Postdoctoral Researcher in Maritime Security (DEML-EMPORIA-PhD - HFM/24-03) (M/F/X)

Technical skills
The candidate:

• Holds a PhD in Maritime Economics, Security Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Area Studies or other relevant field
• Is able to conduct interdisciplinary academic research and produce high-level scientific outputs (peer-reviewed publications in international journals, participation in key scientific conferences etc.)
• Is able to use qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies
• Is capable of synthesizing information coherently
• Is able to organize scientific activities, including conferences and seminars
• Basic expertise in maritime security is recommended; expertise at an intermediate or higher level is an added advantage
• Experience in writing project proposals is an added advantage.

Personal skills

• Leadership skills (prioritizing tasks related to project goals, guiding collaborators in the performance of their tasks, acting as liaison with project hierarchy)
• Keen interest in geo-economics, geopolitics or security studies as evidenced by the candidate’s academic track record
• Critical thinking skills
• Ability to read, comprehend, and process substantial amounts of material
• Analytical and synthetic skills, coupled with a critical and creative approach
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Dutch and/or French
• Ability to engage in policy discussions about maritime security and to explain research findings to a broader audience
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a group
• Demonstrated organizational skills, decisiveness, and ability to take initiative
• Ability to adapt research strategies based on the evolving nature of the project and emerging findings

Other skills

• Due to the international context of the research, the candidate must possess excellent oral and written English skills. Proficiency in a foreign language that is relevant to the research (Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Portuguese or Turkish) is an added advantage.
• Interest in working in a defence-related environment
• Ability to be deployed abroad in order to collect empirical data and insights
• Proactive approach in identifying research gaps and proposing solutions
• Networking skills.

Specific requirement

• The employee might be working with classified information and, therefore, may be required to obtain a corresponding security certificate. The candidate is required to consent to the background check required to obtain this clearance, and the check will be conducted by the Belgian Defence.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study.

Contract

• Probable date of recruitment: From 15 August 2024, in consultation with the applicant
• Status: Full-time employment based on an open-ended contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant).
• Wage scale: class A2. Please do note that the financing of your contract is tied to the “EMPORIA” project (which lasts 4 years). RMA-Patrimony applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations.
• Holiday pay

Extra-legal benefits

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test
• End-of-year bonus
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member)
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute)
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day)
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu)
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week
• Teleworking possible with allowance
• Holidays o 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years) o + 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year’s Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays)
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...)
• Entitlement to services offered by the ‘Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense’ (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...
• Possibility of benefiting from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability)

Application
You will be employed in a military environment. For this reason, every employee undergoes security verification. Please
attach to your application the completed document which can be downloaded from the RMA site:
http://www.rma.ac.be/nl/aanvraag-veiligheidsverificatie
Your application should include:

•  motivational letter
• a full CV
• a scan of your ID card (both sides)
• the completed security document

Send your application by e-mail to

• Dr Helena BRUYNINCKX (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be) of the RSWO department of the RMA
• Prof Cind DU BOIS (cindy.dubois@mil.be) and Dr Sara VAN HOEYMISSEN (sara.vanhoeymissen@mil.be) of DEML of the RMA
• Prof Jonathan HOLSLAG (jonathan.holslag@vub.be) of the Department of Political Science of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The deadline for application is 17 May 2024.
Please clearly indicate the project reference: "DEML-EMPORIA-PhD - HFM/24-03".
The interviews will take place at the Royal Military Academy, Hobbemastraat 8, 1000 Brussels. The date and time of the
interview will be communicated to the preselected candidates.

Workplace

• Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels
• Occasional travels abroad for scientific conferences, etc.

Points of contact

• Concerning the research project: Dr Sara Van Hoeymissen (sara.vanhoeymissen@mil.be )
• Concerning the recruitment modalities: Dr Helena Bruyninckx (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be)
• For more information about the Royal Military Academy, see Homepage | RMA