Academic Career Development Fellow, in the global politics/international relations of the Middle East and North Africa, or of South Asia. The appointment is based in the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS), University of Cambridge, and is co-terminous with a Fellowship at Girton College The post will be available from 1 September 2026, with no possibility of extension after the end of a three-year term. The post is generously supported by the Isaac Newton Trust, at the University of Cambridge

(https://www.newtontrust.cam.ac.uk/academic-career-development-fellowship-programme).

Candidates should have a proven academic profile in global politics and international relations in the Middle East and North Africa or South Asia. They will have a PhD in a relevant field already and be able to demonstrate an outstanding research record for their career stage. They should be able to outline an exciting future trajectory and provide a compelling vision of how their research and teaching would support the development of the subject across POLIS and Girton College.

Candidates will be expected to undertake an appropriate share of teaching/supervising/directing studies across both institutions. Formally, this post is split approximately 70% within POLIS, and 30% within Girton, and within POLIS, approximately 40% of that time will be protected for research. The remaining 30% will be directed towards teaching and relevant examining and service roles. The 30% Girton College role will include specific teaching duties to be agreed with Girton, and will normally not exceed 80 hours of supervision over the course of a year.

The successful candidate must be able to play a role in the high-quality teaching of politics and international studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including giving lectures, seminars and supervisions. They will be expected to make a collegial contribution to the governance and administration of the Department, and possess a flexible approach to the varied duties involved in working in a Department that is part of a wider collegiate university. They will also be expected to engage in collegiate work in their role as Fellow of Girton College.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant and successful community of scholars in a self-consciously pluralist department (POLIS), as well as the dynamic, engaging, and supportive academic community of Girton College.

Together, POLIS and Girton College form part of a rich network of scholars teaching and researching questions related to politics and international studies across the University. Candidates therefore should have excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary academic environment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

The closing date for applications is: Midnight on Thursday 4th June. The interview date is expected to be: Wednesday 24th June 2026.

If you have any questions about this role, please contact Professor Duncan Kelly: djk36@cam.ac.uk If you have any questions about the application process, please contact bom@polis.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference UE49748 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.