Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

GIGA Hamburg • Hamburg, NY

1d

About The Position

The GIGA seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with expertise in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics, or International Political Economy. This is a full-time position with an initial contract of three years, potentially extendable for another three years based on evaluation and funding. The role is designed for further professional qualification and offers a salary commensurate with EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD. The successful candidate will conduct research on key questions and challenges within their field, with potential research areas including comparative conflict studies, weaponized interdependence, changing warfare phenomena, autocratization/democratization, domestic politics and institutions, international political economy, energy economics, regional governance, foreign policy analysis, misinformation, repression, and digitalization challenges. A corresponding research agenda is expected. The fellow will join the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and at least one of GIGA’s four cross-regional Research Programmes (RPs): Accountability and Participation (RP1), Peace and Security (RP2), Globalisation and Development (RP3), or Global Orders and Foreign Policies (RP4). The position requires excellent research with real-world relevance, participation in knowledge exchange and outreach activities (media engagement, policy advisory), and offers the possibility to teach at partner universities, though teaching is not a mandatory obligation.

Requirements

• A very good doctoral degree (or submitted PhD thesis) in Social Sciences (Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, or Economics and related Disciplines) or History.
• Emerging track record of publications in high-ranking journals and university presses.
• Strong command of qualitative and/or quantitative comparative methods.
• Field work experience in the MENA region.
• Fluency in English.
• Fluency in at least one language of the region (e.g. Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish).

Nice To Haves

• Emerging track record of attracting competitive third-party funding.
• Focus on Egypt, Iraq, Iran, or the Gulf region.
• Knowledge of German or willingness to learn it.
• Experience with policy exchange and knowledge transfer activities.

Responsibilities

• Conduct excellent research with real-world relevance on key questions and challenges in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics, or International Political Economy with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
• Outline a corresponding research agenda.
• Become a member of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and at least one of GIGA’s four cross-regional GIGA Research Programmes (RPs).
• Participate in knowledge exchange and outreach activities, including media engagement and policy advisory activities.
• Potentially teach at one of GIGA’s partner universities.

Benefits

• Part-time options will be considered.
• Diversity and the reconciliation of work and family life are of great importance.
• The GIGA promotes the equality of all genders.
• Actively encourage applications from persons with disabilities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree