Non-Resident Research Fellow – Peace & Conflict Studies
Remote · Volunteer (unpaid) · Part-time (~15–20 hours/month) · Six-month term, renewable
About Tessera
The Tessera Institute for Global Affairs is an independent, non-partisan think tank based in Canada that works on international affairs and security studies.
About the role
We are recruiting non-resident Research Fellows to expand our work on peace and conflict, including armed conflict, political violence, peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and post-conflict recovery. Fellows shape their own research questions within this remit and publish under their own bylines, with editorial support from our team. Views expressed by fellows are their own.
The fellowship suits graduate students, early- and mid-career researchers, and practitioners who work independently and write clearly for policy audiences. It is fully remote and open to applicants worldwide.
What you’ll do
- Research and write about one bylined piece per month for Tessera’s platforms, typically an analysis or op-ed of 800–1,500 words, with longer policy briefs planned over a longer timeline
- Develop case studies, thematic analyses, or regional assessments on conflict, security, and peacebuilding
- Where relevant to your work, analyze qualitative or quantitative evidence such as conflict-event datasets, fieldwork material, or comparative cases
- Collaborate with other fellows on joint projects
- Contribute to occasional virtual events and team initiatives
- Join a one-hour bi-weekly team meeting
Time commitment
Fellows commit about 15–20 hours per month, including the weekly meeting, over a six-month term that can be renewed by mutual agreement. Outside the meeting, you set your own schedule; we assess fellows mainly on the quality and timeliness of their published work.
Required
- Graduate-level training (completed or in progress) in political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, security studies, or a closely related field, or equivalent practical experience
- Training in social science research methods and the ability to apply them to peace and conflict questions (e.g., comparative case studies, process tracing, discourse analysis, conflict-event data)
- Strong analytical writing for policy and general audiences
- Working knowledge of the peace and conflict studies literature and current developments
- Self-direction and a record of meeting deadlines with limited supervision
Assets
- Three or more years of relevant professional, research, or field experience
- Proficiency in languages other than English
- Fieldwork experience
What you’ll gain
- A formal affiliation as a Non-Resident Research Fellow, with a profile on our website
- A portfolio of published, bylined work promoted across Tessera’s channels
- Editorial feedback to sharpen your writing and analysis
- Collaboration with an international network of researchers and practitioners
- A written reference on successful completion of your term
- Flexible, remote work that fits around your studies or other commitments
How to apply
Apply through LinkedIn with a single PDF containing:
- Your CV
- A cover letter (maximum one page) outlining your background, your interest in the fellowship, and two or three topics you would like to write about during your term
- One writing sample, published or unpublished, ideally policy-oriented
We review applications on a rolling basis until November 5th, and aim to contact shortlisted candidates within two weeks. We will invite shortlisted candidates to a brief video interview. Anticipated start: 15 November 2026.
Tessera welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and particularly encourages applications from people with roots in conflict-affected regions and from groups underrepresented in security research. If you need an accommodation at any stage of the selection process, please contact admin@tesserainstitute.ca.
Questions? Visit tesserainstitute.ca or email admin@tesserainstitute.ca.
