Researcher at The Sahara Centre
The Sahara Centre (TSC) is a Lagos-based non-profit organisation that explores how indigenous knowledge systems can drive innovation and development across Africa. Through research, creative programming, and cross-sector collaboration, TSC connects communities, policymakers, and creators to design solutions that reflect Africa’s unique wisdom and potential.
Guided by the belief that African societies hold the keys to their own transformation, The Sahara Centre continues to build bridges between culture and innovation to shape that future.Category: In Person
About the Job
The Sahara Centre invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interest for the position of Researcher, with the appointment to be effective on a date to be confirmed with the successful candidate.
This is a a fixed-term position with duration of three or six months.
The researcher will engage in independent and collaborative research that advances The Sahara Centre’s intellectual agenda, with responsibility for the Centre’s academic and policy publications.
Role Overview
The Researcher role exists to deepen and extend The Sahara Centre’s intellectual output, designing and executing original research that advances the Centre’s frameworks and current priorities.
Key Responsibilities
Research Design and Execution:
Designs and executes original research aligned with the Centre’s intellectual frameworks and current priorities.
Applies rigorous quantitative or qualitative methods appropriate to each research question.
Manages research timelines and deliverables against agreed milestones
Required Qualifications
Education:
PhD in a field relevant to the Centre’s research agenda, such as development studies,
African studies, political economy, or a related discipline.
Candidates with a strong Master’s degree or those nearing completion of a PhD, with a confirmed defence date, may be considered.
Experience:
A demonstrated publication record in peer reviewed journals or comparable academic and policy outlets.
Experience designing and executing independent research projects from question to publication.
Experience supervising junior researchers, interns, or graduate assistants is an advantage.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Strong grounding in indigenous knowledge frameworks and African development scholarship, or a demonstrated ability to work rigorously within this frame.
Skill in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, with fluency in at least one.
Ability to write rigorous, evidence grounded prose for a senior academic or policy audience.
Ability to work independently while remaining accountable to institutional sign off on publication decisions.
Ability to speak and write an African language is an advantage.
Working Environment:
Office based at the Centre in Lagos on a full time, fixed-term basis, with periodic travel for fieldwork, conferences, and convenings.
Application Process
Application should include the following:
A letter of interest
Preferred duration of availability (three or six months)
Salary expectations
Curriculum vita.