Postdoctoral Research Associate and PhD Studentship in Geography, Migration, Borders and Sovereignty at Loughborough University Loughborough University in United Kingdom

Loughborough University’s Department of Geography and Environment is recruiting for the GeoEx: Geographies of example: Finding the example within the exception and beyond project, funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Leadership Award. The project explores questions of borders, migration, refugees, state, citizenship, sovereignty, and related themes across Geography, Sociology, Political Science, and Anthropology.

There are two 3.5-year postdoctoral researcher positions and one 3.5-year fully funded PhD studentship. The postdoctoral roles are based at Loughborough University and involve ethnographic research in Finland or Bangladesh, with short trips to other field sites in the UK and the other project country. The PhD project is also multi-sited, with fieldwork across Bangladesh, Finland, and the UK, and focuses on how sovereign power creates both “exception” and “example” in the treatment of protection seekers and other marginalised communities.

Postdoctoral eligibility: applicants should hold a PhD in Geography, Sociology, Politics, Anthropology, or a cognate discipline; have excellent English; strong interpersonal skills; and experience conducting and analysing semi-structured interviews with protection seekers and/or marginalised communities. The role is full-time, fixed term for 42 months, and salary is on grade 6.

PhD eligibility: applicants should have a 1st class or 2:1 degree in a relevant social sciences discipline such as geography, sociology, political science, or anthropology. A master’s degree is desirable but not essential, and equivalent professional experience may be considered. Previous qualitative research experience is desirable. The PhD is funded for UK tuition only and starts in October 2026.

How to apply: postdoctoral applicants must submit a CV, supporting statement, and research vision via the Loughborough University vacancies portal. The doctoral studentship has its own online application page. Informal enquiries can be sent to Dr Azmeary Ferdoush at [email protected].

Deadline: 17 May 2026 for the postdoctoral roles; the PhD studentship deadline is 15 June 2026.