PRIO is looking for a Research Assistant to fill out a full-time position on the projects “Developmental Peace? Perceptions of China’s Engagement in Pakistan and Afghanistan (AsiaPeace) and 'Shaping the Digital World Order: Norms and Agency along the Digital Silk Road in Southeast Asia' (NORM). The position starts as soon as possible and ends in January 2025.
Both projects are led by Senior Researcher Ilaria Carrozza and have China as a primary focus of interest. The projects explore different aspects of China’s attempts to project influence abroad and challenge the existing world order. These include, for instance, the security-development nexus in China’s peace mediation practices and the export of Chinese technologies to developing countries. The projects involve two international and multi-disciplinary teams of researchers based in Norway, as well as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Work description The successful candidate will be based at PRIO office headquarters in Oslo (Norway), in the Global Politics, Norms and Society Department, as part of a team of researchers and work closely with the project leader, Ilaria Carrozza, Senior Researchers Kaja Borchgrevink and Nicholas Marsh and Research Professor Gregory Reichberg. The research assistant is expected to contribute actively to the different stages of both projects' research processes and carry out the administrative tasks listed below.
Main tasks
- Assist the project leader with regular follow-ups of project activities and communication with the project members;
- Assist the project leader with the financial management and reporting of projects;
- Collect sources, literature review & manage project databases;
- Contribute to the projects' conceptual and methodological framework;
- Assist the project leader with data management plan updates and data protection measures;
- Assist the project leader in the preparation and execution of field research;
- Organize project meetings (online and offline), events and workshops;
- Participate in meetings and activities related to the projects; act as a notetaker during those activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or master's degree in International Relations or Political Science (or other equivalent)
- Competence in using Microsoft Word and Excel, and other standard Office software packages.
- Independent administrative and analytical skills.
- Fluency in spoken English and excellent writing skills in English.
- Fluency in spoken and written Chinese.
- Great emphasis will be placed on good collaborative ability and accuracy.
Desirable skills include
- Knowledge of China's foreign policy, international order, and norms.
- Knowledge of the intersection between technology, security, and politics.
- Experience coding textual data and searching Chinese online databases such as CNKI.
- Experience with programming and/or machine learning methods;
Applications must be written in English and include
- A 1 to 2-page cover letter detailing motivation, competence, and experience, addressing the expected qualifications listed above;
- A curriculum vitae;
- An academic writing sample (e.g., undergraduate or M.A. thesis, conference paper, etc.)
- Transcripts of academic degrees;
- Names and contact details of three references.
PRIO has an international research staff of approximately 100 people in full and part-time positions, in addition to administrative and support staff. The institute's working language is English. PRIO is an equal opportunity employer and values staff diversity.
The institute is situated in an attractive location in central Oslo, Europe’s fastest-growing capital city. Employee benefits include access to the PRIO cabin in the mountains, a subsidized canteen, weekly physiotherapy exercise, weekly running group, discount gym membership, and various social events.
PRIO offers competitive salaries and in accordance with the prospective employee’s qualifications. Additionally, PRIO offers group life insurance and membership to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
The candidate should be interested in PRIO’s broader mission of conducting high-quality academic research on questions relevant to promoting a more peaceful world.
Interviews are expected to take place in April 2024. The position will start as soon as possible and end in January 2025.
Applications must be submitted using the online form.
For further information about the position, please contact Senior Researcher Ilaria Carrozza (ilacar@prio.org). For further information about the recruitment process or the submission of your application, please contact Catarina Barbieri (catbar@prio.org), tel. +47 22 54 77 00.
