Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Role

Applications are invited for the position of Postdoctoral Research Associate to work alongside Professor Jean-François Drolet and Professor Michael C. Williams as part of the ESRC funded project Right Worlds.

This full-time post is available for two years, from 1 September 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) based at our Mile End Campus in London.

Right Worlds explores the history and contemporary politics of radical right-wing thought and movements in International Relations (IR), focusing more specifically on Europe and North America. The project has two main components. The first examines the contributions and intellectual fabric of conservative thought in the historiography of the discipline of IR. The second traces and analyses the historical development and contemporary expression of a body of radical conservative international thought in a para-academic constellation of research, educational, and policy-advocacy think tanks since the early 1960s. The project draws on international and institutional political sociology to map the most significant of these institutions, their ideological positions and policy orientations, the strategies they adopt to advance their ideas about international affairs, the objectives they seek to achieve, and the patterns of collaboration and competition between them.

About You

The successful candidate will undertake original research and collaboration on both aspects of the project. They will also assist with the organisation of workshops, conferences and field work, and have the opportunity to develop their own related research publications.

About the School/Department/Institute/Project

Founded in 1970 by Professor Trevor Smith, the Department of Sociology, Politics and International Relations was set up with a clear mission - to diversify the teaching of the subject. Since then, we have become a large, inclusive, and exciting environment. One where our students’ curiosity is encouraged by expert-led teaching, and where our research analyses the most pressing challenges of our time.

About Queen Mary

At Queen Mary University of London, we believe that a diversity of ideas helps us achieve the previously unthinkable.

Throughout our history, we’ve fostered social justice and improved lives through academic excellence. And we continue to live and breathe this spirit today, not because it’s simply ‘the right thing to do’ but for what it helps us achieve and the intellectual brilliance it delivers.

We continue to embrace diversity of thought and opinion in everything we do, in the belief that when views collide, disciplines interact, and perspectives intersect, truly original thought takes form.

Benefits

We offer competitive salaries, access to a generous pension scheme, 30 days’ leave per annum (pro-rata for part-time/fixed-term), a season ticket loan scheme and access to a comprehensive range of personal and professional development opportunities. In addition, we offer a range of work life balance and family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and campus facilities.

Queen Mary’s commitment to our diverse and inclusive community is embedded in our appointments processes. Reasonable adjustments will be made at each stage of the recruitment process for any candidate with a disability. We are open to considering applications from candidates wishing to work flexibly.

If you experience any technical issues when applying, please contact recruitment@qmul.ac.uk who will be able to assist you.