Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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, and links this knowledge to questions of global significance. It combines region-specific analysis with innovative comparative research on accountability and participation, peace and security, globalisation and development, and global orders and foreign policies. The GIGA seeks to appoint a 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow (M/F/D)

at the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies 

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. 

The successful candidate will work on Latin America’s political, social and/or development issues and/or regional cooperation. Themes of interest would be, among others, security and violence, climate change and environmental issues, and development and inequality. The candidate’s work should be situated within the GIGA’s overall research agenda, contributing both to theoretical and empirical knowledge creation, and be linked to one of the GIGA’s four Research Programmes. Candidates are asked to briefly describe the research agenda they plan to pursue at the GIGA in their application. 

The successful candidate is expected to actively engage with the GIGA’s research structures and to participate in the knowledge-exchange activities and academic services of the GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies.   

Mandatory qualifications:

• Excellent PhD in Political Science, the Social Sciences, or related disciplines (Doctoral thesis must already have been submitted as of the moment of application.)
• Strong theoretical and comparative methodological skills (qualitative and/or quantitative)
• Research experience, including fieldwork, in Latin America
• Strong command of the English and Spanish or Portuguese languages; German is an asset but not a prerequisite
• Outstanding academic publications, preferably in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals and/or with renowned publishing houses 

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in research-grant acquisition, preferably with competitive funding bodies
• Regional expertise on Mexico and/or the Andean countries would be particularly welcome  

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 GIGA application, by clicking the 'Apply' button as part of your full application (Ref.-No. GIGA-24-07), including relevant supporting documentation: (1) short cover letter (max. 1 page); (2) CV (max. 3 pages); (3) list of publications (max. 2 pages); (4) references: 3 references with email and phone number; (5) other credentials/diplomas/certificates (max. 6 pages). Items (1) to (5) should be compiled into one PDF, which cannot be of more than 15 pages in length. Please also provide two work samples as separate PDFs. 

German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA),

Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

Email: jobs-24-07@giga-hamburg.de (email applications are particularly welcome). 

Screening of applications will begin on 6 May 2024. 

For further information, please visit the GIGA homepage (www.giga-hamburg.de) or contact Birgit Uthmann (email: birgit.uthmann@giga-hamburg.de, phone: +49 (0)40 – 428 25 561).