Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the “Ending External Interventions” Project German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Germany

The German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg, Germany, is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the “Ending External Interventions: Success, Failure and Exit Dilemmas” project, funded by the Leibniz Competition. GIGA is a leading independent social-science research institute focused on political, social, and economic developments across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, with a strong emphasis on global significance and comparative research.

This full-time, three-year postdoctoral position will commence on 1 September 2026 and is designed for further professional qualification under the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act (§ 2 WissZeitVG). The successful candidate will join a dynamic project team, working alongside two Doctoral Research Fellows and the Principal Investigator, Prof. Dr. Julia Grauvogel. The project investigates how the outcomes of external interventions—such as sanctions, peacekeeping missions, and military operations—impact their termination and the legacies that follow. The research aims to fill gaps in understanding exit decisions and post-exit consequences, employing advanced quantitative methods including survey experiments and causal inference approaches.

Key responsibilities include co-designing and implementing survey experiments, conducting advanced statistical analyses, supervising research assistants in dataset coding, and contributing to project coordination and event organisation. The position offers opportunities for independent research development, mentoring, academic networking through conferences and workshops, and access to funding for methods and soft-skills training. While there are no mandatory teaching obligations, the fellow may teach at Leuphana University of Lüneburg or other GIGA partner universities if desired.

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (or have submitted their dissertation by the time of appointment) in Political Science, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related discipline. Essential qualifications include a strong interest in external interventions in armed conflict, an emerging publication record in peer-reviewed journals, expertise in advanced quantitative methods, and excellent English language skills. German is not required. Desired qualifications include experience with policy-exchange and knowledge-transfer activities. The institute values diversity, work-life balance, and actively encourages applications from international candidates and persons with disabilities.

Salary is commensurate with EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD, and additional funding is available for training. To apply, candidates should complete the online application form and submit a single document containing their cover letter, CV (with publications), and credentials. A brief research plan (max. 2 pages) and a work sample (PDF) are also required. Email applications are welcome. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide 1-2 letters of reference. Screening begins on 12 June 2026, with interviews scheduled for 29 June 2026 at GIGA in Hamburg.

For further information, visit the GIGA website or the project page, or contact Prof. Dr. Julia Grauvogel directly. This is an excellent opportunity for early-career researchers interested in the dynamics of external interventions and their global impact.