PhD Position in Global Studies (University of Gothenburg)

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future. The School of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg is a leading site of interdisciplinary enquiry. The peace and development research environment consists of about 50 researchers using a broad range of approaches to investigate various themes in peace and development in different regions of the world. These themes include, but are not limited to, conflicts, security, gender, human rights, global political economy, migration, regional and global governance, and resistance. General information on the Doctoral Network IDEoPOP Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), IDEoPOP explores how populism intersects with both domestic and international politics and how it impacts international politics. Under the guidance of some of the leading scholars in this area, a new generation of doctoral students will be trained in the study of the international dimensions and effects of populism. IDEoPOP offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral programme imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided jointly by seven academic partners, where PhD students are employed: University of Freiburg (Germany), Sciences Po Paris (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Bilkent University (Turkey), University of Genoa (Italy), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and University of Bath (UK). Moreover, doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic and policy-relevant solutions to the challenges posed by populism in international politics via temporary assignments to renowned think tanks. The comprehensive training in IDEoPOP will prepare doctoral candidates for careers in academia, think tanks, government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs dealing with issues of democracy and international cooperation. Information on the PhD-position Reference (IDEoPOP-doctoral candidate no.) DC3 Title of the project Populists in International and Regional Organizations: Engagement or Disengagement? Recruiting institution and place of work School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Expected Start date 1 March 2025 or as negotiated. Length of the project 48 months. Academic secondment 3 month-secondment to University of Freiburg, Germany, for research training and co-supervision. Non-academic secondment International Youth Think Tank/Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg (2 months). Main supervisor Professor Fredrik Söderbaum, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg. Co-supervisors Professor Sandra Destradi, University of Freiburg, and Associate Professor Kilian Spandler, Kiel University. Salary: Living allowance and Mobility allowance: 27.877 SEK (Swedish krona) per month living allowance (salary) and 3.923 SEK mobility allowance (household, relocation and travel expenses incurred during the action). Salary during year 1-3 is according to EU’s MSCA-DN criteria, whereas salary and benefits during year 4 follow the University’s local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. - Family allowance: 4.177 SEK per month (if applicable) during first 36 months. ‘Family’ means persons linked to the researcher by marriage (or a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized) or dependent children who are actually maintained by the researcher). Project Description: This dissertation analyzes why and how populist governments engage in or disengage from international and regional organizations. While it is a widespread belief in the scholarly community that populist governments undermine and withdraw from multilateral and regional institutions, recent research reveals a more complicated picture. Against this background, the dissertation will construct a framework for more fine-grained analysis of populist engagement and disengagement in IOs/ROs in different dimensions, which will enable the development of theoretical explanations. Previous research has often focused on individual instances of disengagement. To avoid such bias, the dissertation should rely either on a qualitative comparison of a limited number of cases (countries or organizations) or a quantitative ‘large-N’ design, or some combination of both. MSCA-eligibility criteria: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment (excluding short holidays). Moreover, applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree. Local eligibility criteria: According to Chapter 7, paragraph 39 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, applicants must have obtained a degree in the second-cycle (master’s level), completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired essentially equivalent knowledge either within or outside of Sweden. In addition, applicants must have completed at least 60 credits in peace and conflict research, international relations, global development studies, or an equivalent subject. Enrolment in local PhD-programme: The successful applicant will be enrolled in the PhD programme in Peace and Development Research, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg. Other skills: The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Documentation to be sent in by the applicant 1. Cover letter describing research motivation and research interests (maximum 500 words). The letter should also indicate if any other doctoral position advertised within IDEoPOP has been applied for, including order of preference. 2. CV. 3. A Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works (thesis plus max 3 other works). 4. Project proposal should be a maximum of 1,500 words (font size 12), excluding references (author-date referencing). 5. Copy of MA degree diploma(s) and academic transcripts with grades from completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Assessment criteria Applicants will be assessed based on the general and specific eligibility requirements and their estimated ability to benefit from the study programme. The assessment places particular focus on: The research proposal should describe how the candidate would approach the PhD topic (research problem and research questions, theoretical approach, proposed methods, focus of empirical analysis). It will be assessed based on the applicant’s ability to formulate an original research problem and his/her familiarity with and handling of methodological and theoretical issues. A Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works will be used to assess the applicant’s ability to formulate and delimit research problems and to analyse and present research results. A CV summarizing education, relevant work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant skills. Grades achieved in undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Interviews with shortlisted applicants. The applicant’s skills, experience, creativity, and excellence in research are also assessed based on the points above. The Head of Department makes all admission decisions at the third-cycle level. Decisions are expected in early 2025 and cannot be appealed. Deadline for application: 29 November, 2024 Contact: Professor Fredrik Söderbaum, fredrik.soderbaum@globalstudies.gu.se, +46 708 66 49 00. HR Administrator Sandra Lennerholt, sandra.lennerholt@gu.se, +46 31 786 32 32. The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations. In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed. In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The School of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg is a leading site of interdisciplinary enquiry. The peace and development research environment consists of about 50 researchers using a broad range of approaches to investigate various themes in peace and development in different regions of the world. These themes include, but are not limited to, conflicts, security, gender, human rights, global political economy, migration, regional and global governance, and resistance.

