Umeå University, Faculty of Social Sciences

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Department of Political Science is recruiting a PhD Candidate for a position focusing on political parties in democratic challenges.

The start date for the position is October 1 2019 or by agreement.

Political parties are key actors in democratic states. The challenges that parties face is a topic that unites researchers within several of the department's research profiles, which opens up many research avenues. For example, thesis projects can be designed to focus on the national, regional or municipal levels, or on parties as organizations and shapers of opinion and policy. The study of the role of political parties in unstable democracies or parties as actors who recruit and nominate candidates for political office are also possible research topics. The role and future of political parties are also central issues in the EU; thus relevant dissertation topics might address questions about how parties handle the multi-level governance at the municipal, regional, national and EU level.

Employment

Employment as a doctoral student in the PhD program covers four years of full-time studies. This can be extended by a maximum of one year to compensate for time spent teaching or carrying out administrative duties. Details about employment will be decided together with the successful candidate.

For more information on the PhD program, see: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-political-science/education/doctoral-studies/

The position is funded by the Department of Political Science. The place of employment is Umeå and teaching and administrative duties are located on campus. Active and sustained participation in the department’s activities and local research milieu is expected.

Eligibility

Persons who have obtained a degree at the advanced level, fulfilled course requirements for at least 240 ECTS points, of which at least 60 ECTS points are at the advanced level and at least 90 ECTS points are in peace and conflict studies or political science are eligible to apply. Persons who have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge, in Sweden or abroad, are also considered eligible to apply.

Requirements

Applicants’ qualifications are assessed in terms of their ability to complete a PhD dissertation and fulfil the course requirements of the PhD program. The evaluation includes a review of the applicant’s previous academic performance and the quality of submitted writing samples and project plan.

The evaluation of the ability to complete the PhD program also includes evaluating the applicant’s analytical skills, communicative skills (written and oral), critical skills, independence and ability to complete tasks within a given time frame. A very good command of English is a requirement.

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 will be 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. thesis, master’s thesis, 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 position.

Salaries for doctoral students are set by negotiations between the university and its trade union counterparts. The current entry-level salary for PhD students is 27 200 SEK/Month.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen 12 kap 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 and offers 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.

Additional questions 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.

Please submit your application no later than August 9, 2019. 

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment October 1 2019
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-608-19
Contact
  • Magnus Blomgren, magnus.blomgren@umu.se, +4690-786 61 71
  • Torbjörn Bergman, torbjorn.bergman@umu.se, +4690-786 76 17
Union representative
  • SACO, +4690-786 53 65
  • ST, +4690-786 54 31
  • SEKO, +4690-786 52 96
Published 02.May.2019
Last application date 09.Aug.2019 11:59 PM CEST

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