Postdoctoral Researcher

APPLICATION BY EMAIL according to the application rules hereunder (not via LinkedIn). Please attach all the documents asked. CONTEXT In the framework of the study Promote and Protect Policy, and Firm-State Relations (PROFIRST), we are looking for a full-time researcher in the domain of geoeconomics with a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as political science or economics. The Royal Military Academy is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The RMA is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defense department or external sources. We value diversity and equal opportunities. Whether you are a man, a woman or X, or come from any background, we firmly believe that diversity enriches our community, and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply. PROJECT You work within the department of Economics, Management and Leadership of the Faculty of Social and Military Sciences of the RMA and in close collaboration with Prof. Cind Du Bois. You conduct scientific research at university level on a project entitled ‘Promote and Protect Policy, and Firm-State Relations’ (PROFIRST). The PROFIRST research project (2027–2030) examines how changing relations between governments and firms, in the context of the European economic security strategy, affect national security. The project is situated within the field of (international) political economy and consists of five work packages. The first work package analyses geoeconomic threats from both a theoretical and an empirical perspective. The second and third work packages assess the effectiveness of the protect and promote policy measures of the European economic security strategy, respectively, with particular attention to their impact on firm behaviour and national security. The research also examines Chinese industrial policy, given China's prominent role in shaping the geoeconomic challenges facing Europe. Understanding China's industrial policies and their implications for European firms is therefore important for assessing the effectiveness of European economic security measures. The final two work packages focus on disseminating research findings to policymakers and the wider public, and on the overall management of the project. A more detailed description of the research project is available upon request from the project supervisor, Cind Du Bois. MAIN TASKS
• Main responsibilities
• Conducting and supervising research as a postdoctoral researcher within the PROFIRST project at the Department of Economics, Management and Leadership of the Royal Military Academy, focusing on the economic security implications of changing relations between governments and firms.
• Additional responsibilities
• Supervising PhD students at the Royal Military Academy whose research activities are related to the PROFIRST project;
• Actively disseminating research findings to policymakers, both within the Ministry of Defence and across other Belgian federal and regional government institutions, as well as supranational institutions such as the European Union;
• Occasionally contributing to teaching activities at the Royal Military Academy on topics related to the PROFIRST project;
• Occasionally supervising master's theses on topics related to the PROFIRST project;
• Participating in committees, meetings and activities related to the missions of the Royal Military Academy;
• Contributing to the general activities and responsibilities of the Department. SKILLS AND

EXPERIENCE:
Degree(s) required : PhD in a relevant discipline, such as political science or economics, with a focus on international political economy, ideally in the domain of geoeconomics, economic statecraft and economic security; if the candidate holds a PhD in a non-economic field, an additional master’s degree in an economics-related field is an added value. This position is open for experienced profiles (ideally 3 years of experience minimum). “MUST HAVE” skills (3-5 max):
• Have at least four years of relevant experience in academic research in the fields of geoeconomics, economic statecraft and economic security.
• Have authored relevant peer-reviewed publications in the fields of geoeconomics, economic statecraft and economic security. “NICE TO HAVE” skills (3-5 max):
• Hold a master's degree in an economics-related field if the candidate holds a PhD in a non-economic field.
• Have relevant experience in economic policymaking in the Belgian context, preferably in the fields of geoeconomics, economic statecraft and economic security.
• Have experience with the functioning of the Belgian Ministry of Defence, preferably as a (reserve) officer.
• Have an excellent command of Dutch and French. Personal skills (3-5 max):
• You are comfortable sharing the research insights with a bigger audience, such as policymakers, legislators and the public through media interventions.
• You can apply quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods to the research.
• You can translate your research findings to clear but nuanced policy implications.
• You are comfortable working in a military environment and are at ease with interacting with top-level officials. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
• The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defence. It is considered an advantage if you already hold a security clearance.
• Working for the Patrimony requires living in Belgium for the duration of the study. APPLICATION Please send by email a CV to Prof. Cind Du Bois (Cindy.
DuBois@mil.be) and to ERM-DEAO-STAFF-HRMGT-PATRIMONY@mil.be. Please mention clearly the reference of the project in your email: “PROFIRST” and please also precise your nationality. Application deadline: 10/11/2026 The interviews will take place at the Royal Military Academy, Hobbemastraat 8, 1000 Brussels. If needed, on-line interviews can be organized. The date and time of the interview will be communicated to the preselected candidates. CONTRACT
• Probable date of recruitment: From 1 April 2027, in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: Full-time employment based on a fixed-term contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). Please note that your contract will be open-ended, but the financing of the contract will be tied to the funding project, which is guaranteed for 4 years.
• Wage scale: NA21 (doctor’s degree in the same area of expertise), with valuable / relevant seniority. A salary simulation can be done here: Simulateur de salaire. RMA applies a merit-based research career track, allowing researchers to advance in wage scale based upon annual evaluations.
• Holiday pay. EXTRA LEGAL BENEFITS
• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Meal vouchers (6€ / day);
• Digital allowance: 15€ / month;
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside

working hours
;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible

working hours
within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible with allowance (2 days / week max);
• Holidays:
• 29 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years)
• 1 week OFF every year between Christmas and New year’s Eve (independent of the annual balance of holidays).
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...);
• Entitlement to services offered by the ‘Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense’ (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility to benefit from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability). WORKPLACE Royal Military Academy, Avenue de la Renaissance 30, 1000 Brussels.