Doctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) in the “Ending External Interventions” project with a focus on qualitative methods

The German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien is an independent social-science research institute based in Hamburg. It analyses political, social and economic developments in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, and links this knowledge to questions of global significance. It combines region-specific analysis with innovative comparative research on accountability and participation, peace and security, globalisation and development, and global orders and foreign policies. The GIGA seeks to appoint a Doctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) in the “Ending External Interventions” project with a focus on qualitative methods

Applications are invited for a 65 % position, with a contract of four years. The contract shall commence (preferred date) as of 1 September 2026. The position is designed for further professional qualification as defined in § 2 WissZeitVG (Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act). The salary is commensurate with EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD.

The successful candidate will work in the project “Ending External Interventions: Success, Failure and Exit Dilemmas” (funded by the Leibniz Competition) alongside another Doctoral Research Fellow, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and the Principal Investigator. The project is motivated by the question: How does the success or failure of external interventions affect their termination and post-exit legacies? Research on sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and military operations has addressed the effectiveness of these different types of intervention, but knowledge on exit decisions and post-exit legacies remains limited. The project will thus analyse the causes, processes, and consequences of ending external interventions.

The successful candidates will contribute to the project’s qualitative analyses of exit dilemmas and post-exit legacies related to one of GIGA’s study regions by conducting interviews, focus groups and/or archival research. This position will also contribute to the organization of colloquia, workshops and other types of events. The GIGA strongly encourages concurrent work on a doctoral degree. The Research Fellow would become a member of the GIGA Doctoral Programme. The successful candidate will benefit from mentoring, opportunities to build their academic network via conferences/workshops, and access to funding for methods and soft-skills training. There are no teaching obligations for this position, but it will be possible to teach at Leuphana University of Lüneburg or one of GIGA’s other partner universities if so desired by the successful candidate.

Mandatory qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline by the time of appointment

• Knowledge of or keen interest in the topic of external interventions in armed conflict

• Ability to apply state-of-the-art qualitative methods such as expert interviews, focus groups, process tracing or archival research

• Strong command of spoken and written English; German-language skills are not a prerequisite

• Strong team spirit, organisational skills, and ability to work independently

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with policy-exchange and knowledge-transfer activities

• Relevant language skills for one of GIGA’s study regions

Other part-time options will be considered, if so desired by the successful candidate. We strongly welcome international applications. 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 fill out the application form and send it together with your full application, including relevant supporting documentation (cover letter, CV, other credentials/diplomas/certificates), as one document to the below address. Applicants are kindly requested to submit a brief plan outlining their intended research within the scope of the project (max. 2 pages) as part of the application. Please also provide one work sample as a separate PDF. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide 1-2 letters of reference.

German Institute for Global and Area Studies Neuer Jungfernstieg 21 Email: [email protected] (email applications are particularly welcome).

Screening of applications will begin on 12 June 2026. Interviews are scheduled to take place on 2 and 3 July 2026 at the GIGA in Hamburg, Germany.

For further information, please visit the GIGA website and project website or contact Prof. Dr. Julia Grauvogel (email: [email protected]).