1 Researcher/Senior Researcher (m/f/d) for the “Research and Transfer Project Arms Control and Emerging Technologies – Phase II"

About us

The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) is seeking, as soon as possible and subject to the availability of funds

1 Researcher/Senior Researcher (m/f/d) for the “Research and Transfer Project Arms Control and Emerging Technologies – Phase II" at IFSH full-time (100 %, up to 4 years). The salary group corresponds to EG13 TV-AVH. The position is based in Hamburg. The term of office ends, the latest, on 31 December 2026.

The IFSH is an interdisciplinary research institution based at the University of Hamburg and is funded by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The research activities of the IFSH centre on the analysis of current peace and security developments as well as challenges with a focus on the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian areas. The transfer of knowledge from research into politics and society is a fundamental component of the Institute's work.

The research and transfer project "Arms Control and Emerging Technologies – Phase II" conducts interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant work and aims to strengthen international arms control mechanisms and disarmament efforts in a time of crisis of multilateralism. The project is implemented with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office and continues successful work from the first project phase (2019-2022), which made IFSH a leading international hub on these topics.

The advertised position will deal with the current wave of technological change and its complex interactions with broader geopolitical trends such as the rise of China. Research will take a specific view on the regulation (e.g., through arms control measures) of emerging technologies of concern. Research in the project during the next four years, could include, among other things, on missile defense, autonomous weapons systems, AI and machine learning, the weaponization of space, and the nuclear-conventional nexus in the area of new technologies and delivery systems, as well as associated risk-reducing measures. It will also address ethical questions of warfare, particularly related to emerging technologies. The position will not focus on questions of international cyber security.

We are looking for ambitious researchers, who enjoy working in a dynamic, young and interdisciplinary environment at the intersection of cutting-edge research and policy advice.

Your tasks

•      You actively contribute to research and policy advice in the field of emerging technologies, their interactions with broader geopolitical trends, and their regulation through arms control measures. 
•         You conduct research on either one or more of the following topics: missile defense, autonomous weapons systems, AI and machine learning, weaponization of space, new nuclear-conventional technologies and delivery systems.
•       You publish your research results in peer-reviewed international publications and on relevant policy platforms.
•        You disseminate your research results through transfer activities (public events, conferences, media contacts) vis-à-vis national, international and transnational actors.
•     You help expanding the Institute’s work on emerging technologies, potentially through additional fund raising.

Your profile

·         You have a university degree in the social or natural sciences or another degree relevant to the position. Your doctorate in a relevant field has been completed or is in its final phase. Alternatively, you have several years of equivalent research experience.

·         Your expertise in the field of emerging technologies is proven by a record of high quality, peer-reviewed publications.

·         You have initial experience in policy advice and in the transfer of your research results to politics and society.

·         International research experience and networking is a clear plus.

·         Ideally, you have initial experience in the acquisition, development and implementation of research projects.

·         You have an excellent command of written and spoken English. German, or the willingness to learn the language, is an asset.

·         You have excellent communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team; you are self-motivated and well-organised.

Your application

The IFSH has set itself the goal of promoting the careers of women and is, therefore, particularly interested in applications from women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are given priority in these areas in accordance with the Hamburg Equal Opportunities Act, provided they have equivalent qualifications. Severely disabled persons are also expressly invited to apply. We also encourage applications from individuals with disabilities.

Your application in the context of the advertised position should consist of a cover letter, a research plan (1-2 pages) within the context of the advertised position, a current CV and publications list. Please send all documents exclusively electronically to bewerbung@ifsh.de by 20 January 2023 (please send them as one single PDF file of maximum 8 MB in size).

For further information, please contact Dr. Ulrich Kühn (kuehn@ifsh.de).

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