Junior Research Fellow, Current and Emerging Threats Programme
Level: Entry Level
Commitment: 38 hours per week
Location: The Hague
Starting Date: 1 April 2025
Who We Are
ICCT is a leading independent think-and-do tank based in The Hague, Netherlands. We provide cutting-edge research, policy advice as well as training and capacity-building to various stakeholders, with a view to shaping effective and evidence-based policies against terrorism and violent extremism, grounded in human rights and the rule of law.
We work on many projects, including several large multi-annual ones, for various national governments as well as a range of partners, including the European Union, NATO, the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), the UN and others.
Who We’re Looking For
We are looking for a Junior Research Fellow to work on our Current and Emerging Threats (CET) programme. The Fellow will contribute to an EU-funded project on (the threat of) anti-Semitic violence in Europe and another project on Russian extremist disinformation against European/Western citizens. The fellow will also be involved in the institution’s broader research on the evolving terrorist threat and the organisation’s attempts to secure further projects on the issues pertaining to CET’s expertise.
We are looking for someone with an interest and expertise on online radicalisation/extremism. Interest in/expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and anti-Semitism/anti-Semitic violence could be a bonus. However, we are happy to consider applications from prospective fellows with different thematical backgrounds as long as they are interested/have the track record of working on issues pertaining to online radicalisation/extremism.
This is an entry level position so experience of working in a think-tank environment/ academia/ government would be a bonus but we are also open to applications from individuals at the beginning of their career paths. Our preferred candidate has a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (see below).
In addition to research activities, this role is potentially responsible for helping with the management of small and mid-sized ICCT projects, while supporting the Programme Lead in large projects. Some experience in project management and implementation would therefore be a bonus, as would experience in working with traditional CT and P/CVE stakeholders.
In general, you have a pro-active mindset, are ready for a fast-paced and evolving work environment, and are excited to take on new opportunities as they emerge.
Your Tasks and Responsibilities
Research and Programming Support
-
Conduct research with both primary and secondary sources, including analysis of collected and collated "awful but lawful" and borderline online content related to far-right extremism in general and anti-Semitism in particular,
-
Contribute to research activities and author publications on terrorist trends, groups, ideologies, attacks, and CT responses.
Project Management and Project Delivery
- Manage or help manage small or mid-sized ICCT projects at the request of – and under the supervision of – the Programme Lead.
Institutional Profile Building
-
Help set up and participate in ICCT events and trainings on topical issue,
-
Participate in public debate (e.g. through media work) or policy debate (e.g. through roundtables, workshops, media appearances, etc.) in national or international setting,
-
Strengthen ICCT’s network and partnership
Acquisition and Fundraising
- Provide grant writing and other support for fundraising applications.
Team Responsibilities
- Help mentor and formally guide interns.
What You Bring To The Table
Essential Qualifications
-
Academic degree at Master’s level or higher in a related discipline (e.g. terrorism studies, international law, political science, international relations, security studies, criminology or conflict studies),
-
Interest in and track record of working on online radicalisation/extremism issues,
-
Strong communication skills,
-
Unimpeachable personal and professional integrity,
-
Fluency in English,
-
Writing experience as demonstrated by a list of publications or a provided writing sample.
Preferred Qualifications
-
Two years of working on the issue of online radicalization/extremism and topics related to current and emerging terrorist threats,
-
Interest in AI and anti-Semitism/anti-Semitic violence,
-
Experience of project development and implementation,
-
Experience of working with traditional CT and P/CVE stakeholders.
What We’re Offering
-
Role: Junior Research Fellow, Current and Emerging Threats Programme,
-
Start date: 1 April 2025 with a one-year contract, renewable upon good performance,
-
Commitment: 38 hours per week (1,0 FTE),
-
Salary: €3.246,16 – € 3.643,12 gross monthly for 38 hours per week. Comparable with Scale 8 CAO Rijk,
-
Benefits: 8% holiday pay and 8,3% end of year bonus, pension scheme, commuting allowance, remote working allowance, generous leave policies including 29 days of holiday per year (based on 38 hours per week).
-
ICCT cannot offer visa sponsorship for this position.
This vacancy closes on 31 January 2025, 23:59. Interested candidates can send a cover letter, resume and a publications list (or a writing sample) to a.verlaan@icct.nl. Please include the name of the role in your subject line.