Frank Stanton Distinguished Visiting Chair
In 2025, with funding from the Stanton Foundation, the Hertie School established the Frank Stanton Distinguished Visiting Chair. The Chair honors Frank Stanton, former president of CBS, who was appointed by President Eisenhower to a committee tasked with developing the first comprehensive plan for the survival of the United States in the event of a nuclear attack. This chair seeks to carry forward his commitment to addressing these challenges in the United States and among its allies.
To occupy the Frank Stanton Chair, the Hertie School is seeking a distinguished scholar who has made (or has the potential to make) an important impact on our understanding of nuclear security – an umbrella term that includes nuclear war, nuclear terrorism, nuclear proliferation, nuclear weapons, nuclear force posture, and, as it relates to security, nuclear energy.
Eligibility
Scholars in fields of international security, including but not limited to political science, history, strategic studies, and law, are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have a research focus on non-US centric nuclear security topics. Individuals with a research agenda touching on nuclear deterrence, extended deterrence, public opinion and nuclear weapons, German nuclear history, French and British nuclear history and doctrines, and the integration of nuclear and conventional capabilities are particularly welcome to apply.
The contract comprises either a 6-month or 12-month stay at the Hertie School in Berlin. The term starts in September or February of each year respectively. The scholar will be expected to teach one seminar (max 25 students) per semester at the Hertie School. The preference is for a scholar at the full or associate professor level.
Stipend Information
The Chair will receive a €130,000 stipend (12-months) or €65,000 stipend (6-months), 25% of which can be used for non-research related expenses (e.g., housing).
Application requirements
Interested candidates should submit a letter of motivation (including a research budget), along with a curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two references.
Applications will only be accepted through Interfolio. No other method of application submission will be accepted. The deadline for the academic year 2026-2027 is 31 January 2026. Any questions can be directed to stanton[at]hertie-school[dot]org.
About the Stanton Foundation
The Stanton Foundation was created by Frank Stanton, former president of CBS, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest executives in the history of electronic communications. In 1954, Dwight Eisenhower appointed him to a committee convened to develop the first comprehensive plan for the survival of the U.S. following a nuclear attack. The Stanton Foundation aims, through its support of the Nuclear Security Fellows program, to perpetuate his efforts to meet these challenges.
