Job Advertisement: Senior Researcher (f/m/diverse) “Transformation of political (dis-)order”

The German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) is one of the world’s leading research institutions and think tanks for global sustainable development. It contributes, through research, policy advice and training, to finding answers to global questions affecting our future.

IDOS Research Department “Transformation of political (dis-)order” is looking for a

Senior Researcher (m/f/diverse) - Position No. 2025-D-01

Full time 100%, 39 hours/week

German public sector tariff, EG14 TVöD Bund according to qualifications

Salary range between € 63,000 p.a. up to € 89,000 p.a.

The permanent position, located in Bonn, Germany, shall be filled by 1 September 2025.

The selected Senior Researcher will work on how to prevent the outbreak and recurrence of violent conflict and state fragility at the intersection of development, security and foreign policy. In particular, we seek a scholar with expertise in international cooperation during and after violent conflict, including different forms of cooperation ranging from crisis prevention to state- and peacebuilding and democracy promotion. A track record of excellent empirical research and experience in leading research teams and raising external funding are key criteria. Advising national and international policy makers on the implications of research findings and building and consolidating networks are essential parts of the position. The researcher will also teach in the IDOS academies. Being a good team player is essential.

If you have obtained a foreign university degree, please attach the database excerpt from Anabin to your application documents as proof of recognition of the degree by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

Qualifications and requirements:

• A PhD, ideally in political science or in other related social sciences;
• An outstanding academic record with international peer-reviewed publications on topics relevant for the position;
• An excellent command of quantitative and/or qualitative methods; demonstrated experience with mixed-method designs is an asset;
• Substantial knowledge and experience in one or more of the following issue areas: peace and conflict research, in particular crisis prevention; state fragility; social cohesion; reconstruction and peaebuilding in post-conflict settings, including state-, peace-, and democracy-building; development-security nexus.
• Research and field experience in non-OECD contexts and/or conflict-affected countries;
• Proven skills and experience in policy advice, preferably in the context of international cooperation;
• Experience and willingness to prepare third-party funding proposals;
• Ability to build and maintain networks at the science-policy interface;
• Media experience and willingness to contribute to public debates;
• Experience in teaching at university level;
• Excellent English skills (spoken and written) and good knowledge of German; good knowledge in another major international language is an asset;
• Eagerness to work in an interdisciplinary team;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Willingness and aptness to travel abroad, including countries with a tropical climate („Tropentauglichkeit“).

We offer:

• Flexible working hours with a weekly working time of 100%, 39 hours/week;
• Possibility of mobile working (“Homeoffice” within Germany up to 60% per week);
• Possibility to use a subsidized Deutschland-Job-Ticket and a good access to public transportation;
• Special annual payment in accordance with TVöD Bund “Collective agreement of the federal government”;
• Up to 30 days annual vacation plus 6 days company vacation;
• Trainings for further professional development;
• Employer`s contribution to the company pension scheme at VBLU;
• Many more social and monetary benefits.

We actively promote equality between women and men as well as the diversity of all people in our institute. Therefore, we welcome applications from people of colour, people of all nationalities, religions and beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities, all age groups and people with disabilities. We are also looking forward to receiving applications from people with a family migration history.

IDOS is certified by the audit workandfamily – Compatibility of work and family.

For further questions, please contact PD Dr. Julia Leininger (Julia.leininger@idos-research.de).

Applications with the position number 2025-D-01 with detailed documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, relevant certificates) must be submitted exclusively via application portal by 23 April 2025 at 23:59 CET.

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German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS)
Tulpenfeld 6, 53113 Bonn
Telefon +49 (0)228 94927-0, Telefax +49 (0)228 94927-130
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