Research Assistant, Climate Change and Risk Programme

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is seeking a talented Research Assistant for the Climate Change and Risk (CCR) Programme who will support high-quality research on climate change, violent conflict and peacebuilding. The Research Assistant should have a demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to climate-related security risks including the linkages between climate change and violent conflicts.

 

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.

 

In 2016, SIPRI established the CCR Programme within the Peace and Development area of study. The CCR Programme pursues research on identifying and assessing climate-related security risks and policy actors’ responses to those risks. The overarching goal of the programme is to identify and understand sources of insecurity linked to a changing climate, prevent and resolve conflicts, and contribute to sustaining peace. Recent work in the CCR Programme includes producing climate-related security risk assessments for different regions, exploring pathways linking climate change to violent conflict and analysing how different kinds of intergovernmental organizations are developing their responses to manage climate-related security risks. For more information about the CCR Programme, visit its website.

 

The position

The primary responsibility of the Research Assistant is to contribute to high-quality research primarily with a focus on the linkages between climate change, violent conflict and peacebuilding. The Research Assistant is expected to support the CCR team’s work by collecting and analysing secondary sources, as well as assisting the team’s work on climate-related security risk assessments and peacebuilding. The Research Assistant is also expected to take part in the collective life of the Institute and contribute to a pleasant and intellectually stimulating work environment.  

 

Tasks and responsibilities

The Research Assistant is responsible for:


• Contributing to high-quality research;
• Contributing to disseminating research findings through research reports, social media and existing networks;
• Providing occasional administrative support to the CCR team;
• Contributing to research proposals prepared within SIPRI’s Peace and Development research area;
• Collaborating on issues related to SIPRI’s Peace and Development research area with other staff; and
• Contributing to a pleasant and intellectually stimulating working environment at SIPRI.

 

Requirements

The candidate should at a minimum meet the following requirements:


• A minimum of a university degree—preferably at the Master’s level—in peace and conflict studies, political science, international relations, geography or a related field;
• Good knowledge of climate security challenges including linkages between climate change and violent conflicts; and
• Ease of working in oral and written English, with further language proficiency in French and/or Spanish considered a useful advantage.

The following qualifications are of advantage:


• Good knowledge of the United Nations and multilateral peacebuilding architecture as well as the UN Environment Program;
• Good knowledge of qualitative research methodologies; and
• Experience in academic publishing.

 

Contract period

Starting 1 August 2020, the contract period will initially last for two years, with the option for an extension. 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
• Two writing samples (in English and at least one single-authored sample).

 

Please note:

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 22 April 2020. Interviews are expected to be held virtually in May.

 

For enquiries regarding the position, please contact: Dr Malin Mobjörk, Director Climate Change and Risk Programme, SIPRI, malin.mobjork@sipri.org.

 

SIPRI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

 

The trade union contact persons at SIPRI are Frank Esparraga for ST (frank.esparraga@sipri.org) and Jiayi Zhou for Saco-S (zhou@sipri.org)