Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (MENAF) Fellowship 2022

The Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (MENAF) is looking for four part-time fellows in 2022. The position is open to qualified post-graduate students based in the United Kingdom, and is designed to enable talented, creative, and entrepreneurial researchers to contribute meaningfully to the Middle East policy discussion and to join the Forum’s unique and rapidly growing network.

About Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum (MENAF)

The Cambridge Middle East and North Africa Forum is a think-tank based at the University of Cambridge dedicated to hosting events, creating publications and conducting policy research to better grasp the politics of the MENA region and its shifting position in international affairs.

MENAF Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of MENAF Fellowship

Fellows will be sponsored by a £5,000 annual honorarium with the possibility of additional sponsorship and an end-of-year bonus for outstanding work.

Additional Benefits of the Fellowship Include:

• Support for research from analysts and research associates.
• Assistance with publication in leading academic and non-academic publications.
• Exposure to the Forum’s international network of academics, diplomats, and policy practitioners.
• Professional assistance and mentorship opportunities from preeminent scholars, experts, and veteran policy-practitioners in the Forum’s network.
• The possibility of future employment with the Forum as a full-time employee.

Requirements for MENAF Fellowship Qualification

A candidate has:

• A degree in history, politics, international relations, Middle Eastern Studies, a Middle Eastern language, or a closely cognate discipline.
• A postgraduate position at a university conducting post-doctoral research; a doctoral student; or a master’s student with three or more years of work/research experience.
• At least a cumulative year of research experience with a think-tank, non-governmental organisation, a government organisation, the armed forces, or an academic institution.
• A demonstrated interest in the area covered by the fellowship, as well as a demonstrated interest in the area covered by the fellowship.
• Working proficiency (C1) in at least one Middle Eastern language. If selected for an interview, candidates’ reading and speaking abilities in the language are subject to testing.
• Excellent research and writing skills in English.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to work independently.
• An up-to-date knowledge of the politics and international relations of the MENA region as well as interesting, contrarian views about the region.
• A good sense of humour and a willingness to work in a start-up atmosphere.
• A commitment to the Forum’s Perspective and Mission.

Preference will be given to students at the University of Cambridge, but applications from other universities will certainly be granted consideration. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for MENAF Fellowship

An ideal candidate also has:

• Working or living experience in the MENA region.
• Specialist knowledge of a major country or sub-region of the MENA region.
• A track record of publication in academic and non-academic publications.

Documents Required for Application

Apply by email before January 7 to [email protected] with:

• A CV (resumé)
• A cover letter of up to one page
• An academic writing sample.
• Two academic or professional references.
• Letters of recommendation are optional.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed by the Advisory Board and Executive Committee by January 14, 2022. Finalists will be invited to participate in a short video interview, and a final decision will be made by February 1.

For more details, visit MENAF website.