Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Technology and the (future) Human in War x2(UK Visa Sponsorship)

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Uk
February 5, 2026
Full Time Permanent
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Job Description

About the Project

The School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex is seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join the internationally significant research project “Technology and the (Future) Human in War” (TfHW), funded by the Leverhulme Trust Research Leaders Scheme.

The project explores how contemporary warfare is increasingly shaped and mediated by advanced technologies — including lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), weaponised artificial intelligence, drones, cyber operations, and technologically enhanced soldiers. It asks urgent and fundamental questions about the future of human involvement in war:

How do emerging military technologies reshape what it means to be human in conflict?

  • What are the implications for soldiers, civilians, enemies, and citizens when war is increasingly fought through machines and systems?
  • How do these transformations alter responsibility, agency, vulnerability, and ethics in warfare?
  • The research focuses on three in-depth case studies: Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen.

Your Role

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will play a central role in shaping the intellectual direction and outputs of the project. Working closely with the Principal Investigator, a second postdoctoral fellow, and a research assistant, you will contribute to both conceptual development and empirical research.

Your work will include:

  • Authoring and co-authoring journal articles for leading peer-reviewed publications
  • Contributing to and co-editing an academic edited volume
  • Presenting research findings at international conferences
  • Co-designing and co-leading two academic workshops
  • Conducting qualitative fieldwork, including interviews
  • Developing follow-on research agendas and funding applications
  • Engaging actively with interdisciplinary and critical theoretical debates
  • You will be supported by a generous research budget and receive structured career development support throughout the fellowship.

Specialist Focus Areas

We are recruiting for two distinct but connected posts:

Ref 43028: Expertise in cyber operations, with strong knowledge of the Russia–Ukraine war or Ukrainian military context

Ref 43027: Expertise in technologically enhanced soldiers (neuro-, bio-, or techno-enhancement), ideally with knowledge of the Israeli military

Applicants should clearly indicate which post they are applying for.

About You

You will be intellectually curious, critically engaged, and motivated to work on the ethical, political, and social implications of military technologies over the full duration of the project.

You will bring:

  • A completed PhD in a relevant field (e.g. International Relations, Security Studies, STS, Sociology, Politics)
  • Subject expertise aligned with one of the two specialist focus areas
  • Strong interest in how technology reshapes the conduct and experience of war
  • Engagement with feminist International Relations and/or Science and Technology Studies
  • Experience or enthusiasm for qualitative research methods
  • A collaborative approach to research and publication
  • You will be a key intellectual partner in developing the project’s innovative conceptual framework.

About the School of Global Studies

The School of Global Studies is a vibrant, interdisciplinary hub addressing the most urgent challenges facing the world today — including war and peace, climate justice, inequality, migration, human rights, and global health.

The School is known for:

  • Interdisciplinary research and teaching
  • A strong global and decolonial outlook
  • Anti-racist and reparative justice approaches
  • Research with real-world relevance and impact
  • Our mission is to generate transformative scholarship and teaching that contributes to a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world.

Why Join the University of Sussex?

Located within 150 acres of parkland at the edge of the South Downs, Sussex offers a unique academic environment combining intellectual ambition with an outstanding quality of life.

Benefits include:

  • Excellent public transport links, including Falmer Station five minutes from campus
  • On-campus bus routes and dedicated cycling paths
  • Cycle-to-work scheme and wellbeing initiatives
  • A diverse, inclusive, international academic community
  • Competitive rewards, pension, and development opportunities
  • At Sussex, our people are central to our success — and we actively support early-career researchers to thrive.

Visa, ATAS & Right to Work Information

This role may be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, subject to Home Office requirements. Appointment at Grade 7.4 (full-time) meets the salary threshold for sponsorship.

Please note:

  • ATAS clearance may be required depending on nationality and research focus
  • All work for the University must be carried out in the UK

Helpful UK Government guidance:

Key Dates & Contact

  • Closing Date: 11 February 2026 (3:59 PM)
  • Expected Interview Date: To be confirmed
  • Expected Start Date: April / May 2026

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