PhD Position in Political Science, focusing on human trafficking in Asia - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Political Science is recruiting a PhD Candidate to a position focusing on human trafficking in Asia. The start date for the position is August 12 2019, or by agreement.

The PhD position is a collaboration between the Department of Political Science, the Umeå University Industrial Doctoral School, and two non-profit organizations: Interact Asia and ERIKS development partner. The aim of the project is to explore local perceptions and experiences of human trafficking in Asia, thereby advancing knowledge about the local dynamics of human trafficking. This knowledge is important to push the research field forward, but also to more effectively prevent and reduce human trafficking. The affiliation with two organizations engaged in anti-trafficking work will give the PhD candidate unique opportunities to access and collect local data, enabling the project to analyze how anti-trafficking efforts are received locally, whether they are successful, and why.

Umeå University Industrial Doctoral School for research and innovation
The Industrial Doctoral School (IDS) is a multidisciplinary research school where the projects are based on collaborations between Umeå University and external organizations. The PhD students in IDS form an interdisciplinary group that, in addition to each scientific specialization, is given a tailor-made course package providing a solid basis for future work within research and development. A PhD position in IDS also includes a three-month internship at the external organizations for each doctoral student.

Employment
Employment as a doctoral student within the PhD program covers four years fulltime studies but can be prolonged with maximum one year for teaching or administrative duties. For more information on the PhD program, see:

https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-political-science/education/doctoral-studies/

The details about the employment will be decided together with the successful candidate.

The position is funded by the Industrial Doctoral School in collaboration with Interact Asia and ERIKS development partner.

Eligibility
Eligible to apply is anyone who has obtained a degree at advanced/masters level, fulfilled course requirements for at least 240 ECTS points, of which at least 60 ECTS points at advanced level and at least 90 ECTS points in peace and conflict studies or political science. Anyone who has otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad is also considered eligible to apply and to be evaluated for the position. This can include candidates with advanced degrees in other relevant disciplines than peace and conflict studies or political science.

Requirements
The applicants’ qualifications are assessed based on the ability to author a PhD dissertation and fulfill the courses of the PhD program; records of previous study results and the quality of the submitted writing samples and project plan.

The ability to complete the PhD program includes the applicant’s analytical skills, communicative skills (written and oral), critical skills, independence and ability to complete tasks within a given time frame. Very good command of English is a requirement. In addition, previous experience of multi-stakeholder collaborations and projects, suitability for the specific project, and documented ability to work in teams as well as individually are merits that will be taken into account. 

Application
Applications can only be submitted via our online application system Varbi. Click the button at the bottom of the page, log in and apply.

Only complete applications are considered and should include:

• A personal letter (1-2 pages)
• A project plan (3-5 pages) discussing potential research problem, purpose, theory and empirical cases and material.
• CV
• Certified transcripts of academic records and degrees
• 1-3 writing samples in Swedish or English, e.g. B.A. and/or master thesis and academic publications
• References or maximum two letters of recommendation
• Any additional qualifications

As the gender distribution in the PhD program is currently uneven, we welcome male applicants for the positions.

Salaries for doctoral student employment are set by local negotiations between the university and trade union counterparts. According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 12, Section 2), decisions on admissions cannot be appealed.

About the Department of Political Science
The Department of Political Science has about 60 employees. The Department conducts research, undergraduate education in political science and peace and conflict studies. For more information, see https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-political-science/. Formal requirements for the application can be found in the call for applications, but any further questions can be addressed to project leaders Elisabeth Olivius and Malin Eklund Wimelius, elisabeth.olivius@umu.se and malin.wimelius@umu.se. Questions regarding the position and the doctoral program can be addressed to the head of doctoral studies, Torbjörn Bergman,  torbjorn.bergman@umu.se, or head of department Magnus Blomgren, magnus.blomgren@umu.se. Questions about the Industrial Research School can be addressed to Anna Linusson Jonsson, anna.linusson@umu.se.

Please submit your application no later than 20 May 2019.