Research Fellow (Space Security) – 10 positions

General background

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from threats of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

UNIDIR’s Space Security Programme, established in 2022, works to build knowledge and awareness on the international security implications and risks that surround the space domain and the use of space technology and contribute to the efforts of policymakers to keep outer space peaceful and secure for all humankind.

Fellowship overview

UNIDIR is launching an annual Space Security Research Fellowship to equip emerging professionals with the skills, networks, and practical experience necessary to address the complex challenges of outer space security. Outer space is becoming increasingly central to global security, economic development, and international cooperation. As the strategic environment evolves, the international community needs a new generation of experts who can navigate the legal, technical, and political dimensions of space governance with skill and perspective. The UNIDIR Space Security Research Fellowship is designed to meet this need. By investing in early-career professionals from around the world, this initiative will contribute to delivering tangible, policy-relevant research while building a diverse network of future leaders who will carry forward the principles of peace, security and stability in outer space.

Drawing on UNIDIR’s position within the United Nations system, the Fellowship offers a unique combination of structured training, applied research, and engagement with multilateral policy processes.

Fellowship eligibility and structure

The Fellowship is aimed at early-career professionals who have completed or are enrolled in a graduate degree in a relevant discipline (international affairs, political science, international law, public administration, disarmament and arms control, international security or a related field).

The Fellowship is structured in the following manner:

1. Duration of a full calendar year (12 months) from the date of selection of the class of Fellows.
2. Involvement of Fellows in UNIDIR activities designed to the Fellows’ understanding of space security and contribute directly to UNIDIR’s work. These activities, include but are not necessarily limited to:
   • Participation in the preparation of research outputs
   • Virtual discussions, lectures and workshops on space security
   • Collaborative opportunities to foster engagement with other Fellows and UNIDIR personnel
3. Participation in a “Space Security 101” preparatory course led by the UNIDIR Space Security team, which will provide a thematic overview of current space security issues, introduce key UN processes, and guide Fellows in the use of UNIDIR’s Space Security Digital Tools, such as the Space Security Portal and the Lexicon for Outer Space Security.
4. In-person participation in the annual Fellows Workshop.
5. In-person participation in UNIDIR’s annual Outer Space Security Conference.

The in-person components of the Fellowship will allow Fellows to engage with their peers, as well as with diplomats, experts, practitioners, and civil society representatives. UNIDIR will cover Fellows’ travel and accommodation costs for the in-person component, ensuring equitable participation. For the virtual component of the Fellowship no stipend is provided, however, the Fellowship offers unparalleled access to the international space security policy community and the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to UNIDIR’s mission.

Except for the scheduled activities and established deadlines of the Fellowship, Fellows will be able to complete all work and outputs at their own pace.

For this Fellowship, fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Expectations and outputs

Throughout the Fellowship year, participants will:

• Contribute directly to UNIDIR’s policy-relevant research (core deliverable): each Fellow will have the opportunity to produce two fact sheets on relevant space security issues to be published on the Space Security Programme’s digital tools. These outputs will be guided by UNIDIR’s research team to ensure they meet the Institute’s standards for accuracy, neutrality, and relevance, and will be published as part of UNIDIR’s open-access resources for the global policy community.
  • Space Security Lexicon: the Fellow will research and expand a term within their area of expertise for publication in the Lexicon.
  • Space Security Portal: the Fellow will research and complete a National Profile fact sheet.
• Develop research idea under the mentorship of UNIDIR experts (optional deliverable): Fellows who wish to pursue independent analysis will have the opportunity to propose a short research commentary for possible publication by UNIDIR. This option is entirely voluntary and subject to a formal proposal process. Fellows may submit a concise proposal outlining their chosen topic, its relevance to space security, and its intended contribution to UNIDIR’s mandate. Proposals will be reviewed against established criteria, including originality, policy relevance, and feasibility within available resources. Only those proposals that meet these standards will be accepted, in which case the UNIDIR Space Security team will work closely with the fellow to develop the piece for publication.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Copyright

UNIDIR retains copyright of all documents and the ownership of the intellectual property resulting from all work carried out under the Fellowship Agreement. The Fellow warrants that any written work will be original works or that where they incorporate copyright material from another source, copyright permission for its use will be obtained. Written output(s) may be attributed to the Fellow.