The Sahara Centre invites applications for the position of Research Assistant, for a three-month or six-month fixed-term placement tied to specific research projects. This is a fully remote position, and applications are welcome from anywhere, including outside Lagos or Nigeria.

Grounded in a mission to reframe indigenous knowledge as intelligence for Africa’s development, The Sahara Centre is a Lagos based independent think tank that positions indigenous intelligence as the missing variable in African development thinking; moving indigenous knowledge from its current ‘heritage’ positioning to strategic intelligence to catalyse development on the continent. The Centre’s activities include Lantern Lab, a critical thinking laboratory; INDIGO, a fellowship style intellectual community; white paper salons; and the Mangrove Sessions, comprising film screenings and a book club.

The Sahara Centre is building a small yet deliberate team and welcomes applications from individuals who can work to a high standard, demonstrate judgement and attention to detail.

Reporting to the Research Manager, the Research Assistant supports active research projects through literature review, data collection, and drafting support.

Applications should include a letter of interest, preferred duration of availability (three or six months), salary expectations, and a curriculum vitae, and should be submitted to Abena at culture at saharacentre dot org.

The search will continue until the position is successfully filled.

More information about the role is provided below.

Role Overview

The Research Assistant exists to support the research team on its projects, contributing background research, data support, and drafting under direct supervision, working fully remotely.

Key Responsibilities
Research Support

• Conducts literature review and background research as directed by the assigned project lead.
• Supports data collection and basic data cleaning for assigned projects.
• Drafts sections of research output for review by the assigned project lead.

Documentation

• Maintains organized records and documentation for assigned research tasks.
• Tracks sources and citations accurately in line with the Centre’s standards.

Participation

• Participates virtually in relevant Centre programming, including Lantern Lab sessions, as assigned.
• Attends virtual check ins with the assigned project lead and acts on feedback.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Recently completed a Master’s degree, or enrolled in PhD candidacy, in a relevant field.
• Strong candidates with a 1st or 2nd Class Upper Bachelor’s degree may be considered.

Experience

• Prior research experience through coursework, a thesis, or a prior internship at a development-focused organization is an advantage.
• Some demonstrated writing or research output that shows analytical capability.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic research methods and source evaluation skills appropriate to the assigned project.
• Ability to follow direction closely and deliver assigned tasks on schedule.
• Interest in indigenous knowledge, African development, and the Centre’s core intellectual themes.
• Comfort working independently in a remote setting, with reliable internet access and the discipline to stay on schedule without in-person oversight.

Working Environment

This is a fully remote position for the duration of the fixed term placement, typically three to six months, tied to specific projects. There is no requirement to be based in Lagos or in Nigeria.

Candidates should have reliable internet access and be able to join scheduled virtual check-ins during Lagos working hours, West Africa Time.