Science-Policy Visiting Fellow - Emerging tech and verification processes (BWC/UNODA/UNIDIR)

About UN University (UNU)

The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization within the United Nations System. UNU engages in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination in furtherance of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The work of UNU contributes to solving pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research on sustainability, human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers working at institutes in 12 countries, UNU's expertise spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu

About UN University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR)

United Nations University Centre for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) is one of 13 research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. UNU-CPR headquarters are in New York. The Centre prioritizes urgent policy needs requiring innovative, practical solutions oriented toward immediate implementation and sustainability over the long term.

In June 2022, UNU-CPR established an office in Geneva, with the generous support of the Government of Switzerland, to help expand the Centre's support across the UN system, collaborate with the full range of policy actors in International Geneva, and help bridge the policy ecosystems in Geneva and New York. As the Research Lead for the Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board, UNU-CPR collaborates with scientific leaders in the UN system and cutting-edge scientists around the world.

More information about its work is available here: https://unu.edu/cpr

About the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI)

The Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) is an independent platform with the mission to foster and promote science-informed policymaking, by leveraging its unique position in the heart of Geneva as a hub of international cooperation. Nested within a world-class university, the GSPI addresses some of the key barriers to effective engagement between scientific institutions and international policy professionals. Founded in 2018 by the University of Geneva with the joint support of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the GSPI is backed by leading research institutions and key multilateral partners.

About the Role

Note: eligibility for this position is limited to candidates from the Global South.

This Science-Policy Visiting Fellowship is part of a joint initiative between UNU-CPR and the Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) to strengthen the science-policy interface in Geneva, connecting scientists, research institutions, and private sector actors to the diplomatic community. The project was launched in 2025, with a series of science-policy briefings.

In 2026-2027, UNU-CPR and GSPI offer opportunities for greater Global South engagement in the research and policy processes in International Geneva by hosting two Visiting Fellows from the Global South to work on research projects at the intersection of science and policy.

Two projects were identified in discussions with actors from the Geneva UN ecosystem.

The present Science-Policy Visiting Fellowship will support one of these projects: "Exploratory research on emerging technologies and biorisk monitoring with the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)."

The BWC prohibits the development, production, and stockpiling of biological weapons. The Convention is currently undergoing discussions in the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention, where States Parties are considering measures and institutional arrangements to strengthen the Convention, including possible mechanisms on science and technology, international cooperation and assistance, and a potential Open-Ended Working Group on compliance and verification.

At the same time, advances in emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence, synthetic biology, advanced sensing, data analytics, quantum technologies, and distributed systems such as blockchain) are reshaping both the biological risk landscape and the technical possibilities for monitoring relevant activities.

This fellowship would focus on exploring how such technologies could contribute to compliance and verification in the BWC context, while bringing Global South perspectives on biosecurity governance.

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UNU-CPR and GSPI value collaborative, entrepreneurial researchers who are comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders across the diplomatic, scientific, and NGO communities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that this is a full-time position based in Geneva requiring a minimum number of days in the office and availability for in-person meetings. Work from a remote location is not possible. UNU-CPR and GSPI will support visa application and travel costs.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Office, UNU-CPR Geneva, the Visiting Fellow will have the following responsibilities:

1. Research and Analysis

• Develop an analytical, policy-relevant report on how emerging technologies (including but not limited to AI, synthetic biology, advanced sensing, and distributed systems) could contribute to compliance and verification in the context of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC).
• Identify emerging technologies relevant to compliance and verification (e.g. AI, synthetic biology, advanced sensing).
• Assess the opportunities, limitations, and risks of applying these technologies across verification functions (e.g. detection, monitoring, attribution), including technical, political, and ethical dimensions.
• Review and assess findings from previous research efforts in this domain, in the academic and policy domains (e.g. VEREX Committee), in light of current technological developments
• Formulate concrete and forward-looking policy recommendations, including potential technical tools and methodologies that could support future-verification-related approaches

2. Science-Policy Engagement

• Engage directly with disarmament actors in Geneva, including UNODA, UNIDIR, and the BWC Working Group processes, providing targeted briefings and presentations to inform ongoing discussions on the strengthening of the Convention.
• Organize and facilitate 1–2 workshops bringing together scientific experts, diplomats, and civil society actors to present and refine their research findings, engaging with Geneva's broader science-policy community in the process.
• Attend other workshops and events as appropriate

3. Knowledge Development

• Develop a relevant academic article building on the fellowship research
• Contribute to internal knowledge-sharing and collaborative activities within UNU-CPR and GSPI
• Support the evolution of the Visiting Fellowship programme as part of the inaugural cohort

4. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key performance indicators

• Timely delivery of a high-quality analytical report on emerging technologies and BWC verification
• Quality, relevance, and uptake of policy recommendations and briefings in BWC Working Group discussions
• Effectiveness of stakeholder engagement, including workshops and interactions with Geneva-based actors
• Strength of collaboration with UN entities, scientific experts, and policy stakeholders
• Contribution to science–policy dialogue and knowledge outputs(including academic publication)

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways