The Intimacies of Remote Warfare is seeking a dynamic and motivated Project Officer to support our team.

IRW is an evidence-based research program dedicated to informing academic, public, and policy debates on the intimate realities of remote wars waged by advanced militaries. Our multidisciplinary team delves into the politics, operations, technologies, and political economy of remote warfare and its impact on civilian harm and blowback. We actively engage with key stakeholders to participate in expert round tables, co-create knowledge, and formulate policy recommendations. Our findings are disseminated through various channels, including academic articles, books, op-eds, podcasts, documentaries, public events, a summer school, and diverse media outlets.

Responsibilities

As the Project Officer of our research program, your responsibilities consist of a project management component and a research component. You will assist the IRW team by taking the lead in the administrative tasks involved in running a research program. In addition, we seek your support in our ongoing commissioned research project on twenty years of Western interventionism in Afghanistan (2001-2021), for which IRW researchers are embedded with the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust, and Genocide Studies. In any given week, your responsibilities will include: 

• Leading public engagement through IRW’s website and social media channels
• Crafting insightful posts on the latest developments in remote warfare for a diverse audience
• Managing administrative tasks, including documenting internal and external meetings
• Assisting in the collection (and visualization) of qualitative and quantitative data
• Building empirical case studies that lay the groundwork for the core analyses of ongoing research projects

Requirements

The internship kicks off in February 2024 and calls for a commitment of 20 hours per week for a minimum of 4 months. The position has a strong research profile and would be best suited for a current or former student of Conflict Studies, International Relations, or related fields. We are looking for an individual who:

• Is fluent in English and preferably proficient in Dutch
• Possesses excellent communication skills
• Works in a structured and independent manner
• Is familiar with designing basic PR graphics
• Has experience with document analysis and open-source investigation techniques

Proficiency in Pashto and/or Dari, as well as quantitative data visualization skills are considered assets. 

What we offer you

Your role at IRW enables you to broaden your expertise and make meaningful contributions to discourses on the (changing) character of conflict and warfare in the 21st century. We actively seek to offer you opportunities to shape the internship to fit your ambitions and encourage you to combine the position with an academic thesis project. Our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration furthermore means you will find yourself working alongside experts from various fields, providing you with ample opportunity to expand your professional network. 

How to apply

Excited to become part of the IRW team? We would love to hear from you! Simply email your CV and cover letter to Dr. Lauren Gould at l.m.gould@uu.nl.

The deadline to apply is 30 December 2023, 23:59 CET.