Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

We seek

The GIGA seeks to appoint a 
 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Peace and Conflict Studies/ International Relations/ Comparative Politics or International Political Economy

 
Applications are invited for a full-time position, with an initial contract of three years and the possibility of another three years after successful evaluation and depending on the availability of funds. 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 EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD.

Your mission

The successful candidate will work on key questions and challenges in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics or International Political Economy with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Potential research areas include but are not limited to the comparative study of conflicts, weaponized interdependence and changing phenomena of warfare, autocratization and democratisation, domestic politics and/or institutions, international political economy, energy economics, regional governance and foreign policy analysis, questions of misinformation and repression, and the political challenges arising from digitalization. We expect the candidate to outline a corresponding research agenda. 
 
The successful candidate will become member of the GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and at least one of GIGA’s four cross-regional GIGA Research Programmes (RPs): Accountability and Participation (RP1), Peace and Security (RP2) Globalisation and Development (RP 3) or Global Orders and Foreign Policies (RP 4).  
 
The candidate is expected to conduct excellent research with real world relevance and, accordingly, to participate in knowledge exchange and outreach activities (media engagement, policy advisory activities). There are no teaching obligations for this position, but it will be possible to teach at one of GIGA’s partner universities.

Your profile

Mandatory qualifications:

• A very good doctoral degree (or submitted PhD thesis) in Social Sciences (Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, or Economics and related Disciplines) or History 
• Emerging track record of publications in high-ranking journals and university presses 
• Strong command of qualitative and/or quantitative comparative methods
• Field work experience in the MENA
• Fluency in English
• Fluency in at least one language of the region (e.g. Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish)

 
Desired qualifications:

• Emerging track record of attracting competitive third-party funding 
• Focus on Egypt, Iraq, Iran, or the Gulf region
• Knowledge of German or willingness to learn it
• Experience with policy exchange and knowledge transfer activities

Why us?

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 complete the application form below, including uploading relevant supporting documents in three separate files: (a) short cover letter with research outline, (b) CV with list of publications and e-mail addresses of two references, and (c) other credentials/diplomas/certificates). We only accept applications submitted via this form.
 
Screening of applications will begin on 15 October 2026. 
 
For further information, please visit the GIGA homepage (https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en) or contact Prof. Dr. Eckart Woertz (email: [email protected]).
 
GIGA Institute for Middle East Studies
Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany 

About us

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 to address questions of local and global significance. It combines region-specific analysis with innovative comparative research on accountability and participation, globalisation and development, peace and security, and global order and foreign policies.