PhD Position in Political Science, focus on representative democracy - 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 representative democracy. The start date for the position is October 1 2019 or by agreement.

This PhD position is part of one of the department’s five research profiles: Representative democracy and its challenges. The researchers within this profile focus on central representative institutions and actors in Sweden and Europe. One key issue is: How does representative democracy at the national and European levels meet the challenges of our time? The research profile offers many possible avenues of research. For example, thesis projects might focus on elections and the competition for government power at the national level. Critical issues for democracy in Sweden and the European Union (EU) is another possible focus, including aspects of parliamentary democracy and constitutional issues at both the national and European level.

The dissertation can be designed to use modern techniques in digital text analysis, and the doctoral student will work closely with researchers who are building an infrastructure for the study of democracy. In general, within the framework, the doctoral student will have ample scope to develop her or his own research questions and research design.

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 earned 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.  

Knowledge of quantitative methods is a merit, especially in combination with an explicit desire to further deepen these methodological skills.

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.