Postdoctoral Researcher - EG13 TV-AVH (m/f/d) in Peace and Security Research with a focus on Participatory Methods and Knowledge Co-Creation

The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg has been investigating the conditions for peace and security – on a global, regional and local scale – since 1971. The IFSH aims to contribute actively to peace by conducting outstanding and innovative research. Transferring knowledge from research to politics and society is a fundamental part of the institute's work.

We currently employ around 70 colleagues in research, transfer, teaching and administration at our locations in Hamburg and Berlin. Thanks to funding from the City of Hamburg, we are expanding our science and service teams significantly as part of a growth strategy for the coming years. The IFSH is an international and diverse institution. We combine a culture of openness, agility and short communication channels with the reputation of an established and well-connected research institution.

For its horizontal research programme, IFSH is seeking a dedicated postdoctoral researcher (m/f/d) with a strong interest in participatory and co-creative methods. The horizontal research programme of IFSH focuses on overarching themes and research perspectives of relevance across the IFSH’s research areas. The successful candidate will develop innovative methods of co-creative and collaborative knowledge production and apply them in research and knowledge transfer to explore the opportunities and risks of these methods for peace and security studies. To this end, the person will conduct independent research on topics such as everyday security practices, local peace, social cohesion, or citizen participation in foreign and security policy. Their research is intended to critically examine the possibilities for transformative change in the areas of peace, security, and conflict. In addition, the person will play a central role in expanding IFSH’s participatory research profile: by promoting collaboration with relevant stakeholders, especially in the Hamburg metropolitan region, by providing in-house expertise on the corresponding methods, and by critically reflecting on the role of peace research as a public science.

The position will focus thematically on one or more of the following areas of work or related fields:

• You will explore and develop participatory research methods in peace, conflict, and security research.
• You will conduct research projects with a focus on participatory settings, such as citizen science projects, science cafés, maker spaces, photovoice, (digital) storytelling, real-world laboratories, and similar approaches.
• You will apply for third-party funding for participatory research and knowledge transfer projects with collaborators from politics and society, particularly in the Hamburg metropolitan area.
• You will expand IFSH’s methodological portfolio in participatory and co-creative research approaches, providing in-house expertise on these methods.
• You will present your research findings at academic conferences and publish them in peer-reviewed journals as well as in relevant practice-oriented formats.

In addition, the position primarily involves the following tasks: planning and conducting empirical research projects in participatory or transdisciplinary settings (e.g., citizen science formats, science cafés, maker spaces, photovoice projects, real-world laboratories, or comparable approaches).

• Conducting research activities with a focus on participatory settings, such as citizen science projects, science cafés, maker spaces, photovoice, (digital) storytelling, real-world laboratories, and similar approaches.
• Acquisition of third-party funding for participatory research and knowledge transfer projects – preferably in collaboration with practice partners from politics and society, particularly within the Hamburg metropolitan region – as well as supporting ongoing third-party funded initiatives.
• Advancement of the institute-wide methodological portfolio in participatory and co-creative research, providing relevant in-house expertise.
• Scholarly and practice-oriented publication of own research findings in international peer-reviewed journals as well as in transfer-focused formats.
• Dissemination of research findings to the public, including contributions to policy, society, and media, as well as active participation in relevant conferences, workshops, and professional forums.
• Establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships with stakeholders in politics, civil society, and urban communities.
• Participation in teaching within the Institute’s Master’s program “Peace and Security Studies (M.A.).”

• Completed doctorate or close to completion in Peace and Conflict Studies, Security Studies, Political Science, Sociology, International Relations, Geography, Sustainability Science, Urban Studies, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated interest in participatory and co-creative research approaches.
• First academic publications including peer-reviewed publications (e.g., articles, working papers, book chapters).
• Experience in securing third-party funding, ideally with a transfer or practice-oriented component.
• Experience collaborating with practice partners from politics, civil society, or public institutions.
• First experiences with public appearances or transfer formats are an advantage.
• Willingness to contribute to institute-wide cross-cutting themes and to provide methodological expertise.
• Excellent written and spoken German and English skills.
• Strong teamwork, communication skills, initiative, and a collaborative and inclusive working approach.