Research Consultant – Cultural Heritage, Peacebuilding & Inclusive Governance

Role Overview

• Support the implementation of research and fieldwork activities in North Macedonia and Albania.
• Generate high-quality empirical data on Shared Holy Places (SHPs), contributing to a deeper understanding of their social, cultural, religious, and political dynamics.
• Conduct mapping, site visits, qualitative research, stakeholder engagement, and analytical reporting to ensure alignment with the project’s comparative and interdisciplinary framework.

Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of academic and applied research experience in the fields of religious studies, anthropology, cultural heritage, or related disciplines.
• Enrolment in, or completion of, a PhD programme in Social Sciences, Religious Studies, or a closely related field, with a research focus relevant to religion, politics, cultural heritage, or conflict-sensitive contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative research methods, including ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, oral history collection, and narrative analysis, as well as experience in mapping and documentation of cultural and religious sites.
• Proven experience in academic research projects and research institutions, including participation in funded research programmes and collaboration with university-based research teams.
• Strong experience in fieldwork in culturally and religiously diverse and sensitive environments, including direct engagement with communities in the Balkans and broader regions.
• Experience in data collection, documentation, and analysis, including contribution to research outputs such as academic publications, reports, and conference presentations.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and community interaction, including work with vulnerable groups, minority communities, and intercultural settings.
• Familiarity with digital tools and cultural heritage documentation practices, including experience in projects involving mapping, digital humanities, or cultural informatics.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office and research-related digital tools for documentation, analysis, and reporting.
• Demonstrated understanding of religious dynamics, interfaith relations, and socio-political contexts in Southeast Europe and the Balkans.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to conduct independent research and contribute to interdisciplinary projects.
• Experience in organizing and moderating academic discussions, workshops, or teaching activities, including engagement with students and research participants.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; knowledge of Greek and other regional languages is considered an asset.
• Previous experience with academic, research, or culturally-oriented programmes is preferred.

Benefits

• Fully remote