Postdoctoral Research Associate in Modern Arabic Studies (Fixed Term)

The Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (FAMES) at the University of Cambridge seeks to appoint a four-year fixed term Postdoctoral Research Associate in Modern Arabic Studies. The post is designed for an outstanding early career scholar with a promising academic profile who is committed to innovative and impactful research and teaching. The post will commence on 1 September 2026 and end on 31 August 2030.

We welcome applications from early career scholars whose work engages critically with the social, intellectual, environmental and technological developments shaping the Arab world in the modern period and contributes to emerging areas of modern Arabic studies. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in environmental humanities, digital and visual culture, and gender studies.

The successful candidate will engage in original research and publish in their specialism. They will contribute to teaching and supervision in modern Arabic history and culture and play an active role in the faculty's research community. They will be mentored by the Sultan Qaboos Professor of Modern Arabic Studies, Tina Phillips, and work with the modern Arabic studies team to develop new directions in the study of the contemporary Arab world. The balance between research and teaching will evolve over the course of the Fellowship in line with the postholder's research programme and faculty priorities.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD within the field of modern Arabic studies. They will be able to demonstrate an upward research trajectory and have experience teaching in higher education. They will have excellent command of Arabic and be able to work collaboratively in academic teams.

To be considered eligible for the post, all candidates must have submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination not more than six years prior to the application closing date. Hence those who formally submitted their doctoral thesis for viva voce examination before March 2020 are not eligible unless they have since had a career break. Please note that Arabic language teaching and Arabic linguistics, translation and pedagogy do not fall within the remit of this post.

For your application to be considered please ensure that you upload the following documents to your online application:

• A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications
• A Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and its fit to your skills and experience (maximum of 2 pages)
• Outline of a specialist paper (aimed at final year undergraduates, one page)
• A four-year research plan
• A sample of written work - e.g. chapter of doctoral thesis or a published article

Please ensure that you upload all requested documents, in the Upload section of the online application. If you include any additional documents, which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on Friday 17 April 2026. Interviews are expected to take place in early May 2026, subject to change.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 August 2030 in the first instance.

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

Please email the chair of the search committee, Professor Tina Phillips (clp71@cam.ac.uk), if you have further queries. For questions on the application process please contact sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference GY49151 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.

Key information

Department/location

Department of Middle Eastern Studies

Salary

£37,694-£46,049

Reference

GY49151

Category

Research

Date published

18 March 2026

Closing date

17 April 2026

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• Further Information