Multilingual Markets: Investigating Language Skills for Informal Employment in Malawi

Description of project

This international, interdisciplinary project seeks to investigate language use and language attitudes in the informal labour market in Malawi. It focuses on language practices in urban and semi-urban marketplaces in each region of Malawi. The project adopts a mixed methods approach, consisting of qualitative ethnography and a quantitative skills survey.

Duties of the role

We seek Fieldwork Research Assistants to work on the project for a total of 6 months. This will consist of two 3-month periods of data collection. Exact periods of employment and renumeration will be stated in the contract letter on recruitment.

The RAs will be responsible for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, guided and supported by the Postdoctoral Research Assistant (PDRA), Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator team. The main duties of the RAs will be: 

  • Collect data in all 6 research sites over the course of the project, ensuring that data collection targets are met and are conducted following appropriate ethical processes.

  • Lead on tidying, transcribing, and analysing the data, producing translations where necessary.

  • Working with the other Research Assistants and PDRA.

  • Any other duties related to the project assigned to them

Job Criteria

Essential

  • Preferably an MA degree in Linguistics or Economics. However, candidates with Bachelor’s Degree majoring in these fields who possess extensive fieldwork experience shall also be considered.

  • Experience of relevant methods and data analysis techniques in either qualitative or quantitative methods

  • Experience of working as part of a team

  • Fluency in English and Chichewa (and additional Malawian languages are also desirable)

Application details

Please submit:

  • A full CV

  • A cover letter explaining how you meet the job criteria and your research experience and interests in relation to the project focus. Please outline if you are applying for the qualitative or quantitative RA role 

Applications should be submitted by Thursday, 20th March, 2025 through the following email address: multilingualmarkets@unima.ac.mw