Postdoctoral researcher in geopolitics and maritime security

The Danish Institute for International Studies ([xxxxx]) is recruiting a 3-year postdoctoral researcher for the research project[xxxxx]-Maritime, an interdisciplinary research network on maritime security. The position is set to start June 1, 2026, or shortly thereafter.

[xxxxx] Maritime investigates how geopolitics and hybrid threats at sea impact the operational conditions for international shipping and the maritime sector. Its research spans the waters around the Danish Kingdom, Denmark's immediate area and global trade corridors of interest to especially the Danish maritime industries.

The postdoctoral researcher will join a subproject exploring how industrial policy, supply chain dependencies, and new and emerging technologies shape commercial shipping and the naval defense industry. Its starting point is examining how the EU, US, Japan, and South Korea are responding to China’s strong position in the global shipping industry and maritime security space. The postdoc will work alongside Senior Researcher Luke Patey and the wider [xxxxx] Maritime team. The team will be based in Copenhagen, but researchers are expected to conduct fieldwork and attend conferences and seminars abroad, fully funded by the project.

About the position
As a [xxxxx] employee, you will be part of an inspiring and vibrant knowledge environment at an institution committed to excellence in multidisciplinary research, high-level policy analysis, and dissemination of international studies. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a cornerstone of [xxxxx]’s research culture, valuing diverse theoretical and empirical perspectives. Therefore, it is essential that you are open to engaging with colleagues from various disciplinary backgrounds and contributing to a collaborative knowledge environment. You should also be ready to undertake policy studies of relevance for [xxxxx]’ stakeholders.

Research at [xxxxx] is structured into five research units, each with a specialized research focus. The postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with the Foreign Policy and Diplomacy unit.

As a postdoctoral researcher at [xxxxx], you will be expected to actively contribute to the thematic and theoretical advancement of research, both within your unit and across the institute. With no teaching obligations, you will have ample time to focus on your research. In return, you are expected to produce high-quality international publications and engage actively in [xxxxx]’s research environment. The role also involves knowledge dissemination beyond academia, in terms of policy studies and engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure the broader societal impact of your findings.

Qualifications
Applicants must have obtained a PhD in a relevant field before the start date of the position. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

Academic Background: A strong research profile in international relations, international political economy, business studies, security studies or related field, preferably with a focus on the broader European context or East Asia.

Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in an East Asian language is considered an advantage.

Policy-Research Publication and Dissemination Record: A demonstrated ability to produce high-quality policy research, sharp data analysis and qualitative research skills, experience engaging industry and policy communities in Europe and East Asia, and a strong track record of research dissemination.

Fundraising: Engagement in grant applications and external fundraising via policy studies and commissioned work.

Personal Attributes: The ideal candidate shall be proactive, independent, possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, and be eager to engage in a collaborative research environment.

[xxxxx] as a workplace
We offer an attractive and inclusive workplace where all employees can develop their professional and personal skills. For us, knowledge sharing, dialogue and feedback are essential to create a dynamic workplace. You are therefore expected to proactively participate in the Institute’s joint efforts. We prioritize a high degree of presence, but to support a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible working hours and the option to work remotely two days a week. Our offices are conveniently located near the Østerport station, approximately 2 km from the inner city of Copenhagen.

[xxxxx] is a diverse workplace, and we therefore encourage all qualified applicants to apply for the position regardless of their personal background. We are aware of the environmental consequences of our activities, and we are constantly seeking to become a more sustainable workplace, both daily and in relation to how we carry out our travel activities.

Salary and terms of employment
This is a full-time (37 hours per week) postdoctoral position with a fixed term of 36 months. The expected starting date is June 1, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

You will be employed according to the applicable collective agreement for academic employees in Denmark. The starting yearly salary as a postdoctoral researcher is DKK 412.519 to 489.379 incl. functional allowance and excl. pension (18,07%). In addition, there is an opportunity to negotiate a personal qualification supplement depending on your experience and skills.

Non-residents of Denmark may be eligible to apply for taxation under the special researcher scheme, which offers a gross tax rate of 32.84% for up to seven years. For further details, please refer to the Danish Tax Authorities.

The application
The application deadline is February 27, 2026, at 12.00 CET.

Please note that we only accept applications sent via [xxxxx]’s electronic recruitment system at the bottom of the job advertisement.

Your application must contain all the following documents:

• A short motivation letter and research proposal for the larger project (max. 3000 characters)
• Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages; max. 6000 characters including spaces) and a complete publication list.
• Master’s and PhD diplomas, including transcripts. If university transcripts are in language other than English or a Scandinavian language, the explanation of the grading system should be attached.
• A maximum of 3 relevant research publications that you want included in the assessment. If any of the publications included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement.

Applications go through a shortlisting process before being sent to an employment committee for in-person or virtual interviews. The assessment process may take up to several weeks depending on the number of applications.

Do you want to know more?
If you want to know more about [xxxxx] as a workplace read more here. Questions about salary and employment conditions as well as the application process itself can be addressed to HR at hr@[xxxxx].dk .

Foto: Illustration © GreenOak/Shutterstock copyright-licens

[xxxxx] is an independent public research institution for international studies. We conduct and communicate multidisciplinary research on globalisation, security, development and foreign policy and within these areas we aim to be agenda-setting in research, policy and public debate.

[xxxxx] participates in academic networks and publish in high-ranking academic journals, always striving to excel in academic scholarship.

We continuously assess Denmark's foreign and political situation and inform the Danish media, politicians and the public about our work

Kilde: [xxxxx]