German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Hamburg

Institution: German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien, in a joint appointment with the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences (University of Hamburg)

Commencement of duties: at the earliest possible date, but no later than 01 April 2027

Application deadline: 26 March 2026

The GIGA is an independent, publicly funded social science research institute and member of the Leibniz Association, focusing on Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, and on cross-regional and global issues. Funded by the City State of Hamburg and the German Federal Foreign Office, the key mandate of the GIGA is to produce excellent research with policy relevance. The GIGA is committed to knowledge exchange with the policy world, civil society, the private sector, media, and the general public, ensuring that its expertise is both accessible and impactful.

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle "Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

Responsibilities

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences is seeking a professor (W3) of Political Science with a focus on the Global South, combined with the Presidency of the GIGA.

The professorship is located within the framework of a joint appointment at the GIGA and is academically integrated into the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.

The GIGA President will provide the scientific leadership of the institute in collaboration with its leadership team and represent it nationally and internationally to different stakeholders within the academic, political, and public spheres. This high-profile position comprises the day-to-day leadership of the GIGA in collegial collaboration with the GIGA team and in line with its institutional vision.

The professorship entails research and teaching in the field of Political Science with a focus on the Global South.

Your responsibilities include:

• delivering lectures, exercises, and seminars, as well as supervising theses in the field of Political Science (B.A. and M.A.). Teaching commitment of two semester hours per week

• participation in the development of the research and teaching profile of the faculty and the university

Your profile

We are looking for an outstanding leader and scholar in the social sciences with a strategic vision and a global profile, with empirical research experience related to the GIGA’s research agenda in Comparative Area Studies and the institute’s mandate on one or more of the GIGA’s focus regions.

Our expectations:

• an excellent record in top peer-reviewed outlets in the social sciences

• a strong record of successful competitive grant funding acquisition and/or demonstrable fundraising

• a demonstrated record of evidence-based policy advice on a global and national scale, and an active record of public outreach to decision-makers, the media, and the general public

• exceptional leadership skills, demonstrated through substantial experience in management, administration and leadership roles within academic institutions. We expect excellent communication and organizational skills and a commitment to collegiality and diversity

Ideally, you will also have:

• solid experience in the use of empirical methods in social sciences and a pluralistic methodological approach

• familiarity with the German academic system and the country’s policy landscape

We appreciate your willingness to acquire German language skills. The University of Hamburg and the GIGA will provide assistance if required.

The GIGA is currently carrying out a governance reform to fully anchor its principles of collegiality, transparency, and participation. This will lead to a revised Charter and updated description of the role of President as well as its terms, term limits, and interaction with the other bodies of the institute. It is planned to introduce a renewable four-year term, with the possibility of a second renewal (max. three terms). After completing the term(s) as President, you will continue to be integrated in the GIGA as a Lead Research Fellow.

Application process

Your application will be accepted by the University of Hamburg. All further information on the application process and contacts can be found here: