Postdoctoral Research Associate x 3 (Fixed Term)

The Centre for Geopolitics (CfG), part of the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge, invites applications for three Postdoctoral Research Associates to pursue historically minded work on statecraft and strategy. The post forms part of the Ax:son Johnson Institute for Statecraft and Diplomacy (AJI), established by the Axel and Margaret Ax:son Johnson Foundation for Public Benefit (AJF). These roles will be fixed term for two years. 

The successful candidates will be responsible for conducting independent research on any area of geopolitics, past and present. Preference may be given to candidates whose research focuses on the Indo-Pacific, or the history and strategy of the United Kingdom. 

Research Associates will conduct their own independent research projects under the general supervision of Professors Brendan Simms and William Hurst. The successful candidates will support the CfG's broader objectives through planning and facilitating events, generating publications and contributing to public engagement activities. They will be encouraged to develop as independent researchers and will be actively supported in doing so. 

The postholders will report directly to the Directors, Professors Brendan Simms and William Hurst. The post holders will also be expected to participate actively in collaborations with the other institutions that form part of the AJI initiative, including the Centre for Statecraft and National Security at King's College London, the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication at the Stockholm School of Economics, and the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins SAIS, and to attend the regular AJI meetings online and in-person. 

Further details of the post are available by downloading the further particulars document from the link below.

In order for your application to be considered, please upload the following: 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Covering letter
• Summary of your PhD (maximum 1,000 words)
• Proposal for independent research (maximum 2,000 words) for the 24 months of the appointment
• The names and contact details of two referees who are familiar with your work

If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact hr@crassh.cam.ac.uk. For queries related to the application process, please contact the School's HR Team at sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Sunday 14 June 2026. Interviews are planning for Tuesday 30 June 2026, subject to change.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.  

Please quote reference VM49732 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information