Visiting Fellowship

Position description

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 facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  

The ME Council serves as a bridge between the MENA region and the rest of the world, providing a regional perspective on global policy issues and establishing partnerships with other leading research centers and development organizations across the MENA region and the world. 

Visiting Fellowship Program 

The ME Council hosts up to four Visiting Fellows each year. Following a competitive selection process, Visiting Fellows take up residence at ME Council in Qatar, Doha, for a period of 3 months minimum and up to a full year.  

Visiting Fellows conduct individual research, interact with other researchers and policymakers, present their research at events, and contribute to the various activities of the ME Council. Visiting Fellows receive a grant to cover the costs of living and research while in Doha. ME Council covers the cost of a round-trip ticket to and from Doha.   

Visiting Fellow Research 

Visiting Fellows pursue their own research agenda, including publishing articles, books, and/or op-eds. They also contribute to the ME Council’s research output, according to an agreed upon research plan. The ME Council publishes a variety of policy-oriented papers, briefs, and notes ranging in length between 1,500 – 5,500 words.  

The primary language of publication is English. Final reports will be published in both English and Arabic.  Proposed research projects and outputs should broadly be related to the ME Council’s three main program areas: (1) Foreign Policy and Security, (2) Governance and Development, and (3) Conflict and Transitions.  

While the ME Council welcomes applications covering a wide variety of disciplines and interests covering its main thematic areas, which can be found on its website (mecouncil.org), it encourages applications that cover one or more of its priority issues, these include:  

• Iran: geopolitics, regional security, domestic socio-economic and political issues and the JCPOA
• Foreign policy and geopolitics of the Gulf
• Energy policy and energy transition
• Sustainability and climate change
• Digital Policy
• Pathways to conflict resolution (including mediation and track II initiatives)
• Post-conflict recovery and transitions
• Asia – Middle East relations

Alongside their individual research projects, Visiting Fellows are expected to be active members of the ME Council community, engaging with colleagues, and participating in research projects, public events, monthly meetings, policy roundtables, and contributing to the ME Council’s blog (Afkār) with articles covering relevant, current policy issues. Fellows have the opportunity to engage with policymakers, academics, government officials, business leaders, and journalists. International media frequently call on Fellows to provide commentary and analysis.  

Qualifications

Applicants should have (1) a Ph.D. in a field relevant to the area of research or (2) an advanced/graduate degree with at least five years of professional experience in a relevant field. They must have a demonstrated ability to conduct professional,in-depth research and a proven record of publishing and fluency in English. Working knowledge of Arabic is a plus. Visiting Fellows must be available for a full-time affiliation and be based in Qatar.   

Application instructions

Applicants should submit the following documents:  

• A CV including professional and educational experience, three references, full contact information, and a list of publications.
• 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 ME Council and must not be co-authored.
• An original research proposal 800 to 1,000 words long. The proposal should include the activities and outputs to be completed during the fellowship, key questions to be addressed, relevance to policymakers, methods of research, and estimated timelines and costs (if any).

A cover letter, along with any additional information, that should include the preferred start date and fellowship duration (between 3 and 12 months). 

Timeline and Deadline 

The ME Council reviews applications primarily twice each year. Applications are due by March 15 for a Fellowship beginning in the Fall of the same year, and July 15 for a Fellowship beginning in the Spring of the following year. Other submissions and start dates for exceptional proposals will be considered as well. 

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