Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) Science Diplomacy, Peace and Conflict Studies, Middle East Studies (Palestinian Territories / MENA Region)

Hamburg

Vollzeit

Befristet

Wir suchen

The GIGA seeks to appoint a

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) Science Diplomacy, Peace and Conflict Studies, Middle East Studies (Palestinian Territories / MENA Region)

Applications are invited for a full-time position from 1 April 2027 until 30 June 2034. The position is funded through the project “Strengthening Palestinian-German Science Bridge” (PGSBstrong) and is remunerated according to EG13 TV-AVH / TVöD-VKA.

Ihre Aufgaben

The successful candidate will be based at the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and the cross-regional Research Programme Peace and Security. They will coordinate and implement the Work Package “Sustainability and Effectiveness” within the PGSBstrong project. This includes conducting qualitative and mixed-methods research on science diplomacy and international research cooperation, as well as fieldwork and stakeholder engagement in the Palestinian Territories. The position involves producing academic and policy-oriented outputs, contributing to project evaluations and administration, presenting research findings at academic and policy events, and engaging in outreach and knowledge-transfer activities. The successful candidate will work closely with project partners in Germany and the Palestinian Territories and support the organisation of project events, including the “Science Bridge Days”.

Candidates with strong personal, academic, or professional ties to the Palestinian Territories are particularly encouraged to apply.

Ihr Profil

Mandatory qualifications:

A very good doctoral degree (or submitted PhD thesis) in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Middle East Studies, or a related discipline
Research/work experience related to science diplomacy, international academic cooperation, higher-education policy, or capacity building
Demonstrated expertise in qualitative methods; experience with mixed-methods research is an advantage
Strong knowledge of the politics and societies of the Palestinian Territories and the wider Middle East and North Africa region
Strong emerging publication record and commitment to academic excellence
Ability to work independently while coordinating activities within a large collaborative project
Fluency in Arabic and English.

Desired qualifications:

Familiarity with programme evaluation, impact assessment, or policy-oriented research
Experience conducting fieldwork and stakeholder-based research in conflict-affected settings
Experience working with governmental, international, or civil-society stakeholders
Knowledge of German or willingness to learn it
Experience with policy exchange and knowledge transfer activities.

Warum wir?

We offer:

A unique opportunity to contribute to a major international science diplomacy initiative
Integration into one of Europe’s leading institutes for area studies and comparative political research
Access to international academic and policy networks
Support for professional development through GIGA’s talent-management programmes
Opportunities for fieldwork, international collaboration, and policy engagement
A stimulating interdisciplinary research environment in Hamburg

Part-time options will be considered if desired by the successful candidate. Diversity and the reconciliation of work and family life are of great importance to the institute. The GIGA promotes the equality of all genders. Additionally, we actively encourage applications from persons with disabilities.

Please visit our careers page (https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/career) and complete the application form. Please upload the relevant documents (cover letter, CV, list of publications, one writing sample, and a brief research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining how your research interests relate to the themes of the project.) as separate files. We can only accept applications submitted via our careers page.

GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies
Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

Screening of applications will begin on 21 December 2026..

For further information, please visit the GIGA homepage (www.giga-hamburg.de) or contact Prof. Dr. Christiane Fröhlich (email: christiane.froehlich@giga-hamburg.de ).

Über uns

Das German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien ist ein unabhängiges sozialwissenschaftliches Forschungsinstitut mit Sitz in Hamburg. Es analysiert politische, soziale und wirtschaftliche Entwicklungen in Afrika, Asien, Lateinamerika und dem Nahen Osten, um Fragen von lokaler und globaler Bedeutung zu beantworten. Es verbindet regionalspezifische Analysen mit innovativer vergleichender Forschung zu Verantwortlichkeit und Partizipation, Globalisierung und Entwicklung, Frieden und Sicherheit sowie globaler Ordnung und Außenpolitik.