The Sahara Centre Is Hiring for 2 Fully Remote Research Jobs – Apply From Anywhere
The Sahara Centre is recruiting for two exciting fully remote research opportunities for professionals and emerging researchers interested in African development, indigenous knowledge and evidence-based research.
The Lagos-based independent think tank is looking for candidates for the positions of Research Assistant and Researcher. Both opportunities are offered on a fixed-term basis for approximately three or six months, and candidates can work remotely from anywhere in the world.
These roles provide an opportunity to contribute to research examining how indigenous knowledge can be understood and applied as strategic intelligence for Africa’s development.
About The Sahara Centre
The Sahara Centre is an independent think tank based in Lagos, Nigeria, focused on reframing indigenous knowledge as intelligence for Africa’s development.
The Centre seeks to move indigenous knowledge beyond its traditional heritage positioning and explore its potential as a strategic resource for development across Africa.
Its activities include initiatives such as Lantern Lab, INDIGO, white paper salons and the Mangrove Sessions.
As part of its work, the Centre is building a focused team of researchers and professionals capable of producing rigorous, high-quality research and intellectual outputs.
1. Research Assistant – Remote
The first opportunity is for a Research Assistant who will support active research projects under the guidance of a Research Manager.
Position: Research Assistant
Location: Remote / Worldwide
Contract: Fixed-term, 3 or 6 months
Closing Date: Until the position is successfully filled
The role is particularly suitable for early-career researchers who want to gain practical experience supporting research projects.
Key Responsibilities
The Research Assistant will contribute to research activities including:
- Conducting literature reviews and background research.
- Supporting data collection and basic data cleaning.
- Drafting sections of research outputs for review.
- Maintaining organized research records and documentation.
- Tracking sources and citations accurately.
- Participating virtually in Centre programming, including Lantern Lab sessions.
- Attending virtual meetings with the assigned project lead.
- Responding to feedback and completing assignments on schedule.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate strong research discipline, attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
Research Assistant Qualifications
Applicants should have recently completed a Master’s degree or be enrolled in PhD candidacy in a relevant field.
Candidates with a First Class or Second Class Upper Bachelor’s degree may also be considered.
Previous research experience gained through university coursework, a thesis or an internship with a development-focused organization would be an advantage.
Applicants should also demonstrate basic knowledge of research methods, source evaluation and analytical writing.
An interest in indigenous knowledge, African development and the Centre’s intellectual themes is particularly relevant.
2. Researcher – Remote
The Sahara Centre is also recruiting a more experienced Researcher to conduct independent and collaborative research supporting the Centre’s intellectual agenda.
Position: Researcher
Location: Remote / Worldwide
Contract: Fixed-term, 3 or 6 months
Closing Date: Until the position is successfully filled
The Researcher will contribute to academic and policy publications and design and execute original research aligned with the Centre’s priorities.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Design and execute original research projects.
- Apply appropriate qualitative or quantitative research methods.
- Manage research timelines and deliverables.
- Draft academic journal articles and policy papers.
- Produce public-facing research outputs.
- Represent the Centre’s research at conferences and relevant networks.
- Participate in virtual Centre programming.
- Contribute to the Centre’s publishing programme.
- Supervise Research Interns and Graduate Assistants where required.
- Contribute research expertise to Centre programming.
This position is suited to researchers who can independently manage projects from the development of a research question through to publication.
Researcher Qualifications and Experience
Applicants for the Researcher position should ideally hold a PhD in an area relevant to the Centre’s research agenda, such as Development Studies, African Studies, Political Economy or a related discipline.
Candidates with a strong Master’s degree or those nearing completion of a PhD with a confirmed defence date may also be considered.
Applicants should have a demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed journals or comparable academic and policy outlets.
Experience designing and executing independent research projects is important, while experience supervising junior researchers, interns or graduate assistants would be an advantage.
Strong qualitative and quantitative research capabilities are also expected.
Fully Remote Working Arrangement
Both positions are fully remote, meaning applicants do not need to be based in Lagos or Nigeria.
Candidates can work from anywhere in the world, provided they have reliable internet access and can participate in scheduled virtual meetings during Lagos working hours, West Africa Time.
This makes the opportunities potentially attractive to African researchers and international professionals seeking flexible remote research roles.
How to Apply
Applications for both positions should include:
- A letter of interest
- Preferred availability of three or six months
- Salary expectations
- Curriculum vitae
Applications, nominations and expressions of interest should be submitted through The Sahara Centre’s careers page.
Applications remain open until the positions are successfully filled, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.
Final Takeaway
The Sahara Centre Research Assistant and Researcher opportunities offer remote opportunities for individuals interested in African development, indigenous knowledge and rigorous research.
The Research Assistant role is particularly suitable for recent Master’s graduates, PhD candidates and strong early-career researchers, while the Researcher position is designed for professionals with advanced research experience and a publication record.
For candidates passionate about producing research that contributes to Africa’s intellectual, policy and development landscape, these opportunities provide a chance to work with a globally distributed research team while contributing to meaningful projects.
Apply early because both positions will remain open only until successfully filled.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
