Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Technology(UK Visa Sponsorship)
Job Description
About the Opportunity
The School of Global Studies at the University of Sussex is seeking two Postdoctoral Research Fellows to join an ambitious, interdisciplinary research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust Research Leaders Scheme:
“Technology and the (Future) Human in War” (TfHW).
This project explores how rapidly evolving military technologies are reshaping the meaning, experience, and ethics of human involvement in contemporary warfare. As conflict becomes increasingly mediated through artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, drones, cyber operations, and enhanced soldiers, fundamental questions emerge:
- What does it now mean to be human in war?
- How are responsibility, vulnerability, and agency transformed?
- What are the implications for soldiers, civilians, citizens, and adversaries?
TfHW focuses on three major case studies: Ukraine, Israel, and Yemen, offering a rich empirical and conceptual foundation for world-leading research.
- The Two Research Posts
- We are recruiting for two distinct but collaborative roles:
Post 43028 – Cyber Operations & Ukraine
- Expertise in cyber operations
- Strong knowledge of the Russia–Ukraine conflict (highly desirable)
Post 43027 – Technologically Enhanced Soldiers & Israel
- Expertise in human enhancement technologies (neuro, bio, techno)
- Knowledge of the Israeli military context (highly desirable)
- Both fellows will work closely with the Principal Investigator, a second postdoctoral researcher, and a research assistant.
What You’ll Be Doing
As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will play a central role in shaping the project’s intellectual direction and outputs. Your responsibilities will include:
- Authoring and co-authoring high-impact journal articles
- Contributing to and helping edit a major edited volume
- Presenting research at international conferences
- Co-leading two international workshops
- Conducting qualitative fieldwork interviews
- Developing follow-on research funding proposals
- Actively engaging in the project’s conceptual and theoretical innovation
- You will benefit from a generous research budget and structured support for your long-term academic career development.
About You
We are looking for researchers who are:
- Passionate about understanding how technology is transforming modern warfare
- Committed to working on this agenda for the full duration of the project
- Knowledgeable in, or keen to engage with, Feminist International Relations and/or Science and Technology Studies (STS)
- Comfortable working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research team
- Motivated to produce research that is both theoretically innovative and socially relevant
About the School of Global Studies
The School of Global Studies is a leading international centre for research and teaching on the most urgent global challenges of our time, including:
- War, peace, and security
- Global justice and inequality
- Climate and environmental change
- Migration, health, and human rights
- We are known for our interdisciplinary approach, global outlook, and strong commitment to decolonising, anti-racist, and reparative justice frameworks. Our work aims not only to understand the world, but to help shape fairer and more sustainable futures.
Why Join the University of Sussex?
- A beautiful 150-acre campus set against the South Downs
- Excellent transport links, including Falmer train station on campus
- Supportive benefits including cycle-to-work schemes
- A vibrant, research-led international university community
- Strong institutional commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Visa, Right to Work & Compliance Information
- This role meets the requirements for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship (subject to appointment at Grade 7.4 and full-time hours)
- Some applicants may require ATAS clearance
- All work for this role must be undertaken within the UK
Useful UK Government Information:
- Skilled Worker Visa guidance
- ATAS clearance information
- Right to Work in the UK
- Equality Act 2010
- UK research ethics and integrity
Additional Information
The University of Sussex welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and is committed to building an inclusive academic community.
