The German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) / Leibniz-Institut für Globale und 
Regionale Studien is an independent social science research institute based in Hamburg. It analyses political, social and economic developments in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, and links this knowledge to questions of global significance. It combines region-specific analysis with innovative comparative research on accountability and participation, peace and security, globalisation and development, and global orders and foreign policies. The GIGA seeks to appoint a 

MECAM Publication Manager / Postdoctoral Research Fellow (m/f/d) 

Applications are invited for an 80% position, with a contract until 28 February 2029, starting  1 October 2026. The salary is commensurate with EG 13 TV-AVH / TVöD.

The successful candidate will work in the project MECAM – Merian Centre for Advanced Studies in the Maghreb: https://mecam.tn/?lang=en, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). MECAM is a centre for interdisciplinary research and academic exchange based in Tunis operating under its guiding theme “Imagining Futures – Dealing with Disparity”. It is a joint initiative of six German and Tunisian universities and research institutions, the GIGA being one of the six core partners.

The successful candidate’s tasks will include:

• Editor and coordinator of the MECAM Papers, MECAM’s main publication series: https://mecam.tn/mecam-papers-2/?lang=en. The MECAM Papers offer concise and well-founded analyses of the contemporary Maghreb; they are published open access and always in Arabic, English and French. 
• Managing editor and coordinator of the MECAM book series Perspectives on the Maghreb, published with Routledge: https://mecam.tn/mecam-book-series/?lang=en.  The book series publishes manuscripts on the Maghreb, based on cutting-edge methodological approaches from the humanities and the social sciences; 
• Planning and organisation of the MECAM Publication Workshop in Tunis in spring 2028
• Planning and organisation of online courses on various publication formats. 

Mandatory qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in political science, sociology, economics, or other social science;
• Fluency in English and French;
• Very good knowledge of political, social and economic developments in the Maghreb; awareness of theoretical and methodological scholarly debates; 
• Experience with different publications formats and in editing and proofreading;  
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Desired qualifications:

• At least basic reading and speaking proficiency in German; 
• At least basic reading and speaking proficiency in Standard Arabic and/or one Maghrebi dialect;
• Experience of living and working in the Maghreb.

At the GIGA, the MECAM project is embedded in the Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) and the Research Programme 1 “Accountability and Participation”. There are some BMFTR funds available for the successful candidate to travel to work-related MECAM meetings.  

Other part-time options will be considered, if so desired by the successful candidate. Diversity and the reconciliation of work and family life are of great importance to the institute. The GIGA promotes the equality of all genders. Additionally, we actively encourage applications from persons with disabilities.

Please fill out the GIGA application form (https://www.giga-hamburg.de/en/career/mecam-publication-manager-postdoctoral-research-fellow-m-f-d) and send it with your full application (Ref.-No. GIGA-26-07) including relevant supporting documentation (cover letter, CV, credentials/diplomas/certificates, two letters of recommendation, list of publications, max. two work samples) as one document (except for the completed GIGA application form) to:

German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), 

Neuer Jungfernstieg 21, 20354 Hamburg, Germany 
Email: jobs-26-07@giga-hamburg.de (email applications are particularly welcome).

Screening of applications will begin on 5 July 2026. 

For further information, please visit the GIGA homepage (www.giga-hamburg.de) or contact Dr. André Bank (email: andre.bank@giga-hamburg.de, phone: +49 (0)40/428 25 584).