DIIS is recruiting a 24-Month Postdoc position on security and defense in the Ar

The Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) is recruiting a 24-months postdoctoral researcher position to contribute to strengthening its research in security and defense policy in the Arctic and the North Atlantic of relevance for Greenland and Denmark. The position is set to start November 1, 2026, or shortly thereafter.

Within one or the other of two broad themes, the postdoctoral researcher will be free to define their own research, choosing to contribute to either:

A) Civil/military relations in the Arctic. The research should involve in-depth analysis on a central aspect of military presence in Greenland - permanent, intermittent, emerging or projected. The research may have a historical or comparative element or involve 'lessons learned' from other Arctic/indigenous peoples but should contribute research on and relevant for contemporary Greenland and Denmark.

B) Defense policies and security dynamics in the Arctic. The research should involve in-depth analysis of how one or more key states or international organizations engage in a central aspect of Arctic defense and security policy. The research should speak to related interstate dynamics, particularly implications for Greenland/Denmark and/or NATO/transatlantic relations.

Conducting in-depth analysis on either civil/military relations or defense policies and security dynamics, the postdoc is expected to contribute to the research milieu at DIIS on Arctic issues and geopolitics, partaking in informally coordinated media outreach, contributing to formal policy products, and giving feedback on publications and other texts. Hence, the postdoc position is based in Copenhagen. However, short to medium length research stays at relevant institutions abroad (particularly in the Arctic) will contribute to strengthening research at DIIS by integrating it more closely in relevant networks. Particularly research on civil/military relations is likely to involve fieldwork; depending on duration and location, the applicant might be supported in applying for supplemental funding.

About the position
As a DIIS employee, you will be part of an inspiring and vibrant knowledge environment at an institution committed to excellence in multidisciplinary international studies research, high-level policy analysis, and dissemination. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a cornerstone of DIIS’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. For this post.doc. position, particularly dialogue with researchers at the Ilisimatusarfik University of Greenland is key.

Research at DIIS is structured into five research units, each with a specialized research focus. The postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with one of them, depending on the theoretical and empirical focus of the research proposed.

As a postdoctoral researcher at DIIS, 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 DIIS’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. For this post.doc. position, particularly dissemination to and dialogue with policy makers and relevant authorities under the Government of Greenland and the Danish Ministry of Defense will be important.

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 and Practical experience: The ideal candidate has a strong research profile combining Arctic studies and Security studies. Alternatively, a strong theoretically driven research profile in Security Studies combined with extensive practical experience with Arctic issues; or a strong Arctic profile including research experience methodologically relevant for the specific research proposed.

Language Proficiency: English is required. Kalaallisut will be an advantage. Importance of more languages depends on the research proposed.

Publication Record:  A demonstrated ability to publish in recognized, peer-reviewed journals or reputable publishing houses.

Methodological Skills: Experience with in-depth studies methodologically relevant for the research proposed should be documented.

Theoretical Expertise: Some prior knowledge of relevant literature framing the research proposed is expected.

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

DIIS 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 close to Østerport station, centrally in the city of Copenhagen.

DIIS 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 24 months. The expected starting date is November 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 salary as a postdoctoral researcher is 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.

Do you want to know more?
If you want to know more about DIIS 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@diis.dk . If you have further questions about the content of the position, you can contact Senior Researcher Ulrik Pram Gad at ulpg@diis.dk .

The application
The application deadline is June 1, 2026, at 12.00. Please note that we only accept applications sent via DIIS’s electronic recruitment system at the bottom of the job advertisement.

Your application must contain all the following documents:

• A short motivation letter (max 1000 words) including reflections on how experiences documented in the CV prepares you for the research proposed.
• Full academic Curriculum Vitae.
• 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 complete list of publications.
• A two-page statement on the research proposed (max. 6000 characters including spaces), arguing the relevance and coherence of methodological, empirical as well as theoretical aspects.
• A maximum of 3 relevant research publications that you want included in the assessment. If any of the publications that you want 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 for external assessment. The assessment process may take up to several months depending on the number of applications.

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

DIIS 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