Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science

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 an international academic environment, welcoming students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research focuses on, among other things, elections, public opinion and democracy, political institutions, and international and European politics. We also conduct studies on environmental policy, corruption, and political ideas and organize research seminars and workshops across all these areas. We provide courses at all levels, in both Swedish and English. According to ShanghaiRanking’s 2023 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, the Department of Political Science is the best in Sweden, ranked 5th in Europe, and 16th in the world. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have around 180 employees.

For more information about the Department, visit our website www.pol.gu.se.

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a post-doctoral fellow, to conduct research within INTRAPARTY project (PI: Ann-Kristin Kölln), funded by an ERC Starting Grant. This is a 2-year position, 100% of full-time.

The research project

The INTRAPARTY project seeks to understand how and when intra-party factions can have positive effects on parties’ electoral performance. The project is theoretically ambitious and seeks to develop a comprehensive understanding of how factions affect voters’ behaviour and how variation across factions and party systems in Western Europe interacts with voters’ party evaluations. The project’s central hypothesis is that factions can have positive effects on a party’s electoral performance by creating representational and reputational ties to voters.

Methodologically, the project seeks to develop cutting-edge research designs with the aim of opening the “black box of intra-party politics.” Drawing on factions’ revealed (internal party documents) and stated preferences (surveys), the project will first identify and measure factional structures and their influence strategies (surveys) before studying voters’ reactions to them (experimentally and in the real world) across Western Europe. A more detailed project description is available upon request.

Subject area

Political science

Subject area description

Political Science is the study of politics.

Duties 

The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher after completing their doctoral degree and to create the conditions for further qualifications. The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow must mainly conduct research. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

The postdoctoral fellow will be employed at the Political Science Department as part of the INTRAPARTY research group and is expected to engage in collaborative research with Ann-Kristin Kölln and the other members of the group. The postdocs’ efforts will be important to ensuring the success of the project. We expect the successful candidate to conduct novel research that identifies and measures factions’ influence strategies. Specifically, the position involves drawing up a sampling plan and questionnaire for comparative cross-country surveys, analysing the data, and (co-)authoring studies resulting from this data collection effort. Moreover, as part of the INTRAPARTY research group, the postdoc is expected to provide support for project-related research and organization. We thus expect the postdoc to take a leading role in the second work package of the project, to conduct high-quality research within the context of INTRAPARTY, and to contribute to publications in top outlets. A summary of work package two is available upon request.

Successful applicants will become part of a cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and the exciting broader research environment of the Party Research Program and the Gothenburg Research Group on Elections, Public Opinion and Political Behavior (GEPOP). There will be excellent opportunities for intellectual development and mentoring as well as for developing an independent research agenda within the overall context of the project. The project offers funding for conferences, additional training, data collection, and opportunities for developing a strong academic network.

Eligibility

Eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral fellow is someone who has a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years before the end of the application period should be considered. Even those who have completed their degree previously can be considered if there are special reasons.

For more information regarding eligibility please visit The appointment procedure GU 2022/38

Assessment

Applicants are expected to hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in political science, political sociology, or another field relevant to the project. You must have a doctoral degree at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. We expect the successful candidate to have a specialization in political parties and/or political representation. Additional expertise in interest groups, lobbying, and/or social movement research will be an asset.

In addition to a keen interest in conducting collaborative research in the INTRAPARTY project, applicants must demonstrate ambition and ability to produce high-quality and high-impact research, both independently and in a team. They need to have an ability to work constructively and effectively as part of an international research team.

Moreover, we expect applicants to have excellent skills in quantitative methods (using R or Stata), survey design and analysis, and causal inference. We prefer applicants with a strong interest in developing creative methodological solutions and who have ambition and willingness to acquire new methodological skills. Applicants are expected to have an excellent command of spoken and written English. Proficiency in German and/or Dutch will be an asset.

To be successful in this position, you must have an eye for detail, good organizational skills and be able to solve problems. You need to have excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability for the position. We will make an overall assessment and the applicant who is considered to be best qualified to carry out and develop the tasks described above will be appointed to the position.

Employment 

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, 100% of full-time at the Department of Political Science. Starting date: 1^st January 2025 or as agreed. 

Contact information for the post 

If you have questions regarding the employment, or details about the projects in which this position is organized, please contact Ann-Kristin Kölln, ann-kristin.kolln@gu.se

If you have any questions regarding the employment procedure, please contact Helena Jensen, helena.jensen@gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande 

Application 

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

We kindly ask you to write your application in English as the application may be reviewed by English-speaking staff. In the selection process, it will likely be relevant with interviews, reference taking and work tests in English.

The application should include the following:

• A letter of application, in which applicants should motivate why they are interested in being part of INTRAPARTY and how they can contribute to the success of the project (maximally 2 pages). It should clearly show the ways in which the applicant meets the requirements specified above.
• A CV (including list of publications)
• An outline of potential ideas for research relevant to the focus of the project (maximally 2-3 pages, excluding references)
• One writing sample of typical article length
• A list of at least three references (with contact information) from whom letters of recommendation can be solicited at the interview stage

Applications must be received by: 2024-10-31

Interviews are scheduled to take place in mid-November 2024.

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

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

Salaries are set individually at the University.

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.