Postdoctoral Position 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 open and socially engaged institution, in the middle of the city and at the centre of the debate. Our research revolves around elections, democracy, corruption, forms of government, globalization, the environment and politics, and European politics. The department hosts research programs such as the Center for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS), Quality of Government (QoG), Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Governance and Local Development (GLD) and the Swedish Electoral Research Program. We offer education at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. Teaching is offered in both Swedish and English. In total, about 1,400 people study with us. The Department of Political Science has around 180 employees. For more information about the Department, please visit our website, https://www.gu.se/en/political-science. 

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. For more information on the structure of our PhD program and on the work assignments of doctoral students, please see our website.  

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. 

Eligibility   

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):   

1. a degree at the second-cycle level (MA level, or equivalent), 
2. at least 240 higher education (university) credits, of which at least 60 must be at the second-cycle level, or 
3. equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad. In Sweden, 240 university credits correspond to four years of completed full-time studies. 

According to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40, and the General Syllabus for Third-Cycle Studies in Political Science, U2018/719, 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: 

1. 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.
2. 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).
3. Academic transcripts.
4. Previous merits.
5. The selection process includes interviews.
6. We may ask applicants to provide letters of recommendations at a later stage in the process.

 In special cases, admission to the PhD program may be granted within a framework where the University of Gothenburg does not serve as employer (external position, so-called samverkansdoktorand). The assessment process for these applicants is the same as for other applicants. A special agreement will be developed in these cases.

Employment

Doctoral studies at the Department of Political Science requires physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for researcher 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. 

Appointment procedure 

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

Kristina Gurok, Programme Coordinator
Email: kristina.gurok@gu.se
Phone: +46 31 786 5855

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg: http://www.gu.se/english/about_the_university/job-opportunities/union-representatives 

Application

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

1. 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 the doctoral studies program is of interest to you.

2. CV including a list of publications (if applicable).
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. A description of the intended research project indicating the applicant’s research interests and planned focus area of his/her thesis and research. The project description must demonstrate familiarity with previous and current research as well as an ability to formulate scientific problems. 2.500 words maximum (approx. 6 pages) including abstract, excluding bibliography. Further instructions can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/political-science/doctoral-studies/open-for-application-doctoral-studentship-positions.
   
   
6. 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. For degree transcripts from universities within the EU, please provide a diploma supplement. Please note that you need to provide transcripts for your previous studies at both the bachelor and master levels.
   
   
7. 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. However, it may be a good idea to get in touch with two persons who could write a recommendation letter for you and ask them to prepare to submit the letters following the instructions. Instructions with regards to format and content can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/political-science/doctoral-studies/open-for-applicationdoctoral-studentship-positions.

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.

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.