"Post-Doctoral Associate in the Division of Social Science - Dr. Peter Cornelis van der Windt"

NYU Abu Dhabi is pioneering a new model of higher education for a global world, dedicated to excellence in teaching and research and to advancing cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. Drawing on the strengths of the NYU global network, it offers an outstanding liberal arts and sciences education to students from the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and around the world, with a distinctive focus on intercultural understanding and leadership. It supports innovative research and graduate education programs that push forward the frontiers of knowledge and respond in powerful and interdisciplinary ways to vital global and local challenges.

Description

We are inviting applications for a Post-Doctoral Associate in the Division of Social Science at NYU Abu Dhabi from individuals who have or will soon receive a PhD in Political Science, Economics or a related discipline. The appointment will begin September 1, 2026, subject to final budget approval and is available for up to three years.

The post-doctoral associate will spend half their time on independent research, and half their time on collaborative research with Professor Peter van der Windt. The collaborative research will be in the field of political economy of development, with an emphasis on projects related to displacement, service provision, and local governance, and will include fieldwork.

The ideal candidate specializes in topics in the political economy of development. Experience in fieldwork, survey implementation, and experimental research design is important. Advanced methodological training is essential, and an important qualification includes proficiency in R, Stata, or Python. The ideal candidate will demonstrate overlapping interests with Peter van der Windt’s research, which more recently includes work on conflict displacement. Given that much of Van der Windt’s work takes place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, command of French is highly recommended.

The position does not require teaching, but it may be possible to get teaching experience for compensation. You would join a group of over 20 post-doctoral fellows and 70 faculty in the Division of Social Science.

For consideration, applicants must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with full publication list, statement of research interests, transcript, two letters of reference and two representative writing samples. If you have any questions, please email Professor Peter van der Windt at petervanderwindt@nyu.edu. Applications will be accepted until December 1, 2025. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

About NYU Abu Dhabi
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus in the Middle East to be operated abroad by a major American research university. Times Higher Education ranks NYU among the top 30 universities in the world, making NYU Abu Dhabi the highest-ranked university in the UAE and MENA region. NYU Abu Dhabi has integrated a highly selective undergraduate curriculum across the disciplines with a world center for advanced research and scholarship. The university enables its students in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and arts to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and advance cooperation and progress on humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s high-achieving students have come from over 120 countries and speak over 100 languages. Together, NYU's campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, giving faculty and students opportunities to experience varied learning environments and immersion in other cultures at one or more of the numerous study-abroad sites NYU maintains on six continents.

NYUAD is committed to upholding a culture of non-discrimination, anti-harassment, dignity, and mutual respect; providing equal access and opportunity; and fostering academic excellence in learning, research, and teaching.

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications PhD in Political Science, Economics or a related discipline. Specializes in political economy of development. Experience in fieldwork, survey implementation, and experimental research design. Proficiency in R, Stata, or Python. Command of French highly recommended.

Application Instructions Submit cover letter, CV with publication list, statement of research interests, transcript, two letters of reference, and two writing samples.