Postdoctoral Opportunity in Public Procurement and Governance Reform
Positions: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Project Area: Public Procurement, Governance, Mixed-Methods Research
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Department of Economics at the Lebanese American University (LAU). Our research is dedicated to advancing understanding of public procurement reform in Lebanon, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of Public Procurement Law 244/2021. We seek a highly motivated individual to contribute to this research, which aims to generate rigorous evidence and actionable insights for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Lebanon’s public sector.
The selected candidate will join a funded project assessing the degree of compliance with the new public procurement law across Lebanese public agencies, municipalities, and contractors. By employing a mixed-methods approach—combining quantitative analysis of administrative data and qualitative insights from stakeholder interviews and case studies—this research will identify the main barriers to effective compliance, explore the influence of institutional and cultural factors, and propose evidence-based recommendations to inform ongoing reform efforts. The project aspires to support better public procurement systems and contribute to Lebanon’s broader governance and economic recovery.
Qualifications
- The Candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in designing and conducting both quantitative and qualitative research, including survey design, interview questionnaire development, fieldwork, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews.
- An established publication record in internationally recognised, peer-reviewed journals, as well as experience working on policy reports relevant to public policy, governance, or institutional studies.
- Experience working on interdisciplinary projects, preferably those involving mixed-methods approaches and research-policy linkages in Lebanon.
- Proven ability to synthesize empirical findings into actionable policy recommendations and communicate results effectively to academic, policy, and practitioner audiences.
- Proven experience in grant writing and developing research proposals.
- Strong organizational and collaborative skills, with experience mentoring junior researchers or students is considered an asset.
Application
To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your research interests, experience, publications and contact information for two references to economicsdepartment@lau.edu.lb.
The application deadline is October 15, 2025. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The position is expected to start on January 2026.
LAU is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all above mentioned backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive research environment.