Ph.D. Student Position in Political Science with orientation towards Climate Change and International Cooperation

The Department of Political Science is a dynamic and strong education- and research department at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Stockholm University. The Department aims to be nationally leading and internationally prominent within its field of research and education.

The Department announces one vacant position in the doctoral program with an orientation towards Climate Change and International Cooperation. The PhD position is fully funded for 4 years and is co-funded by the research program Mistra Geopolitics, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), and the Department of Political Science, Stockholm University. The position is placed at the Department of Political Science. The planned entry date is 1 February 2021.

Project description
The PhD position will be part of a research project “Anticipating the future: humanitarian aid in a changing climate”. The PhD thesis project is designed individually but it is expected to align with the project’s main aim to analyze how supranational and non-state actor in the field of humanitarian aid relate to as well as incorporate current and anticipated climate-related security risks.

We are particularly interested in candidates with demonstrated skills in comparative and qualitative methods. The candidate must have demonstrated excellent skills in academic written English. Particular weight in the assessment will be placed on previous experience working with climate and environmental challenges in relation to security.

The project is part of the research program Mistra Geopolitics which is a consortium between six universities and research institutes in Sweden. The program aims to deepens the analysis of geopolitical challenges and opportunities in relation to global environmental change, sustainable social change and transformative technologies (for more information, please see: mistra-geopolitics.se). Researchers within the program actively participate in public debates, and accepted PhD students are expected to the interested in research communication and collaboration with society.

The Ph.D. student will be part of the Mistra Geopolitics Research School which is hosted by the Department of Political Science (for more information, please see: www.statsvet.su.se/forskning/politik-och-lärande-om-miljö/projekt/mistra-geopolitics-research-school).

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the general syllabus for doctoral studies in Political Science at Stockholm University, the applicant must have:

• completed higher education equivalent to 150 Swedish university credits, including studies at the advanced level (master’s level) of at least 60 Swedish university credits in the politicalscience subject, or the equivalent education,
• a completed written academic, independent work with a least the grade ’pass’, equivalent to at least 15 Swedish university credits in the political science subject, or an equivalent subject
• completed additional 90 Swedish university credits, or the equivalent, of higher education in subjects relevant to the graduate programme, and
• proficiency in English corresponding to at least 550 credits on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Understanding Swedish is not a requirement at the time of admission. The applicant should, however, be prepared within a couple of years to carry out teaching and administrative tasks that require knowledge and usage of the Swedish language.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection is based on the applicant’s ability to successfully pursue the research education. Selection criteria and admission regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/english/education#Admissions and are specified further in the General Syllabus for PhD studies in Political Science, available at the department’s website (www.statsvet.su.se/english/).

Terms of study funding
During the first 6 to 12 months, the admitted PhD student will normally be funded by a tax-free scholarship. After that period of time, we provide taxable scholarships.

Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information, please contact Application administrator Christian Antoni Möllerop, telephone: +46 8 16 30 94, antagning.forskarutbildning@statsvet.su.se, or Associate Professor Niklas Bremberg (project leader), niklas.bremberg@statsvet.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter – describe briefly who you are and why you are motivated to become a PhD candidate in political science
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:

– which research task you want to pursue within the position

– why and how you wish to address this research task

– what makes you suitable for the project in question

• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Certificate in English corresponding to at least 550 credits on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This criterion does not apply for students who have completed their education at a Swedish university, where English proficiency is a general eligibility requirement
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.