ISSI Jobs 2026 — Director China Pakistan Study Centre (BPS-20)

ISSI Jobs 2026 have been advertised by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad for the post of Director, China Pakistan Study Centre, a single regular appointment in BPS-20. The vacancy was published on the National Jobs Portal on 17 August 2026 and is open to senior researchers and policy specialists rather than entry-level applicants.

The advertisement asks for a Ph.D. in International Relations, Development Studies, Economics or Political Science, or a comparable discipline, along with more than ten years of experience in a university, think tank, research or policy environment. Candidates must also show a minimum of five publications in journals recognised by the Higher Education Commission. Applications are submitted online through the National Jobs Portal, and the closing date given in the listing is 31 August 2026.

The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad is one of Pakistan’s long-standing research organisations working on foreign policy, security and regional affairs. As context, the institute itself is based in Islamabad, although the advertisement does not name a duty station for this particular post. Its China Pakistan Study Centre focuses on the relationship between Pakistan and China, covering economic cooperation, connectivity, regional diplomacy and the wider debate around China’s role in Asia. The Director of that centre leads its research agenda, supervises publications and represents the centre in academic and policy forums, which is why the advertisement sets the bar at doctoral level with a substantial publication record.

This advertisement matters because senior think tank vacancies in Pakistan are rarely opened through a public portal. Most research leadership positions are filled through internal promotion or invitation, so an openly advertised BPS-20 directorship gives academics, university faculty and policy researchers a direct route to apply. The listing also signals a preference rather than a hard requirement: expertise on China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or Central Asia will strengthen an application. The maximum age is 50 years, and the advertisement states that this figure already includes the general five-year age relaxation, so candidates should not expect a further concession on top of it.

Vacancy Details

Eligibility Criteria

• Ph.D. in International Relations, Development Studies, Economics or Political Science, or in a discipline comparable to these.
• More than ten years of professional experience in a university, think tank, research organisation or policy institution.
• A minimum of five research publications in journals recognised by the Higher Education Commission.
• Demonstrated expertise on China, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation or Central Asia is preferred, though it is listed as a preference and not an absolute condition.
• Maximum age 50 years, stated in the advertisement as inclusive of the five-year general age relaxation.
• Suitability for a regular appointment in BPS-20, with the research leadership responsibilities that a centre directorship carries.
• Duty station is not specified in the advertisement, so candidates should confirm it with the institute.

How to Apply

1. Open the official listing at https://www.njp.gov.pk/jobs/9602 and read the advertisement in full before starting.
2. Register on the National Jobs Portal, or sign in to your existing account, and complete your profile accurately.
3. Enter your academic record, including the Ph.D. awarding institution and year, and your full employment history with dates.
4. List your publications with journal names and years so the required minimum of five HEC-recognised publications is clearly visible to the selection committee.
5. Attach scanned copies of your degrees, experience certificates and CNIC where the portal requests them.
6. Submit the application online before 31 August 2026 and keep the portal confirmation as proof of submission.

Important Notes

• This advertisement is verifiable on the National Jobs Portal. At the time of writing, the ISSI website was showing a maintenance notice, so candidates should rely on the NJP listing at njp.gov.pk for the authentic text and dates.
• The closing date is 31 August 2026, and the advertisement was published on 17 August 2026, which leaves a short application window.
• No rupee salary figure appears in the advertisement; pay is described only as BPS-20.
• The advertisement does not state a duty station, so applicants should not assume the posting city even though the institute is based in Islamabad.
• ISSI conducts this recruitment through the official portal and uses no agents. Never pay any person, consultancy or agency that claims it can guarantee this or any other government job.
• Only shortlisted candidates are normally called for interview, and the listing does not mention any travelling allowance.

What is the last date to apply for ISSI Jobs 2026?

The closing date shown on the official National Jobs Portal listing is 31 August 2026. The advertisement was published on 17 August 2026, so applicants have roughly two weeks to prepare documents and complete the online form.

Is a Ph.D. compulsory for the Director CPSC post?

Yes. The advertisement requires a Ph.D. in International Relations, Development Studies, Economics or Political Science, or in a comparable discipline. A master’s degree alone does not meet the stated requirement for this BPS-20 post.

How many publications are required for this ISSI vacancy?

At least five publications in journals recognised by the Higher Education Commission. Candidates should list them clearly in the portal application, with journal titles and publication years, so the requirement can be verified without follow-up.

Where is the duty station for this post?

The advertisement does not specify a duty station, so the honest answer is that the location is not specified in the official advertisement. The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad is itself based in Islamabad, but candidates who need certainty about the posting should ask the institute directly before accepting an offer.

Note: Candidates are advised to confirm every detail on the official advertisement before applying. Keep visiting futurerozgar.com for daily updates on government and private sector jobs across Pakistan.

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