GSC Fellowships

Joint Fellowship between The Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University and The Middle East Council on Global Affairs

About the Gulf Studies Center

The Gulf Studies Center, established in 2013 at the College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, is the leading academic institution dedicated to the study of the wider Gulf region including the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as Iran, Iraq, and Yemen. As the Gulf states continue to emerge as key players in regional and global affairs, the demand for comprehensive research on the region has grown. Gulf studies program at Qatar University has evolved significantly, now was offering two graduate programs: MA program, launched in 2011, and is currently offering a PhD program, which launched in 2015.

The Center hosts numerous conferences, workshops, and seminars in collaboration with regional and international counterparts, fostering diverse perspectives and contributing to the development of an expanding network of scholars specializing in Gulf Studies.

The Gulf Studies Center shares its academic contributions with the public through various publication methods, including reports, insights, and monographs on the GCC states and the broader Gulf region. Through its unique combination of graduate programs and a pro-active team, the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University has become a leading institution in the field, offering students and scholars a unique opportunity to research on the Gulf while being in the region itself.

About the Middle East Council on Global Affairs

The Middle East Council on Global Affairs (ME Council) is an independent, non-profit policy research institution based in Doha, Qatar. It conducts policy-relevant research, convenes meetings and dialogues, and engages policy actors on geopolitical and socioeconomic issues specific to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Serving as a bridge between the MENA region and the rest of the world, the ME Council provides a regional perspective on global policy issues. It also establishes partnerships with other leading research institutions and development organizations across the MENA region and the world.

About the Joint Fellowship

Over the course of a 9-month period, the joint fellow will teach one to two courses at Qatar University (QU) and conduct original research of their own. The 9-month period covers two academic semesters at Qatar University.

Joint fellows are expected to publish their research, interact with other scholars, present their research at events, engage with policymakers and the media, and contribute to the activities of ME Council and QU.

Candidates with a focus on Gulf, in particular Gulf economics, security, and Gulf-North Africa Relations are encouraged to apply.

Teaching

Joint fellows teach 1-2 undergraduate or graduate courses, depending on Qatar University's needs, for the duration of two semesters (30 weeks). The course the fellow will teach may be one of the courses currently offered at the Gulf Studies Center, such as courses on (Political Economy, Gulf Politics, Modern History of the Gulf, Political Science, Culture and Politics, Political Sociology ), or any related subject as defined by the joint fellow. Courses are typically seminar-based, enabling the joint fellow to develop and refine her/his ideas and research in an academic setting.

Research

Joint fellows pursue their own research agenda and contribute to both the Gulf Studies Center and ME Council's research output by producing a least one research output on a topic of their choice to be agreed on, in line with the research priorities of Qatar University, and the State of Qatar. The primary language of publication is English. Final reports will be published in both English and Arabic. Proposed research output should be focused on the Gulf and broadly related to ME Council's three main program areas: (1) Foreign Policy and Security, (2) Governance and Development, and (3) Conflict and Transitions.

Duties towards both parties

Alongside their individual research paper, Joint fellows are expected to be active members of both the Gulf Studies Center and the ME Council community, engaging with their colleagues, and participating in public events, monthly meetings, policy roundtables. Joint fellows will have the opportunity to engage with policymakers, academics, government officials, business leaders, and journalists. Joint fellows are provided with funding to conduct field research. In some cases, joint fellows may retain their relationship with ME Council in a nonresident capacity for up to one year after completing their joint fellowship.

Applicant Requirements

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a field relevant to the area of research. They must have a demonstrated ability to conduct professional, in-depth research, a proven record of publishing, experience teaching at a graduate level and fluency in English, and knowledge of Arabic is preferred.

Once applicants are shortlisted for the position, the Gulf Studies Center will request that the candidate apply for Graduate Faculty Status through the Center. This is required to allow the candidates to teach the PhD courses at Qatar University if needed.

Joint Fellowship Requirement

Joint fellows must be available for a full-time affiliation with QU and ME Council and be based in Qatar.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following documents:

• A CV including professional and educational experience, three references, full contact information, and a list of publications.

• A 200-300-word course teaching philosophy

• A writing sample (no more than 6,000 words) in English. Writing samples should, if possible, be in a format similar to the policy papers published by the Middle East Council and Gulf Studies Center and must not be co-authored.

• An original research proposal of between 800 and 1,000 words long. The proposal should include the key questions to be addressed, relevance to policymakers, methods of research, and estimated timeline.

• A cover letter, which, along with any additional information you wish to convey.

Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications for the position will be considered.

New Applicants: You need to setup an account on the QU Recruitment Online website (https://careers.qu.edu.qa) and complete your personal profile. Once your profile is complete you may use it to apply for an open Position.