Research associate for the Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport
Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne
Start date: November 1st, 2025
Application deadline: August 31, 2025
The Institute of Sport Sciences is seeking to appoint a research associate in the field of political sciences / sociology / gender studies and sport, in order to support the development of Global Observatory for Gender Equality & Sport (GO).
The Global Observatory is an international NGO with the aim of monitoring progress and influencing policy and practice towards gender equality across Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport (PEPAS). The University of Lausanne is its main academic partner.
Context of the Role
As part of its commitment to support the Global Observatory’s efforts to establish data and research enabling the measurement of gender inequalities in sport, to identify challenges, and to facilitate changes towards greater equality between women and men in and through sport, the University of Lausanne will provide this Research Associate position to a candidate who can contribute to this mission.
The Research Associate will contribute to UNIL’s support of the GO, particularly in advancing its research and knowledge collation and translation mandate. In this capacity, the position will provide substantial support for achieving research engagement outcomes in the following areas:
- Collating data, knowledge and research on gender equality and PEPAS
- Connecting research expertise with policy and practice communities
- Contributing to the development of research agendas, methods and products
- Convening expertise to exchange and advance learning across sectors
This position is aimed at early or mid-career academics with exciting and innovative qualitative as well as quantitative research expertise in the field of sport for development and gender and/or sport policy.
Job description
This role is designed to reinforce UNIL’s institutional backing to the GO and the responsibilities include:
- Research and knowledge support
- Collating relevant data, knowledge, and resources on gender equality and PEPAS
- Global Monitoring Data – supporting the collation and piloting of indicators
- Monitoring research and policy developments to inform the GO’s work and stakeholder engagement
- Coordinating and contributing to research documents and products developed in collaboration with the GO
- Reviewing and providing inputs on research materials produced by GO stakeholders
- Coordinating initiatives such as the Policy Brief Series and Good Practice Series, ensuring quality, timelines, and author engagement
- Stakeholder engagement and coordination
- Facilitating collaboration between GO members, research experts, and policy/practice communities worldwide
- Identifying and connecting with potential networks and contributors
- Events
- Supporting the development and delivery of the research-related components of the GO’s annual conference programme
- Preparing and delivering research-related presentations at GO-related events or external stakeholder engagements
- Other
- Carrying out ad hoc duties required to ensure UNIL’s effective support to the GO