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INSTITUTE OF MALAYSIAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

UKM-Nippon Foundation Endowment Fund

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Human Security, Development and Peace (2026/2027)

Overarching Theme

The intersecting crises of climate vulnerability, unprocedural migration, forced displacement, deepened inequality and geopolitical fracture demand a paradigm shift in how Southeast Asia, approaches security.

In 1994, the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) introduced human security concept, aiming to shift the focus of security away from traditional security-centric, territories and military terms toward people and their everyday survival.

The concept was built around two fundamental dimensions: human security can only be achieved when people enjoy and benefit from both “freedom from fear” and “freedom from want”.

However, after more than three decades from its first inception, the concept does not only lose political traction but also commitment from international community.

As an institute that promotes scholarly discourse on globalization and social transformation, IKMAS through our UKM-Nippon Foundation initiative envisions to revisit, revitalize and foster human security discourse, intersecting with other increasingly important topics: development and peace.

 

Here UKM-Nippon Foundation offers three Post-Doctoral Fellowship positions, focusing on the intersecting themes of Human Security, Development and Peace. We invite emerging scholars to revisit, reimagine and revitalize critical discourse around human security, development and peace – using Malaysia, and various human (in)security issues as a critical case study.

Moving beyond traditional state-centric paradigms, the fellowship advocates for a people-centred framing to address various human (in)security issues in Malaysia, and place, test and contend them within the broader regional and international security and development lens.

The fellowship encourages cross-disciplinary, multi-disciplinary and critical research that deconstructs nuances of Malaysia’s and regional’s resilience, inclusive development, and human security.

Join us in redefining security not only as the defense of borders, but as the safeguarding of human dignity and equitable peace.

About the Fellowship

  • The UKM-Nippon Foundation (Post-Doctoral Fellowship) is a short-term, temporary and mentored research programme for eligible post-doctoral scholar(s) to pursue cutting-edge research on topics pertaining to human security, development and peace.

 Objective

  • It aims to help post-doctoral scholar(s) to deepen research expertise, build publication and grant track record, and expand professional network.

Who We Are Looking For?

  • Three (3) Postdoctoral fellows: open to all citizens of ASEAN or resident in any ASEAN country

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Have completed her/his completed PhD within the last 5 years
  • Aged not more than 45 years old at the time of application
  • Possess a relevant working-draft (manuscript) before enrollment – i.e., relevant to Human Security, Development and Peace.
  • Demonstrate strong research potential aligned with the overarching themes of the fellowship

What Do We Offer? 

  • Honorarium (RM5,000, one-off) to support in-person residential fellowship
  • Air flight ticket (return) (economy class) to eligible Postdoctoral fellows
  • Accommodation for the duration of in person residential fellowship
  • Limited travel grant to support field research in Malaysia (reimbursable basis)
  • Publication incentive
  • Office space and access to IKMAS facilities
  • A strong research platform to build international collaboration, expand research profile, and contribute to interdisciplinary debates on human security, development and peace

Fellowship Responsibility 

  • Complete a one-month in-person residential fellowship at IKMAS, UKM in November/December 2026.
  • Present a working paper at IKMAS Colloquium of Human Security, Development and Peace, scheduled to take place in December 2026
  • Publish one article either in Scopus and/or WOS-indexed journal, or in IKMAS Working Paper Series, within one year after residential fellowship at IKMAS

 Intellectual Property

  • All works produced during the fellowship program shall conform to the UKM rules and regulations.

How to Apply?

Application must be made online via this LINK, or scan QR code below:

Please prepare and submit the following document online:

  • A short write up (between 750 and 1,000 words) of your proposed research topic and expected deliverable from the fellowship.
  • A cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages), with list of relevant publications
  • Copy of your PhD certificate (with date/year of graduation)

You may also attach any other documents to support your application.

Any questions can be addressed and sent to andikawahab@ukm.edu.my

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.