Traineeships within the Centre for Security and Defence Studies
We thank you for your interest in the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID). We regularly offer the opportunity to complete a traineeship within the Centre for Security and Defence Studies (CSDS).
The CSDS offers an exchange platform between security and defence experts and civil society, in particular by organising conferences and colloquia, but also by offering traineeships. The traineeship objectives and terms, the required profile and the practical details for the application are explained below.
Objectives of the traineeship
The trainee conducts research on security and defence issues.
The subject-matter and the issue of the research are determined by mutual agreement between the trainee and the director of the CSDS: on the one hand, this research must be in line with the objectives/projects specified in the CSDS’ annual research programme and, on the other hand, it takes into account the trainee’s personal areas of interest as well as the possible wishes of the university coordinator in the case of a student completing an accredited traineeship (ECTS).
The trainee’s research must result into the writing of a document of maximum 40 pages that the CSDS could eventually publish in the Focus Papers series.
The trainee could also be asked for the preparation and organisation of one or several conferences and colloquia of the CSDS.
The traineeship offers the trainee the opportunity:
to deepen and broaden his/her academic knowledge in the area of political sciences and international relations linked to security and defence issues;
to further develop his/her research skills through the use of models and theories;
to further develop his/her editorial skills;
to develop his/her public relations skills (networking).
Required profile
The trainee must hold a master’s degree or be a last-year student of a master in Political Sciences or International Relations;
Have a keen interest in security and defence issues;
Be able to formulate research questions, as well as to look for, gather and interpret information;
Have editorial skills in one of the RHID’s working languages: English, Dutch or French.
Practical details of the traineeship
The traineeship length is minimum three months and maximum six months, and can take place whether during the first or the second half-year. No traineeship is planned during the months of July or August;
The traineeship contract, mentioning the terms and conditions, is drawn up by the director of the CSDS. If the trainee is a last-year master student, a traineeship document completing the contract can also be attached to it by the university coordinator;
One of the CSDS’ researchers will coach the trainee for the duration of the traineeship;
There is no financial compensation for the trainee. However, he/she can use the military premises (sport halls, catering facilities, etc.) and the necessary office material is put at the trainee’s disposal. There is no possibility for accommodation for the trainee.
How to apply?
The traineeship vacancies are published on our web site. Please note that spontaneous applications are not accepted and will therefore not be treated.
Trainees’ publications
Le Brésil : un acteur pertinent en Afrique ? Le projet de la Zone de paix et de coopération de l’Atlantique Sud (ZOPACAS) : de l’émergence au déclin, Anaïs GEUDENS, Focus Paper 40, July 2019
Le « retour » de la Russie en Afrique subsaharienne : sécurité et défense au service de la politique étrangère de Vladimir Poutine, Amandine DUSOULIER, Focus Paper 39, July 2019
Présences chinoise et russe en Afrique : différences, convergences, conséquences, Eleftheris VIGNE, Focus Paper 37, July 2018
Russia-EU Relations: An Era of Sanction Policy and International (Dis)order, Maarten TOELEN, Focus Paper 36, January 2017
Defending Europe: Dual-Use Technologies and Drone Development in the European Union, Raluca CSERNATONI, Focus Paper 35, September 2016
La viabilité des frontières africaines au regard des revendications d’ordre identitaire. Les exemples de Bakassi et de l’Azawad, Déborah GUIDEZ, Focus Paper 34, October 2015
Les Kurdes d’Irak, grands gagnants de la guerre contre l’Etat islamique ? Une analyse à moyen terme, Gauthier Wéry, Focus Paper 33, August 2015
Contact the Study Centre: cesd-scvd@mil.be