4–5 PhD

4–5 PhD (Doctoral Student) Positions in Political Science

Reference number PAR 2024/997

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 Department of Political Science is currently looking for up to five qualified and motivated individuals for positions as doctoral students in Political Science.

Job Assignments

A doctoral student conducts research and contributes to the development of knowledge within the discipline. Doctoral students are expected to develop ideas independently and to communicate research findings orally and in writing.

The aim of a doctoral studentship is to help the student acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research independently within political science and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline by writing a dissertation. Another aim is for doctoral students to develop the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in post-doctoral research or in other professional roles.

The position is limited to four years in duration and is carried out on a full-time basis unless there are acceptable reasons for working part-time (minimum 50 percent). The position may include departmental duties, such as teaching, corresponding to up to 20 percent of a full-time position over the course of study. If a student carries out such tasks, the maximum period of employment will be extended accordingly.

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for the position, the applicant must meet both general and specific entry requirements.

The general entry requirements for third-cycle (PhD) studies are (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.39):

- a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent),
- at least 240 higher education (university) credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level, or
- equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40, an applicant meets the specific entry requirements if he/she has obtained at least 60 higher education credits (one year of full-time studies) in Political Science or has equivalent qualifications.

Assessment of Applicants

Applicants will be assessed based on their ability to benefit from the study program and on the Department’s resources for supervision. We will primarily base this assessment on the following:

- A working sample, which will be assessed in terms of ability to formulate, delimit, and analyze a research problem and to present novel research findings.
- A statement concerning the intended research project laying out the applicant’s research interests and describing the intended topic of the doctoral thesis. The statement must demonstrate familiarity with previous and current research and an ability to formulate scientific problems. Maximum 2,500 words (approx. 6 pages).
- Academic transcripts.
- Previous merits.
- The selection process includes interviews.
- We may ask applicants to provide letters of recommendations at a later stage in the process.

Employment

Doctoral studies at the Department of Political Science requires physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department of Political Science has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

After being admitted to the PhD program, you will be offered employment as a doctoral student (doktorandanställning) at the University of Gothenburg.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance, chapter 5. The initial appointment applies for no more than one year. The appointment may then be renewed for no more than two years at a time. A person may be employed as a doctoral student for a total of eight years. However, the total employment period may not exceed the time corresponding to full-time third cycle study for four years.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time
Extent: 100% (full-time)
Placement: Department of Political Science, Gothenburg
Starting date: 2025-09-01

Salaries for doctoral students are regulated in a local agreement at the University.

All applications will be screened by an admission committee led by the Director of Studies for the PhD Program. The formal decision on admission is taken by the Head of Department. The final admission decision will be announced during the month of April. The decision cannot be appealed.

Contact Information

Please register your application electronically under ‘Apply online’. All applications should be written in English. For the application to be considered, it must include:

- An introductory letter of 1,000 words maximum (approx. 2 pages), preferably shorter. The letter should consist of four paragraphs in the following order:
a short presentation of yourself,
a short presentation of your qualifications,
a short presentation of the intended research project, and
a short statement concerning why the Department of Political Science and its doctoral studies program is of interest to you.
- CV including a list of publications (if applicable).
- One writing sample. Normally, this would be a master’s thesis, but it could also be a revised version of the thesis, or another paper, article or book chapter for example, or equivalent work. The writing sample must be submitted in Swedish or English. Any translated versions must be accompanied by the original text and translated in their entirety.
- Verified copies of academic transcripts and evidence of other relevant qualifications, if applicable. Please note that you need to submit detailed academic transcripts that specify your finished courses, credits and degrees. If English is not the original language, you need to submit both the original and an English translation.
- Applicants may be asked to provide recommendation letters later in the process. Please do not submit any recommendation letters before we contact you and explicitly ask for them.

It is up to the applicant to make sure that the application is complete. No changes or additions are allowed after the last date of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. All electronic documents must be submitted in PDF format.

Closing date: 30 January 2025.

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

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