Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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 order and foreign policies. The GIGA seeks to appoint a 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (M/F/D) 

Applications are invited for a 100% position, with a contract of 1 year, preferably starting on 1 May 2025. The position is designed for further professional qualification as defined in § 2 WissZeitVG (Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act). The salary is commensurate with TV-AVH / TVöD EG 13. 

The successful candidate will work in the project Targeting: How the USA and EU Use Individual Sanctions (INSA), funded by the German Foundation for Peace Research (DSF). 

The project systematically analyses and compares the sanctions listing decisions – in respect to individuals and entities – of the USA and the EU as the main bilateral global sanction senders. The main focus of the advertised position is the use of advanced statistical methods to analyze US and EU individual sanctions lists and finalize a database of listed individuals and entities, which has been established using computational text analysis. 

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the further development of the project and use advanced statistical techniques to investigate the selection/listings of individuals and entities as sanction targets by the USA and the EU.
• (Co-)author at least two manuscripts for submission to high-ranking scholarly journals.
• Participate in the GIGA Research Programme “Peace and Security” and one of the GIGA’s regional institutes. 

Your qualifications:

• A very good doctoral degree / PhD (or advanced doctoral studies; employment can start only after the doctoral / PhD thesis is submitted) in data science and/or social sciences (political science, international relations, economics, or related disciplines).
• Sound quantitative methodological skills, including advanced statistical skills, preferably also regarding computational text analysis in handling unstructured text.
• Knowledge of or keen interest in the topic of sanctions and individual sanctions.
• Strong command of spoken and written English; German-language skills are not a prerequisite. 

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 (found at https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/career/) and send it together with your full application (Ref.-No. GIGA-25-04), including relevant supporting documentation (a cover/motivation letter including methodological expertise (2 pages max.), CV including list of publications, copies of degree certificate(s), as one PDF file (except for the completed GIGA application form) to: 

German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)

GIGA Institute for African Affairs

Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

E-mail: jobs-25-04@giga-hamburg.de (e-mail applications are particularly welcome). 

Screening of applications will be done on a rolling basis, beginning on 7 April 2025, until the position is filled. The contract shall commence (preferred date) as of 1 May 2025. For further information, please visit the GIGA homepage (www.giga-hamburg.de) or contact the principal investigator Prof. Dr. Christian von Soest (e-mail: christian.vonsoest@giga-hamburg.de).   

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