Research Assistance, Arms and Military Expenditure programme

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is seeking Research Assistance to support the work of the Arms and Military Expenditure (AMEX) Programme.

 

Context

SIPRI is an independent international institute whose core mission is to undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI provides excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development. SIPRI is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all over the world.

 

SIPRI’s research on arms and military spending has been the core of the institute’s work since its foundation in the 1960s. This work is largely based around three comprehensive and open-access databases: the Arms transfers database, the Arms industry database and the Military expenditure database. These exemplify SIPRI's core values of transparency by using only open sources that can be independently checked, and universality by including data on nearly every country in the world. AMEX also provides documents on all arms embargoes since the 1950s and national reports on arms export controls. More information on the work and scope of the programme is available here.

 

Main tasks

The Research Assistant will be responsible for helping with data collection work, archiving sources, as well as supporting the implementation of externally funded projects, including:


• Assisting with finding, assessing and entering/adjusting data on arms transfers, military expenditure, arms industry and arms embargoes for the relevant databases;
• Assisting with updating the programme’s electronic research archive;
• Identifying new potential sources and validating them with the AMEX team;
• Supporting AMEX data launches;
• Supporting other AMEX activities (meetings, seminars and workshops).

 

Requirements

The successful candidate must have:


• A Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. international affairs, political science, strategic studies or military affairs); or a bachelors’ degree and relevant specialised experience in relevant sectors (e.g. specialised media outlets, military, industry);
• Numerical proficiency;
• Experience of open-source information research;
• Good knowledge of Excel or equivalent software;
• A good eye for detail;
• An ability to work independently, organize, and manage time effectively; and
• Fluency in English both written and spoken (additional languages will be seen as an advantage; a knowledge of Swedish is not required).

Some knowledge of military equipment and/or some knowledge of the defence and peace economics literature is an advantage.

 

Contract period

Starting 1 July 2020 or as soon as possible thereafter, the contract period will initially last for 13 months, with the option for an extension depending on their profile and available funding. The post is full-time. The post requires that the candidate becomes a resident in Stockholm, Sweden by the time of employment. The salary package will be negotiated individually.

Despite the situation in light of COVID-19, this recruitment is intended to be carried out as planned. At the same time, it is acknowledged that the situation can change and based on how it develops, we will assess how to proceed with the recruitment process in practice.

 

How to apply:

Having reviewed the advertisement, candidates should submit:


• A letter of intent specifying why you are applying for this position (1 page);
• A curriculum vitae including degrees, work experience, publications, language skills and contact details for two referees;
• Copies of diplomas for university degree(s); and
• One writing sample (in English).

 

In order to be considered in the recruitment process, the application must be made via the form in the vacancies section of SIPRI’s website and not through any other external job sites. 

Please observe that you must apply via our electronic application system. Please access the form via the ‘apply’ button at the end of this page.

 

The closing date for applications is 1 June 2020. Interviews are expected to be held virtually in June.

 

For further information or confidential enquiries, please contact Lucie Béraud-Sudreau (lucie.beraud-sudreau@sipri.org) or Helena Berger, Human Resource Manager (berger@sipri.org).

 

The trade union contact persons at SIPRI are Pieter Wezeman for ST (pwezeman@sipri.org) and Jiayi Zhou for Saco-S (zhou@sipri.org).