Researcher: Conflict escalation and diplomatic signalling in the Middle East

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) is an interdisciplinary research institute that coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW). The Strategic Research Area includes more than forty scholars from five different faculties at Lund University.

About the position

The position is linked to the ongoing research program within the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World”, which is coordinated by Professor Karin Aggestam- and Professor Ronny Berndtsson, Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). The position as a researcher focuses on conflict escalation and signalling in the Middle East since 2023.

During 2023 and 2024, a series of missile and drone attacks, and targeted assassinations, by Iran and Israel against each other foreshadowed the possibility of all-out regional conflict in the Middle East. The researcher is expected to conduct an empirical examination of the performative signalling of conflict escalation and de-escalation as well as of the digital signalling taking place across official governments platforms, social media posts, and social images. As part of that objective, the researcher is expected to develop an innovative mixed method design to be used for the analysis. In addition, the researcher is expected to assist with the expansion of the data infrastructure and societal outreach at CMES.  

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Political Science
• Relevant research skills and academic merits
• Excellent command of spoken and written English
• The ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the MECW-research program are significant considerations.

Specifically, we are looking for candidates with a research profile that includes an academic track record in the study of digital diplomacy, international recognition, Iran, or Israel, as well as experiences from qualitative discourse analysis, and quantitative or visual content analysis. 

Terms of employment

The position is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 1 year. The starting date is at the earliest in December 2024 or as per agreement.

Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: Work at Lund University.

Application

Apply for the position through Lund University's recruitment system Varbi. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following documents with your application:

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma 

Welcome to apply!