Research Assistant

We are excited to announce an opening for a Research Assistant at Birkbeck, University of London, to work on a geopolitics project within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Are you passionate about socio‑political research and keen to contribute to a cutting‑edge project on Shiʿite geopolitics?

We are seeking a Research Assistant to join our team and support an exciting research initiative exploring Shiʿite geopolitics. This opening is for a part‑time role within the School of Social Sciences on a fixed‑term, 16 month contract.

As a Research Assistant your responsibilities would include searches of academic literature, media sources, and policy documentation in English and Persian; the collection of demographic data in diverse geographic settings; reporting on and preparatory analysis of the findings; and aiding the organization of a workshop.

This opportunity is ideal for someone with proven research skills and a strong understanding of socio‑political science and Shiʿite politics. Experience as a research assistant, documentalist, independent researcher, or journalist would also be beneficial.

If this sounds like the role for you, join us at Birkbeck, a leading London University with a unique mission for widening participation.

Salary and benefits

Actual £2,227 per year (pro‑rated £38,981 to £44,247 per year), Grade 6 on the College\’s London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated London Weighting Allowance.

Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in the heart of Bloomsbury, Euston, London.

Contract

This role is offered on a fixed‑term basis between 21 January 2026 and 19 June 2027 unless later start and end times are agreed. This is a part‑time role, (0.06 FTE) working 2 hours per week, but with the understanding the 8 hours per month may be variably executed.

Closing date

Monday 15 December 2025, interview date: Wednesday 14 January 2026. Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

Enquiries

If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Dr Matthijs van den Bos, Shiite geopolitics research lead, at m.van-den-bos@bbk.ac.uk.

If you have difficulty using the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk providing your name and the job reference number of the position. While we are happy to respond to all informal enquiries, only formal applications through the online system will be considered.

We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding an Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.