Assistant or Associate Professor Position in Hybrid Conflicts

ASSISTANT OR ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR POSITION IN HYBRID CONFLICTS Posting period: April 10 to May 10, 2026 Units: Graduate
School of International Studies and Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering Faculties: Faculty of Social Sciences
and
Faculty of Science and Engineering University: Université Laval

About the Institution Located in the heart of
Quebec
City (Canada), Université Laval is one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, recognized for excellence in both
scholarship
and teaching. A global leader in international engagement and a cornerstone of the Francophone academic world, the
University fosters
a vibrant, interdisciplinary community dedicated to advancing knowledge and addressing complex
global challenges. Université Laval
o􀆯ers an exceptional environment for research, innovation, and academic life.

Position Description The Graduate School
of International Studies and the Department of Computer Science and Software
Engineering at Université Laval invite applications for a
tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in the
field of hybrid conflicts. This area encompasses
subversive forms of conflict operating in the “grey zone” between war and peace,
characterized by rapid technological change, cyber
operations, and information manipulation. These evolving modes of confrontation are
embedded in complex geopolitical dynamics and
integrate strategies of influence, cyber capabilities, and technological
innovation.

The successful candidate will hold the
Interdisciplinary Research Chair on Hybrid Conflicts and will be expected to
develop a high-impact research program at
the intersection of strategic studies and computer science. The Chair focuses on
emerging forms of conflict operating below the
threshold of conventional warfare, with particular emphasis on influence
operations, artificial intelligence, and the strategic use of
data in contemporary international security.

The Chairholder will
benefit from dedicated institutional support for
research development, including grant preparation, strategic planning, and
knowledge mobilization. Substantial resources are available
to support research activities, graduate student funding, and the
dissemination of research outcomes.

This is a joint appointment.
The successful candidate will hold an academic position in both
the Graduate School of International Studies (Faculty of Social Sciences)
and the Department of Computer Science and Software
Engineering (Faculty of Science and Engineering), with an expected start date of
July 1, 2026, or no later than January 1,
2027. Appointment will be made at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in
accordance with the Université Laval–SPUL
collective agreement.

DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop an innovative research program at the intersection of
  strategic studies, computer science,
  and software engineering;
• Supervise graduate students (research papers, master’s theses,
  and doctoral dissertations) in strategic
  studies and software engineering;
• Teach interdisciplinary graduate-level courses
  related to international security, hybrid
  conflicts, and digital technologies within programs o􀆯ered by both academic
  units;
• Establish a Geopolitical and Digital
  Laboratory (game theory and simulationbased research);
• Publish scholarly
  work in leading peer-reviewed journals and participate
  in national and international research networks;
• Contribute to the
  pedagogical and administrative activities of both
  a􀆯iliated units;
• Perform any other duties provided for under the Collective
  Agreement between Université Laval and
  SPUL.

SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants must hold either a PhD in the
humanities or social sciences with demonstrated
expertise in digital technologies analysis, OR a PhD in computer science with
significant expertise in international security.

Academic Background and Disciplinary Anchoring

• PhD in a field
  relevant to the Chair’s themes (e.g., international
  relations, strategic studies, international law, computer science, cybersecurity, or
  software engineering);
• Applicants nearing
  completion of their PhD will be considered provided that a letter from their
  supervisor confirms the expected defence date.

Key Competencies

• Interdisciplinarity: demonstrated commitment
  to interdisciplinary collaboration between strategic
  studies and computer science in analyzing the impact of technological
  innovation on evolving forms of conflict;
• Strategic
  expertise: ability to analyze defence doctrines, grey-zone
  theories, geopolitical influence mechanisms, and cognitive warfare
  strategies;
• Advanced technical literacy: understanding of
  network architectures, cybersecurity protocols (with emphasis on
  cyber-espionage), and machine learning
  algorithms;
• Translational capacity: ability to communicate technical concepts to
  policy decision-makers and translate ethical
  imperatives into design constraints for developers.

Experience and
Research Profile

• Research:
  strong and promising research record with demonstrated development potential, including
  multidisciplinary collaboration and
  peerreviewed publications;
• Networking: collaborative links with national security
  actors,
  international organizations (NATO, UN), or major technological research centres (MILA, OBVIA);
• Funding:
  demonstrated ability or strong potential to obtain research funding from diverse agencies (SSHRC for strategic studies, and potentially
  NSERC or defence-related funding sources);
• Teaching: university teaching experience or demonstrated potential for
  graduatelevel teaching;
• Language: ability to teach in French or commitment to acquiring this ability within three
  years
  of appointment.

Alignment with Core Academic Competencies

• Analytical ability, synthesis, and sound
  judgment
• Creativity and innovation
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills and openness
• Teamwork and
  partnership skills
• Autonomy and sense of responsibility
• Ethical judgment and professionalism
• Student supervision and
  mentorship

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT Regular full-time position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Salary
will be commensurate with recognized experience and includes benefits in accordance with the Collective Agreement between
Université
Laval and SPUL.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Application deadline: May 10, 2026 Start date: July
  1, 2026, or
  no later than January 1, 2027.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter outlining the
  candidate’s
  interest in the Chair themes and proposed interdisciplinary approach;
• A curriculum vitae;
• A document
  (maximum two pages)
  presenting a proposed five-year research program for the Chair;
• One sample of publications or research
  work;
• Candidates
  selected for interviews will be required to submit three letters of reference.

All
applications will be treated in strict
confidence.  Application files must be sent by email to: Jonathan
Paquin Director Graduate School of International Studies Université
Laval recrutement.esei@ulaval.ca