Postdoctoral Students in Economics

Reference number: PAR 2026/385

About the University of Gothenburg

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

Doctoral Position Overview

Doctoral position in Peace and Development Research with Focus on Host-State Responses to Transnational Repression

Peace and Development Research at the University of Gothenburg is a leading site of interdisciplinary enquiry. The research environment consists of ca 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.

Peace & Development Research at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, announces a doctoral position with focus on host-state responses to transnational repression, broadly understood as attempts by authoritarian regimes to punish, deter, undermine, and silence activism in the diaspora. The doctoral project will be conducted within an international research project which examines transnational repression (TNR) and host state responses to it in the Nordic-Baltic region. Within this framework, the PhD student will contribute to a work package focusing on how norms related to TNR are translated into legal and policy responses in host states. Adopting a comparative perspective across two to three Nordic-Baltic countries (Sweden, Norway, and/or Estonia), the candidate may, for instance, study such dimensions as:

• The level of awareness among public officials working with law enforcement, border control, immigration, and/or cybersecurity
• State outreach to migrants and diasporas at risk
• Forms of collaboration between state authorities and civil society organizations
• Procedures for reporting incidents of TNR
• The investigation and prosecution of perpetrators
• And/or other topics relevant to TNR

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages:
https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

The purpose of undertaking doctoral studies is to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for conducting independent research within the field of Peace and Development Research. The doctoral studies comprise one year of coursework and three years of research, culminating in the production of a dissertation that makes a significant and original contribution to the research field. The knowledge and skills that are acquired during the studies should be applicable to postdoctoral research or other professional work. Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

The candidate is expected to work in Gothenburg in the project team and start with both course work and project related work during the first year. Start date no later than January 2027.

The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Additionally, the candidate shall have proficiency in relevant language(s) used in the candidate’s selected case countries.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20% of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

• having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
• the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
• the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad

An applicant meets the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies if they have obtained (Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40) at least 60 higher education credits in the field of International relations, Peace and conflict studies or Global development studies or another university education of equivalent depth and breadth. Applicants who have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad will also be considered to meet the specific entry requirements.

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:

• A research proposal (max 2,000 words including references) outlining purpose, aims, research questions, theory, methods, data, and timeline (Harvard referencing)
• A Master’s thesis, academic publications and/or other relevant works
• A CV summarizing education, experience, language proficiency, and skills
• Grades from undergraduate and postgraduate studies
• Interviews with shortlisted applicants

Decisions on the shortlist will be made in September and final decisions in October 2026.

The Head of Department makes all admission decisions at the third-cycle level. This decision cannot be appealed.

Admission and Employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

Employment is governed by ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment may apply for a maximum of one year, renewable by up to two years at a time.

Total doctoral employment may not exceed eight years, but active full-time study is equivalent to four years.

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note: doctoral studies at the School of Global Studies require physical presence. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education, the admission may be revoked if the permit is not presented at the start of studies.

Contact Information

• Dr. Arne F. Wackenhut, Associate Professor
  Email: arne.wackenhut@globalstudies.gu.se
• Dr. Sofie Hellberg, Associate Professor
  Email: sofie.hellberg@globalstudies.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:
https://www.gu.se/en/work-at-the-university-of-gothenburg/how-to-apply-for-a-position#collective-agreement-and-union-representatives

Application

Applications are submitted via the University of Gothenburg recruitment portal.

The application must include:

• A research proposal (max 2,000 words)
• A Master’s thesis and/or relevant academic works or publications (original language required if translated)
• A CV (Europass format recommended)
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts confirming eligibility
• Names and contact details of two references (no recommendation letters accepted)

Applications must be complete at submission. No changes or additions are allowed after the deadline.

Applications must be received by: 14 August 2026

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Information about Gothenburg and relocation support:

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 diversity.

Salaries are set individually.

Application documents are archived for two years according to Swedish regulations.

The University declines contact from recruitment agencies and staffing companies.

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com