International Political Science Association
The Voice of Political Science around the World
Director for the Study of International Relations, Broadly Understood
Director for the Study of International Relations, Broadly Understood
The Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB Berlin Social Science Center) is oneof the leading global research institutions in the field of social sciences. It unites the socialsciences to address society’s biggest challenges. The WZB conducts world-class problem-orientedbasic research in the social sciences and connects research and society by engaging withdecision-makers in the public and private sectors, civil society and the general public. Bybringing together scholars from all over the world with their various methodological anddisciplinary backgrounds - including sociology, political science, economics, and law -, the WZBfosters a vibrant and stimulating research environment that promotes interdisciplinarycollaboration. Research at the WZB is characterized by long-term projects based onmultidisciplinary cooperation and transnational perspectives. The current cross-cutting researchtopics at the WZB are: Climate, Democracy, Digitalization, Education, Gender, Health, InternationalOrders, Migration, and Work. The WZB is a publicly funded non-university research institute anda member of the Leibniz Association.
The WZB seeks to establish a new research department and to fill a permanent full-time positionof
Director (f/m/x) for the study of
international relations, broadly understood.
We aim to appoint a world-class scholar in political science, sociology, or economics who willestablish and lead a team to implement an ambitious research agenda focused on theory-drivenempirical research on transformations of the international order and shifting power relations.Specializations might include conflict and war, international security, contestation andlegitimacy of international institutions and norms, transnational politics, international politicaleconomy, and global governance challenges, such as climate change, migration, trade, ordevelopment.
Applicants should be well-established within the international academic community, have adistinguished record of excellence, as evidenced by outstanding international publications andother scholarly activities, and should have a proven track record in the supervision of doctoraltheses and career development of young researchers. They should be interested incommunicating their research findings to the general public.
The new research department should be able to cooperate with others in the WZB’s environmentof interdisciplinary social science research. Applicants are expected to present their vision for along-term social science research agenda in relation to other research units at the WZB.Ideally, the successful applicant will be appointed to a Joint Professorship (W3) at a Germanuniversity.
We value diversity and welcome all applications – irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic orsocial origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation. The WZB expressly encourageswomen or persons with migration backgrounds to apply. Equally qualified applicants withdisabilities will be given preference. German language skills are not required.
The invitations to job interviews are expected to be sent out in November 2026. Job interviewswill likely take place on 9-10 December 2026. All interviews will take place at the WZB in Berlin,Germany. The position will be filled at the earliest possible date.
If you have any questions regarding the job opening, please contact the president of the WZB,Prof. Dr. h.c. Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, Ph.D. via .
For further details about the WZB, please visit our website at: .
World Congress and IPSA Events
Requests regarding the 2027 IPSA World Congress should be made to
General inquiries about IPSA events can be made to
Director for the Study of International Relations, Broadly Understood in remote at Unknown Company
This position is listed as full time and onsite.