General information on the Doctoral Network IDEoPOP
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), IDEoPOP explores how populism intersects with both domestic and international politics and how it impacts international politics. Under the guidance of some of the leading scholars in this area, a new generation of doctoral students will be trained in the study of the international dimensions and effects of populism.
IDEoPOP offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral programme imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided jointly by seven academic partners, where PhD students are employed: University of Freiburg (Germany), Sciences Po Paris (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Bilkent University (Turkey), University of Genoa (Italy), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and University of Bath (UK). Moreover, doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic and policy-relevant solutions to the challenges posed by populism in international politics via temporary assignments to renowned think tanks.
The comprehensive training in IDEoPOP will prepare doctoral candidates for careers in academia, think tanks, government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs dealing with issues of democracy and international cooperation.

Information on the PhD-position

Reference (IDEoPOP-doctoral candidate no.)


DC3

Title of the project

Populists in International and Regional Organizations: Engagement or Disengagement?

Recruiting institution and place of work


School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Expected Start date


1 March 2025 or as negotiated.

Length of the project


48 months.

Academic secondment


3 month-secondment to University of Freiburg, Germany, for research training and co-supervision.

Non-academic secondment


International Youth Think Tank/Lindholmen Science Park in Gothenburg (2 months).

Main supervisor


Professor Fredrik Söderbaum, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.

Co-supervisors


Professor Sandra Destradi, University of Freiburg, and Associate Professor Kilian Spandler, Kiel University.

Salary: Living allowance and Mobility allowance: 27.877 SEK (Swedish krona) per month living allowance (salary) and 3.923 SEK mobility allowance (household, relocation and travel expenses incurred during the action). Salary during year 1-3 is according to EU’s MSCA-DN criteria, whereas salary and benefits during year 4 follow the University’s local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.
- Family allowance: 4.177 SEK per month (if applicable) during first 36 months. ‘Family’ means persons linked to the researcher by marriage (or a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country where this relationship was formalized) or dependent children who are actually maintained by the researcher).

Project Description: This dissertation analyzes why and how populist governments engage in or disengage from international and regional organizations. While it is a widespread belief in the scholarly community that populist governments undermine and withdraw from multilateral and regional institutions, recent research reveals a more complicated picture. Against this background, the dissertation will construct a framework for more fine-grained analysis of populist engagement and disengagement in IOs/ROs in different dimensions, which will enable the development of theoretical explanations. Previous research has often focused on individual instances of disengagement. To avoid such bias, the dissertation should rely either on a qualitative comparison of a limited number of cases (countries or organizations) or a quantitative ‘large-N’ design, or some combination of both.

MSCA-eligibility criteria: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment (excluding short holidays). Moreover, applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.

Local eligibility criteria: According to Chapter 7, paragraph 39 of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance, applicants must have obtained a degree in the second-cycle (master’s level), completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level, or in some other way acquired essentially equivalent knowledge either within or outside of Sweden. In addition, applicants must have completed at least 60 credits in peace and conflict research, international relations, global development studies, or an equivalent subject.

Enrolment in local PhD-programme: The successful applicant will be enrolled in the PhD programme in Peace and Development Research, School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg.

Other skills: The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Documentation to be sent in by the applicant
1. Cover letter describing research motivation and research interests (maximum 500 words). The letter should also indicate if any other doctoral position advertised within IDEoPOP has been applied for, including order of preference.
2. CV.
3. A Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works (thesis plus max 3 other works).
4. Project proposal should be a maximum of 1,500 words (font size 12), excluding references (author-date referencing).
5. Copy of MA degree diploma(s) and academic transcripts with grades from completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Assessment criteria
Applicants will be assessed based on the general and specific eligibility requirements and their estimated ability to benefit from the study programme. The assessment places particular focus on:

    The research proposal should describe how the candidate would approach the PhD topic (research problem and research questions, theoretical approach, proposed methods, focus of empirical analysis). It will be assessed based on the applicant’s ability to formulate an original research problem and his/her familiarity with and handling of methodological and theoretical issues.
    A Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works will be used to assess the applicant’s ability to formulate and delimit research problems and to analyse and present research results.
    A CV summarizing education, relevant work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant skills.
    Grades achieved in undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
    Interviews with shortlisted applicants.

The applicant’s skills, experience, creativity, and excellence in research are also assessed based on the points above.
The Head of Department makes all admission decisions at the third-cycle level. Decisions are expected in early 2025 and cannot be appealed.

Deadline for application: 29 November, 2024

Contact: Professor Fredrik Söderbaum, fredrik.soderbaum@globalstudies.gu.se, +46 708 66 49 00.

HR Administrator Sandra Lennerholt, sandra.lennerholt@gu.se, +46 31 786 32 32.

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.