Postdoctoral Researcher: Deception in World Politics

Are you a motivated researcher and would you like to investigate why and how states and other actors employ deception in international relations? Do you have an interest in international relations theory, political communication, philosophy and/or linguistics, and are you keen to combine these interests in cutting-edge and policy-relevant research? Then you have a part to play as a Postdoctoral Researcher on the project ‘Deception in World Politics’.

The project focuses on the motivations for and processes of deception employed by states and other sub/non-state actors in their foreign policy discourses and behaviour, as well as in international relations writ large. This involves (i) conceptualising the international politics of deception (including, for example, lying, BS, deceptive implicatures, disinformation), (ii) identifying the conditions and structures which facilitate them (for example post-truth politics, digital tools of communication, polarisation), (iii) designing suitable methodologies as well as (iv) describing and analysing relevant communicative processes and behaviours.

You will conduct research on deception and deceptive communication in international relations, either quantitatively with the help of datasets created as part of the project or qualitatively via in-depth case studies, discourse/content analysis, or other suitable methods.

You will conduct this research partly independently, and partly in collaboration with the project team, which includes Dr Gustav Meibauer as project lead as well as a PhD candidate who is to start in late 2025. You will write and co-author academic publications together with the other project team members.

You will help with knowledge sharing and outreach in the project, and help train the PhD candidate in appropriate theory and methods. You will also help create and facilitate opportunities for Master's degree research (e.g. postgraduate theses) within the project, and contribute to departmental teaching/supervision within the range of your expertise.

Ultimately, the project also aims to identify how policymakers or societies can become resilient to or otherwise combat deceptive communication where it is harmful to democratic governance and peaceful co-existence.

This postdoctoral researcher position also involves 15% teaching duties (including thesis supervision).

Profile

• You have (or are nearing completion of) a PhD degree in International Relations, or any other relevant discipline with a solid background for the study of political communication and international politics.
• You have knowledge of current debates in one or more fields relevant to this project, for example international relations theory, political communication, linguistics, philosophy (of language), or specific deception, propaganda, misinformation, lying, post-truth politics.
• You have expertise in innovative research methodologies.
• You have well-developed academic writing skills.
• You have demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner.
• You have an excellent command of English.

We are

The research project is led by Dr Gustav Meibauer, Assistant Professor in International Relations. Gustav has worked extensively on the political dynamics of foreign policy choice as well as on the role of political ideas, rhetoric and communication in decision-making processes. He has published widely on the subject of international relations theory.

The project, which will also include a PhD candidate (to start in late 2025), will be embedded in the International Relations Chair Group (Prof. Bertjan Verbeek), which consists of multiple internationally recognised staff covering a broad range of international relations approaches and dynamics.

The Chair Group in turn is part of the Department of Political Science at Radboud University. We are a vibrant, collaborative and supportive academic community that values diversity, curiosity as well as excellence in research, teaching and public engagement.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

At Nijmegen School of Management, one of the seven faculties within Radboud University in the Netherlands, we have a clear aim: we enable students, institutions and companies, social actors, and governments to play their part in the transformations towards a sustainable society through high-quality scientific research and education. With more than 4,500 curious students and more than 450 dedicated employees, we form a dynamic community.

Our mission ‘Responsible governance for sustainable societies’ is driven by the ambition to make a difference in the world. At Nijmegen School of Management, we understand management as a broad concept referring to the collective and organised pursuit (responsible governance) of a better world (sustainable societies). We study and teach management at the level of public and private organisations. In this context, we examine how to balance economic, ecological, and social values in a sustainable way. This aim is in line with Radboud University's mission to contribute through teaching and research to a ‘free, healthy world with equal opportunities for all’.

At Nijmegen School of Management, academic research and teaching are carried out in following areas: Business Administration, Economics and Business Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Human Geography, Spatial Planning, and Environment. Our approach to teaching and research is evolving from multidisciplinarity, where we study societal challenges from different disciplinary backgrounds, to interdisciplinarity (integrating disciplinary perspectives for synergy) and transdisciplinarity (involving non-academic stakeholders).

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an important source of inspiration for our work. Our work focuses on the themes Social economy, Resilient society and Sustainable environment. At Nijmegen School of Management, we have our eyes on the world of the future, in which sustainability and responsibility are central values. Together we are creating a better world for everyone.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 years and 3 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.