The Finnish Institute of International Affairs is now seeking researchers for the programme period of 1.1.2026–31.12.2028 to the following research programmes:
Finland and Northern European Security research programme
The programme produces strategic research on Finnish foreign and security policy and Finland’s changing security environment. The programme’s key research focus is Finnish comprehensive security and resilience policy, and more broadly Finland’s role in international relations. Furthermore, the programme aims to conduct research on the various aspects related to security and the geostrategy in Northern Europe: the Nordic countries, the Baltic Sea region, and the Arctic.
The European Union and Strategic Competition research programme
The programme focuses on the European Union and its global and regional role in the context of growing strategic competition. The key areas of research are the EU’s external relations, the trajectories of EU integration and the exercise of power in the EU. The programme will also examine the policies of Finland and key European countries within these themes. In the coming programme period, there are plans to establish a new research centre for the Middle East and North Africa to explore the political and regional dynamics in the EU’s southern neighbourhood and its implications for Finland and the EU.
Russia, Eastern Europe and Eurasia research programme
The research programme studies key processes affecting foreign and security policy in the region east of the EU, with a special emphasis on Russia. The programme’s main research themes are: Russia’s domestic political development, Russia’s foreign and security policy and its relations with the EU, US, China and the Global South, and political dynamics in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
Global Security and Governance research programme
The research programme on global security and governance concentrates on international political and economic relations and their security implications in a shifting global order. In addition to changes at the systemic level, there is an emphasis on the multidimensional competition between the US and China for global leadership and the challenges of global governance, especially the politics of climate change and the technological development. The programme hosts the Centre for US politics and power, the Centre for Global Orders and China and the Centre for Climate Politics and Security. During the coming programme period, it is possible that a new centre for geoeconomics and emerging technologies will be founded.
Explore the job announcements, the programme period, and the institute’s activities. The application deadline for the positions is May 9, 2025.