Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Quantitative Political Behaviour and Political Economy(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About the Opportunity

The Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join a major UKRI-funded research programme examining economic inequality, political polarisation, and democratic resilience.

This post is funded through the project “DIVIDED: Inequality and Polarization Prevention”, led by Dr Miriam Sorace, and brings together an exceptional group of academic and applied research partners, including the London School of Economics Data Science Institute, UK Labour Party HQ (Data & Insight), Opinium, and the European Election Studies.

The successful candidate will be embedded within the Public Opinion Analytics Lab (POAL), playing an active role in shaping research outputs, methodological innovation, and collaborative analysis.

Research Environment

You will join a department with internationally recognised strengths in Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and International Relations, and a proven record of research excellence. The Department ranked 6th in the UK for research outputs in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), reflecting a strong culture of collaboration, rigour, and impact.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will:

• Develop and pursue an ambitious, original research agenda in political behaviour, political economy, and/or quantitative social science methods
• Work closely with the Principal Investigator and project partners to design and implement advanced statistical and experimental analyses
• Support the development of project data infrastructure, including the collection, cleaning, and management of large-scale datasets
• Co-author academic publications, policy-facing reports, and other research outputs
• Contribute to team-based research through regular meetings, peer feedback, and methodological support
• Engage in Continuing Professional Development in research methods, and optionally in impact or teaching-related activities

About You

We are looking for a motivated and analytically strong scholar who can contribute meaningfully to a high-profile, collaborative research programme. You should have:

• A PhD in Political Science, Economics, or a closely related discipline
• Strong expertise in quantitative research methods
• Experience working with large datasets and statistical analysis
• A demonstrated interest in political behaviour, political economy, or survey methodology
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a research team

Contract Details and Application Process

This is a full-time, fixed-term role for approximately 31 months, with the possibility of extension to 36 months. The position is expected to commence shortly after interview.

When applying, please ensure that:

• Your supporting statement clearly addresses all criteria in the Person Specification
• Your CV includes a section listing working papers and published research
• You upload a cover letter (maximum two pages, under 500KB)
• Internal applicants may apply on a secondment basis and should discuss this with their line manager prior to submitting an application.

Visa and Right to Work Information

Due to the complexity of UK immigration rules, candidates who may require sponsorship are encouraged to review eligibility independently before applying. Visa routes will only be discussed with candidates invited to interview.

Official UK government guidance is available at:

• Skilled Worker visa overview
• UK points-based immigration system
• Right to work in the UK
• Visas for researchers and academics
• Equality Act 2010 guidance

Informal Enquiries

For further information about the role or project, please contact:

Dr Miriam Sorace
Associate Professor in Comparative Politics

or

Dr Vladimir Rauta
Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Reading is committed to building a diverse and inclusive academic community. We support the Athena SWAN Charter, the Race Equality Charter, and LGBTQ+ equality, and we are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for flexible working arrangements, including job-share and part-time options, are welcomed and considered in line with operational needs.