Visiting Fellows at the GIGA

The GIGA Visiting Fellows Programme is open to outstanding postdoctoral researchers with a focus on global transitions who are engaged in comparative and interdisciplinary research. The GIGA is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates who:

• want to apply for a fellowship with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, in the joint Leibniz/DAAD programme, or as part of the EC’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions;

• aim to submit a proposal to the European Research Council;

• are about to finish a book manuscript with a renowned university press or other major publishing house; or

• want to use their sabbatical as an opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research within a team of like-minded colleagues.

As a Visiting Fellow, you will be fully integrated into the GIGA’s research matrix: you will be part of one of our four Regional Institutes and of at least one Research Programme. You will benefit from:

• a vibrant research environment as part of an international team of political scientists, economists, sociologists, anthropologists, and historians;

• exposure to exclusive policy-advice activities;

• access to the GIGA Libary, Germany’s largest information centre on Area Studies and Comparative Area Studies; and

• a well-established international scholar network.

Please be aware that we do not offer funded fellowships. However, we are happy to support your application for external funding with the above-mentioned institutions and are curious to hear about your ideas.

Please contact a potential facilitator at the GIGA to back your candidacy and provide him/her with the necessary documentation on your proposed endeavour. If you have not been in touch with the GIGA to date and would like to become a Visiting Fellow, please send a detailed outline of your research plans – providing compelling arguments for their potential contribution to the GIGA’s work – to the facilitator. As the GIGA only takes in a limited number of Visiting Fellows per year, please make sure to apply well in advance of your intended stay.

If you are a PhD student and would like to become a visiting doctoral researcher at the GIGA, please get in touch with the relevant Regional Institute (please contact the responsible assistant). External doctoral researchers with high-quality projects and close relation to the GIGA’s research agenda may apply for a position as a visiting doctoral researcher for a period between two and twelve months. To apply we ask you for a motivation letter (clearly stating the period you would like to stay as well as how your research fits into our institute's research structure), CV, research proposal, reference letter of your supervisor, and proof of enrolment as a PhD student.