About this role
Requirements The successful candidate will have the following experience and skills: • A university degree or degrees, in disciplines and topics relevant to this post, at Master level, or publications to Master or Doctoral degree standard; • Strong analytical skills with a sound understanding of numbers and statistics and enjoys working with databases; • At least 2 years of experience in policy research and writing; • Broad knowledge on issues relating to military spending, arms industry and arms transfers; • Demonstrate the ability to work within a team, but also the ability to work independently; • Fluency in both written and spoken English, other languages are highly desirable; • A record of publications that is commensurate by SIPRI standards with the length of time worked in research; • Excellent communication skills; • Some experience in dealing with the media. Previous experience working with databases and an understanding of database programming are considered assets. SIPRI is seeking a researcher to join the Arms and Military Expenditure Programme (AMEX). SIPRI’s research on arms transfers, military expenditure and arms production has been at the core of the institute's work since its foundation in the 1960s. This work is largely based on three comprehensive and open-access databases: The military expenditure database, the arms industry database, and the arms Transfers database. All three databases offer a unique resource, being the only consistent, time series databases on these topics with global coverage. The databases are a 'global public good' in the field of peace and security, and are widely used by researchers, policy-makers, diplomats, students and educators, civil society organizations, businesses, and concerned citizens. SIPRI’s databases are accessed hundreds of times per day, and the annual launches of SIPRI's data are often covered by more than 2000 media outlets on the launch week alone. Together with other members of the AMEX team, the Researcher will be required to participate in all aspects of the research and the maintenance of the databases in the areas of military expenditure, arms industry and arms transfers. This includes research on long and short-term projects, database development, data collection, data analysis, and database and research dissemination. Tasks and responsibilities The main responsibilities of the incoming Researcher will be: • Contribute to policy research in areas relating to military expenditure, arms industry and arms transfers; • All database related work for the Military Expenditure, Arms Industry and Arms Transfers databases (e.g. data collection, management, analysis etc.); • Contribute to dissemination of the research results, including the annual launches of SIPRI’s new data (all 3 databases), participation in international meetings and regular interaction with global media; • Co-authoring of the SIPRI Yearbook AMEX chapters, other chapters and other publications when relevant. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent international institute whose core mission is to undertake research and activities on security, conflict and peace. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public. SIPRI provides excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development. SIPRI is an equal opportunity employer.