Intern (m/f/d), The (Geo-)Politics of Global Telecommunications

Internship Opportunity: The (Geo-)Politics of Global Telecommunications

Join the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, where we are dedicated to fostering an international, diverse and inclusive academic work environment. We are looking for a motivated intern to be a part of our high-level research project, "The (Geo-)Politics of Global Telecommunications".

Deep Dive into Our Research Project: As an intern, you will play an active role in our research project on the geopolitics of global telecommunication infrastructure, with a special focus on international undersea cables and satellites spanning telegraphy, telephone, and the internet. How does geopolitics shape the world’s telecommunication infrastructure in history and today? How can our communication networks be made more resilient? To answer these questions, we look to the past. We will study how great power competition has influenced international investments in undersea telecommunication cables and satellites over a span of 140 years and how telecom networks have become more/less resilient as a result. To achieve this, we analyze granular data on the characteristics and telecommunication cables and satellites from around the world, leveraging tools like Excel, Stata, QGIS, and Python.

Why Join Us?

• Be Part of a Vibrant Team: Engage with our dynamic, friendly, and research-driven team that has a large international network.
• Dive Deep into Research: Gain hands-on experience in an exciting and policy relevant research project studying how the international order (or “geopolitics”) shapes the formation of global infrastructure, especially international undersea cables and satellites spanning telegraphy, telephone, and the internet.
• Expand Your Skill Set: Work with tools like Stata, Python, Excel, and QGIS, and delve into historical sources for economic research.
• Collaborate with Leading Scholars: Collaborate with leading international researchers and gain insights into state-of-the-art research methodologies.
• Flexible Work Options: Opt for a full-time role or a part-time working week, based on your preference. You can work remotely or immerse yourself in our dynamic environment in Kiel.

Who Are We Looking For?

• A student with a strong academic record, who is self-driven and has attention to detail
• Very good level of English, both written and spoken. German language skills not required
• Interest in topics such as international economics, spatial economics, international politics, economic history, and international finance
• Ideally someone with experience in programming (Stata, Python, or QGIS) and network analysis. These are bonuses, but not required

Application Details:

• Apply via our website with ID-No. "Intern_Geopolitics"
• Attach the following: Cover letter, CV, recent university transcript (in German or English), and optionally, an academic writing sample (e.g. seminar paper, not required)
• Ensure you are currently enrolled as a student. Non-EU citizens should possess necessary work permits
• Please avoid attaching your photo
• The standard internship duration is three months, but longer or somewhat shorter stays can be made possible

For any queries regarding the position or the application process, feel free to reach out to Michael Porcellacchia. We look forward to receiving your applications and embarking on this exciting project together!