Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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 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

Applications are invited for a full-time position, with an initial contract of three years, with the possibility of another three years after successful evaluation. The successful applicant should start as soon as possible. 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 field of Latin America’s international relations, foreign policy, regional integration and multilateralism and will pursue an independent research agenda, to be briefly specified in the cover letter. This research agenda should be situated in GIGA’s overall research agenda contributing both to theoretical and empirical knowledge creation, preferably within a broadly understood International Relations perspective.

The successful candidate is also expected to actively engage in GIGA’s matrix structure and participate in knowledge exchange and academic services of the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies and GIGA’s research programmes, preferably in but not limited to Research Programme 4 on “Global Orders and Foreign Policies”.

Minimum Requirements:

• Excellent PhD in Social Sciences (Political Science, International Relations, or related disciplines)
• Strong theoretical and comparative methodological skills (qualitative and/or quantitative)
• Strong record of research experience in Latin American studies and/or International Relations
• Strong command of the English and Spanish or Portuguese language; German is an asset but not a prerequisite
• Academic publications, preferably in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals and/or renowned publishing houses
• Experience with field work in Latin America
• Experience with successful fundraising, preferably with competitive funding institutions

We welcome international applications. 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 application form (found at) and send it together with your full application (Ref.-No. GIGA-23-06), including relevant supporting documentation (cover letter, CV, credentials/diplomas/certificates, names and contact details of two references, list of publications, max. two work samples) by e-mail as one PDF file (except for the completed GIGA application form) to:

German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA)

ILAS Secretariat