PROFESSOR

US-Defense-Security-Cooperation-Agenc; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

US Defense Security Cooperation Agency seeks an Associate Professor or Professor specializing in China Military Strategy and Future Warfare to join the Department of Strategic Deterrence. The successful candidate educates civilian and military security practitioners on China's military strategy, PLA modernization, and the changing nature of warfare in the Indo-Pacific.

The role emphasizes understanding the PLA within its political, strategic, and technological context and developing broader

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in international relations, security studies, political science, or related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Chinese military affairs, PLA modernization, deterrence, crisis management.
• Ability to teach, mentor, and conduct policy-relevant research for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Educate civilian and military security practitioners on China’s military strategy and deterrence.
• Develop curriculum, teach courses, and lead executive education programs.
• Engage with security professionals across the Indo-Pacific to advance cooperation.

Education

PhD in international relations or security studies

Job description

DKI APCSS seeks qualified candidates at the Associate Professor or Professor level specializing in China Military Strategy and Future Warfare to join the Department of Strategic Deterrence.

The successful candidate will educate civilian and military security practitioners on China's military strategy, People's Liberation Army (PLA) modernization, and the changing character of warfare and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The position focuses on how PLA strategy, force development, operational concepts, joint campaigning, and emerging technologies affect deterrence, crisis management, escalation, defense planning, and regional security.

The position requires particular depth of understanding of the PLA as a military institution and fighting force, while situating Chinese military developments within the broader political, strategic, and technological context of the Indo-Pacific. The successful candidate will help practitioners assess how evolving PLA capabilities and concepts shape the challenges of deterring aggression, managing crises, controlling escalation, and preparing for future warfare.

Candidates are not expected to enter the position with expertise across every element of this portfolio. DKI APCSS seeks individuals with demonstrated expertise in relevant areas and the intellectual ability and professional commitment to develop broader expertise in Chinese military affairs, strategic deterrence, crisis management, and future warfare.

Faculty members at DKI APCSS are expected to be more than subject‑matter experts. They serve as educators, facilitators, curriculum designers, action officers, researchers, mentors, and institutional leaders. Faculty plan and execute executive education courses, workshops, strategic dialogues, and regional engagements; develop and facilitate curriculum; conduct policy‑relevant research; and build relationships with security professionals throughout the Indo‑Pacific.

Essential Criteria

• An advanced degree in international relations, security studies, political science, strategic studies, military studies, China studies, Asian studies, public policy, or a related discipline. A doctorate or other terminal degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated substantive knowledge, research, or professional experience related to Chinese military affairs, PLA modernization, Chinese military strategy, strategic deterrence, crisis management, future warfare, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous research, analyze contemporary security issues, and produce scholarly or policy‑relevant work.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, facilitate, and mentor adult learners from diverse professional, national, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate complex military, strategic, political, and technological issues clearly to practitioner audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex projects or programs.
• Ability to work effectively as a collegial, collaborative, and team‑oriented faculty member.
• Ability to use contemporary technologies and digital tools in research, teaching, collaboration, and program execution.
• Demonstrated commitment to the DKI APCSS mission and to advancing security cooperation and understanding throughout the Indo‑Pacific.

Desired Criteria

• Demonstrated expertise, research, or professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
• People's Liberation Army strategy, doctrine, and modernization
• Chinese military strategy and operational concepts
• PLA joint campaigning and joint operations
• Chinese force development and defense modernization
• Deterrence and strategic stability
• Crisis management and escalation
• Military innovation and adaptation
• Future warfare
• Artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and human‑machine integration
• Space and cyber operations
• Advanced weapons and emerging military technologies
• Multi‑domain operations
• Taiwan Strait and First Island Chain security dynamics
• Chinese military activities and security relationships throughout the Indo‑Pacific

Additional desired experience includes:

• Ability to conduct research using Chinese‑language primary or secondary sources.
• Chinese‑language proficiency appropriate to the candidate's research or professional specialization.
• Research, professional, military, government, or field experience involving China or Indo‑Pacific defense and security affairs.
• Experience working with or studying defense ministries, military organizations, combatant commands, intelligence organizations, policy institutions, universities, or allied and partner governments.
• Experience in teaching, facilitation, executive education, strategic engagement, policy dialogue, exercises, or multinational workshops
• Experience building professional networks and fostering collaboration among individuals from diverse national, institutional, and professional backgrounds.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.