Doctoral researcher (m/f/d) for the Research Department III “Transnational Politics”

The Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) analyses the causes of international and intra­state conflicts. As one of the leading peace research institutes in Europe, we combine inter­disciplinary basic research with science transfer to the public, the media and policy­makers. Since 2009, the PRIF has been a member of the Leibniz Association, a national umbrella organization of outstanding non-university research institutes in Germany. PRIF is headquartered in Frankfurt and has a branch office in Berlin. More than 100 employees from research, administration and science communication contribute to PRIF's success.

Our Research Department III “Transnational Politics” is looking for a new colleague to join its team as soon as possible:

One doctoral researcher (m/f/d)

in part-time (65 %), in Salary Group 13 TV-H*, for the duration of 3 years (acc. to. WissZeitVG**).

Your responsibilities include:

• Imple­mentation of a PhD project on transnational, non-state armed groups. The project can focus on the emergence, organization, impact, and/or change of those actors, among others.
• Presentation of research findings in peer-reviewed academic outlets, during conferences, and in policy-oriented settings.
• Support of the Research Department in producing relevant documentation, organizing events, and conducting outreach activities.
• Active partici­pation in the Research Group “Radicalization, Terrorism, and Extremism Prevention.” Partici­pation in other research groups at PRIF is encouraged, but not mandatory.
• Participation in PRIF’s bodies of self-administration. Central committees communicate in English.

As applicant, you should fulfill the following requirements:

• A good or better academic degree (2,5 or better acc. to the German grading system) that grants eligibility for the pursuit of a doctorate, in political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, human geography or another relevant discipline.
• Scientific interest in the fields of non-state armed actors, armed conflicts, terrorism, political violence, and trans­national threats to peace and conflict.
• Strong method skills, including in comparative research or statistical methods.
• Willing­ness to work in an interdisciplinary and inter­national team of researchers.
• Willing­ness to present research to the political and general public.
• International academic experience (including studies abroad) is a plus.
• Very good spoken and written command of English.

You can expect:

• A motivated, multi-cultural team of international researchers.
• Multi-faceted research work that includes fundamental scientific research, science communication, and political consultancy.
• Flexible hours that allow for the balance of work time and family life with the possibility to work remotely according to an internal guideline.
• A discounted Deutschland­ticket.***
• A company pension scheme provided by the VBL.****

PRIF is a recipient of the Total E-Quality award and seeks to promote equal representation in the workforce at all levels and aims to strengthen work/life balance. In the case of equal qualification, applicants with severe disabilities will be treated preferentially.

Please send your application documents (cover letter (1-2 pages), complete CV (without a photo), outline of your PhD research proposal (max. 3 pages excl. references), education and work certificates) as a single PDF to application(at)prif.org with a subject line that consists of your name and the code “PB3_25.1” (e.g. “Mustermann, Max-PB3_25.1”). The application deadline is 12 December 2025. Unfortunately, application expenses cannot be reimbursed.

Questions regarding this application can be directed to Prof Dr Tobias Ide (tobias.ide(at)prif.org).

* TV-H = Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst des Landes Hessen: Current Tariff Agreement for the German State of Hesse.

** WissZeitVG = Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz: Act on Fixed-Term Employment Contracts in Academia.

*** Deutschlandticket = A ticket that allows for the use of local public transport, such as busses and trains.

**** VBL = Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder: Pension Institution of the Federal and State Government