Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) – Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics or International Political Economy German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Germany

The German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) in Hamburg invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) with a regional focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The position is centered on Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics, or International Political Economy, and it is embedded in GIGA’s interdisciplinary research environment on global and regional developments.

GIGA is an independent social-science research institute based in Hamburg. Its work examines political, social, and economic developments across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, linking region-specific expertise with comparative research on accountability and participation, peace and security, globalization and development, and global orders and foreign policies.

The successful candidate will conduct excellent research with strong real-world relevance and should outline a coherent research agenda related to the MENA region. Potential topics include the comparative study of conflicts, weaponized interdependence and warfare, autocratization and democratization, domestic politics and institutions, international political economy, energy economics, regional governance, foreign policy analysis, misinformation and repression, and the political challenges of digitalization.

The fellow will join the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and at least one of the institute’s four cross-regional research programmes: Accountability and Participation, Peace and Security, Globalisation and Development, or Global Orders and Foreign Policies. The role also includes participation in knowledge exchange and outreach, such as media engagement and policy advisory activities. There are no teaching obligations, although teaching at a partner university may be possible.

This is a full-time postdoctoral appointment with an initial contract of three years and the possibility of a further three-year extension after successful evaluation and depending on available funds. The salary is commensurate with EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD. The institute states that the position is designed for further professional qualification under the German fixed-term contract framework.

Applicants must hold a very good doctoral degree, or have submitted a PhD thesis, in Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Economics, or a related discipline, or in History. A publication track record, strong qualitative and/or quantitative comparative methods, MENA fieldwork experience, English fluency, and fluency in at least one regional language are required. Preferred experience includes competitive third-party funding, knowledge of German or willingness to learn it, and prior policy-exchange or knowledge-transfer work.

Applications must be submitted through the GIGA careers portal only. Candidates should upload a cover letter, CV, publication list, research outline, supporting certificates or diplomas, and the email addresses of two referees. Screening of applications begins on 15 October 2026.

For more information, applicants may visit the GIGA website or contact Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz by email at [email protected].