General information

swisspeace fosters national and international excellence in peace research, teaching, and training by partnering with academics worldwide and using inter- and transdisciplinary approaches. Our research combines scientific rigor with practice-relevance. Our findings feed into academic, policy and practice discussions with the objective to improve peacebuilding actions and their impact.

To strengthen and expand its research, swisspeace is recruiting a:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Dealing with the Past (80 - 100 %)

Starting date: 1 October 2026 (or by agreement)

The position is open to researchers working on dealing with the past and transitional justice processes fitting with the expertise of swisspeace’s Dealing with the Past’ Program. The Program supports governmental and non-governmental actors working to overcome the legacy of massive human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law having occurred in contexts of colonialism, armed conflict and authoritarian regimes, and to prevent their reoccurrence.
Postdocs at swisspeace are affiliated with the University of Basel’s Department of Social Sciences, where they have the opportunity to teach and enjoy full access to the university’s resources. The appointed postdoctoral researcher will be supported in acquiring longer-term third-party research funding.

Your tasks

• Develop innovative research projects and acquire research funding from Swiss and international research funding bodies 
• Generate and disseminate high-quality research outputs in the form of publications and other scientific communication in the areas of dealing with the past and transitional justice 
• Teach at the University of Basel at undergraduate and postgraduate levels as well as in swisspeace’s continuing education program
• Contribute to knowledge exchange and a dialogue between research, practice and policy through workshops, practice-oriented consultancies, and trainings

Your profile

• Ambition to shape dealing with the past and transitional justice research relevant for academic and policy/practitioner audiences
• PhD degree in a field related to dealing with the past (e.g., political science, international relations, social anthropology, urban or gender studies, international law, psychology) awarded at least one year prior to the application deadline
• High-quality publications in accordance with career stage
• Track record, or clear potential, to acquire research funding
• Strong research design and methodological (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods) skills
• Demonstrated research expertise in one of the following areas of dealing with the past: archives; victim participation; the search for disappeared and missing persons; psychosocial dimensions of dealing with the past; reparations; art, memory and creative practices
• Interest and ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary and international research teams, commitment to equitable research partnerships with academics and university institutions in the Global South.
• A proactive and well-organized approach to research and project implementation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; additional language skills relevant to the field are an asset

What we offer

• A highly motivated team of researchers and practitioners working on peacebuilding and dealing with the past
• Excellent working conditions, flexible office hours and an attractive workplace in the city of Basel
• Salary in line with swisspeace’s Salary Regulations and depending on level of experience between CHF 73’000 and CHF 85’000
• Support for conference attendance and other research costs
• The initial appointment is for one year, with the expectation of renewal for a second year if submissions of high quality were made. Further extension beyond two years may be possible, depending on the successful acquisition of external research funding.  

We look forward to receiving your complete application in English by 6 September 2026, including:

• Motivation letter
• A two-page concept note outlining a research project to be developed into a future grant proposal ("work sample") 
• CV 
• Diplomas/Certificates
• Letters of recommendation by previous employers or supervisors (if available)
• Names and contact information of two academic referees.

 
Please submit your application via our online portal. Other means of application will not be accepted.
For further information please consult our website swisspeace.ch or contact us by phone under +41 61 551 56 31.