Wissenschaftler:in (d/m/w) für das Forschungsprojekt „Mittlere Mächte“ in Asien / Lateinamerika mit Länderschwerpunkten Vietnam und die Philippinen oder Pakistan und Bangladesch

About the role

The Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) is seeking a Researcher for the research project "Middle Powers" in Asia/Latin America, with country focuses on Vietnam and the Philippines or Pakistan and Bangladesh. The position is 100% FTE, fixed-term until 30 April 2029, with a start date of 1 November 2026 (subject to funding provider approval). Part-time employment is possible. The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

Project background

The "Middle Powers" project comprises three intra-regional comparisons of middle powers in South Asia (Pakistan and Bangladesh), Southeast Asia (Vietnam and the Philippines), and Latin America (Colombia and Mexico). In all sub-projects, conditions and potential for exchange and cooperation between these six middle powers and Germany are examined and comparatively analyzed using two sub-regional country studies each. The goal is to develop policy recommendations for shaping bilateral relations with special consideration of development cooperation instruments as well as cooperation at mini- and multilateral levels. The project addresses the discrepancy between the growing importance of "middle powers" and their role in a changing international order on the one hand, and the limited knowledge about cooperation potential and willingness of rising powers as partners on the other.

The project includes three positions for researchers (one each for South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America). One of the positions for Asia is combined with project leadership (see separate job posting). Please select one of the country focuses for your application (Vietnam/Philippines or Bangladesh/Pakistan).

Responsibilities

• Independent research on the research questions outlined above, including through guided interviews during a multi-week research stay in Vietnam and the Philippines or Bangladesh and Pakistan
• Dissemination of project results through policy-relevant publications and academic papers in accordance with the project description
• Scientific advisory services to political decision-makers
• Maintenance of contacts with relevant government agencies, national and international research institutions, and regional organizations
• Conceptualization and implementation of relevant conferences and workshops in Berlin and abroad

Qualifications

• Completed university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Regional and Social Sciences with a focus on International Relations, Foreign and Security Policy; a PhD is desirable
• Demonstrated research on South Asia or Southeast Asia and experience in comparative regional research
• Very good knowledge of the foreign and security policy challenges of Vietnam and the Philippines or Bangladesh and Pakistan, evidenced by relevant publications
• Very good knowledge of bilateral relations between Germany and the countries under investigation
• Very good knowledge of EU relations with Vietnam, the Philippines, or Pakistan and Bangladesh
• Knowledge of development policy discourses and the functioning of German and European development cooperation is an advantage
• Experience in conducting third-party funded projects is desirable
• Initiative and responsible action, outstanding organizational and communication skills, strong teamwork abilities, and experience in interdisciplinary and cross-thematic collaboration
• Excellent German and English skills, written and spoken; regional language skills are an advantage
• Initial experience in scientific policy advisory work is desirable

Benefits

• Interesting and varied work in a research-oriented environment in a central location in Berlin-Wilmersdorf
• Remuneration with all public service benefits according to the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD Bund), up to pay grade 14 depending on qualifications and task assignment. Level classification is based on your professional experience and career history
• Additional old-age pension through the Pension Institution of the Federal Government and the Federal States (VBL)
• Mobile working with up to 40% of monthly working hours
• 30 vacation days per year, plus time off between Christmas and New Year (already factored in)
• Good public transport connections
• Company parking and bicycle parking with bicycle repair station
• Company canteen
• Subsidy for the Deutschlandticket Job
• Flexible working hours, compatibility of family and career