Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Sustainable Supply Chains

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, linking 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 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d)    Sustainable Supply Chains

Applications are invited for a full-time position with a contract of 42 months, pending final funding approval. The successful applicant is expected to start in September 2024, but a later date may be negotiated. 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 be working in the collaborative research project (“Wissenschaftsraum (WR) Sustainability Governance of Global Value Chains (GVCs)”) a joint initiative of Leuphana University Lüneburg (in the lead), University of Osnabrück, Carl-von-Ossietzky-University Oldenburg, and the GIGA. The overarching guiding question of the WR, to be approached through an inter- and transdisciplinary programme, is: What are the actual and potential impacts of supply chain laws and related governance initiatives to promote a transformation of GVC on sustainability? The WR is supported by the State of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation.

Specifically, the candidate is expected to work on a project that examines the effects of supply chain regulation on producers in the Global South. Based on selected case studies, qualitative and quantitative methods will be used in a mixed-methods approach in a “nested” research design. First, the project aims to analyse the supply chains of Lower Saxony companies in the Global South (with a focus on food, automotive, and renewable energy industries). Using data on country- and sector-specific risks, a risk profile of specific supply chains will be created. Second, in qualitative interviews with selected companies (according to potential risks), the implications of the Supply Chain Act for their supply chain and production conditions in the Global South will be examined. In a third step, this view of companies in Lower Saxony will be supplemented by two case studies in different countries, in which specific effects and risks are analysed on site (can be quantitative and/or qualitative). We expect the candidate to submit a short concept note in which this project is conceptually and empirically operationalised (e.g. potentially useful data sources, country cases, research designs for impact studies, etc.). 

The candidate is expected to conduct excellent research with real-world relevance and, accordingly, to participate in knowledge-exchange and outreach activities of the GIGA (media engagement, policy advice, and similar). There are no teaching obligations for this position, but the Institute offers support in finding teaching opportunities at one of the GIGA’s partner universities.

Mandatory qualifications:

• A doctoral degree (or advanced PhD studies) in (Development or International) Eco- nomics or Business (with some economics training)
• Proven proficiency of quantitative methods using survey data
• Emerging academic track record on sustainability in GVCs (or closely related topics)
• English-language proficiency

Desired qualifications:

• Qualitative methods
• Fieldwork experience in at least one of the GIGA’s study regions
• Successful fundraising, preferably with competitive funding bodies
• Previous interaction with relevant stakeholders (policymakers, development practitioners, etc.)
• Experience in knowledge-exchange activities

Part-time options will be considered, if so 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 fill out the GIGA application form (found at https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/career) as part of your full submission (Ref.-No. GIGA-24-10), including relevant supporting documentation: (1) GIGA application form (1 page), (2) short cover letter (max. 1 page), (3) CV (max. 2 pages); (4) list of publications (max. 2 pages); (5) research outline (max. 1 page); (6) other credentials/diplomas/certificates (max. 6 pages). Items (1) to (6) should be compiled into one PDF, which should not exceed 14 pages in length. Please also provide two work samples as separate PDFs. Recommendation letters are optional and should be sent directly to the below email address indicating the candidate’s name in the subject line. 

German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

Email: jobs-24-10@giga-hamburg.de (email applications are particularly welcome).

Screening of applications will begin on 23 June 2024.

For further information, please visit the GIGA website (www.giga-hamburg.de) or contact Apl. Prof. Dr. Jann Lay (email: jann.lay@giga-hamburg.de).