Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Location: Downtown Phoenix Campus
Open Date: Jun 09, 2025
Deadline: June 27, 2025

Description

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University (www.thunderbird.asu.edu) is seeking applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible postdoctoral research scholar, beginning Fall 2025. Renewal is possible on an annual basis for up to two years contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. For additional information and policies regarding postdoctoral scholars at ASU, please see https://academicpersonnel.asu.edu/posdoc.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in managing a gift funded lab that focuses on ocean diplomacy, which can be broadly defined as the use of diplomatic strategies, negotiations, and international cooperation to manage relations and resolve disputes concerning oceans, seas, and maritime activities. Thematic topics that the lab prioritizes may include business and economic diplomacy at sea (e.g. maritime trade, fisheries and resource diplomacy, energy and mineral diplomacy, blue economy initiatives), governance and legal diplomacy (e.g. UNCLOS and legal frameworks, multilateral maritime institutions, security and rule enforcement, and jurisdictional challenges), sustainability and environmental diplomacy (e.g. climate change impacts, ocean biodiversity and conservation, pollution and marine health, and sustainable resource use), and technology and innovation diplomacy (e.g. surveillance, monitoring, and maritime domain awareness, maritime infrastructure and smart ports, green shipping technologies, ocean science and data diplomacy, and dual-use technologies). The postdoctoral fellow will report to Dr. Jonas Gamso, Deputy Dean of Knowledge Enterprise and an Associate Professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

Job Duties

The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in launching and managing a new Ocean Diplomacy Laboratory, contributing to both its intellectual agenda and operational development. The fellow will be expected to develop an innovative and rigorous research agenda in the field of ocean diplomacy - broadly defined to include governance of maritime resources, marine environmental cooperation, ocean-related conflict resolution, and regional and global institutional arrangements.

• Conducting independent research and collaborating with faculty on interdisciplinary projects that align with the department's emphasis on global management and international cooperation.
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data relevant to ocean diplomacy and related fields.
• Preparing research for dissemination in high-impact academic journals and practitioner-oriented outlets.
• Engaging with external stakeholders, including policymakers, NGOs, and other community and international partners, to foster applied insights and collaborative projects.
• Assisting in the preparation of reports, grant proposals, and internal documentation related to the Ocean Diplomacy Laboratory's activities.
• Supporting center operations and contributing to strategic planning and coordination of events, workshops, and research initiatives.
• Participating in departmental and university programming aimed at enhancing interdisciplinary research and public engagement.

The ideal candidate will combine scholarly expertise with the organizational and interpersonal skills necessary to help build a new center of excellence at the intersection of ocean governance and global affairs.

About Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU

Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University cultivates visionary leaders who harness innovation and a global digital mindset to shape the organizations of the future. Committed to transforming leadership and management education, Thunderbird empowers professionals to drive sustainable prosperity in an increasingly interconnected world. As the premier institution for global leadership and management education, Thunderbird is more than just a school - it is a dynamic global network of leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs spanning both the private and public sectors.

As the world's first higher education institution dedicated exclusively to international leadership, Thunderbird pioneered a curriculum integrating global management, international political economy, regional business environments, languages, and cross-cultural communication. Often described as a "mini-United Nations," the school fosters a globally inclusive student body. Thunderbird's vast and influential alumni network includes nearly 50,000 graduates across 150 countries, with over 170 active alumni chapters in 70 nations.

In December 2014, Thunderbird became a part of the Arizona State University enterprise, blending its decades-long legacy of cultivating global leaders with ASU's vast resources and commitment to innovation. In 2018, Thunderbird relocated to ASU's vibrant Downtown Phoenix campus, uniting the world's No. 1 ranked Master's in Management (WSJ/THE) with the No. 1 university for innovation (U.S. News & World Report). Additionally, Thunderbird's partnership with Arizona State University extends its influence to the ASU California Center in Los Angeles and the Barrett & O'Connor Washington Center in Washington, D.C., reinforcing its commitment to shaping the future of global business leadership.

For the third consecutive year, Thunderbird has been recognized as the world's top institution for international trade by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the global authority on higher education rankings. In its 2025 International Trade Rankings, Thunderbird secured the No. 1 spot ahead of esteemed institutions such as Columbia University, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler), the University of Oxford (UK), IMD (Switzerland), and Tsinghua University (China). This prestigious recognition underscores Thunderbird's unparalleled leadership in shaping the future of global commerce and diplomacy.

At the heart of Thunderbird's transformation is the F. Francis & Dionne Najafi Thunderbird Global Headquarters, an ultramodern 110,000-square-foot facility on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus. Designed to integrate cutting-edge technology with immersive global learning, this state-of-the-art building serves as a launchpad for the next generation of global leaders.

Further extending its global reach, Thunderbird's network of regional centers embodies its mission to advance global leadership and education. With over 15 dedicated regional representatives, Thunderbird maintains a strong presence through physical hubs in Phoenix, AZ (Global Headquarters); Geneva, Switzerland; Dubai, UAE; Seoul, South Korea; and Jakarta, Indonesia. Complementing these locations are virtual centers in Tokyo, Japan; Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Amsterdam, Netherlands; London, United Kingdom; Mexico City, Mexico; Taipei, Taiwan; and Cairo, Egypt.

Thunderbird is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and is an affiliate of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA).

The Thunderbird faculty are a globally inclusive and collaborative group that strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, strongly supportive of providing equal opportunity to exceptional candidates of every race, gender, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, and identity. We welcome candidates from all over the world.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

Qualifications

• Possess an earned doctorate degree in a relevant area, such as business administration, international relations, sustainability, or oceanography, with a specialization in maritime activities.
• Demonstrates interest in conducting research on ocean/sea diplomacy, broadly defined.
• Demonstrates the potential to secure external funding.
• Demonstrates the potential to publish research in premier scholarly and applied journals, and/or books with highly ranked publishers.
• Demonstrates the potential for collaboration in research and grant writing.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated skill in data collection or managing a research project.
• Demonstrated evidence of a high-quality research program including peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Global, digital, inclusive, and sustainable mindsets and competencies.
• Teaching experience.
• Proficiency in more than one language.
• Experience of either living or working in more than one country.
• Interdisciplinary backgrounds, applied research, and professional experience as complements to scholarly achievement; and
• Cross-sectoral competencies from business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

Application Details

Applicants should submit the following:

• A cover letter introducing the candidate, the qualifications for the position, and motivation to apply.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A list of at least three (3) professional references.
• Applicants advancing to the second round of review may be asked to provide additional materials.
• All Applications must be submitted electronically by the deadline.

Application deadline is June 27, 2025. However, applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.

Arizona State University conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

For more information and to apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6290172.