Postdoctoral researcher in Political Science

5 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Gothenburg

Research Field

Political sciences » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

24 Mar 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

1035--1-33552

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

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 position of Postdoctoral Researcher to the research project Rescuing Democracy from Political Corruption in Digital Societies (RESPOND), funded under the European Union’s program Horizon 2023. The position will primarily entail research on the issue of campaign finance and lobbying.

This is a fixed-termed position for 2 years, 100% of full-time

Subject area

Political science

Subject area description

Political Science is the study of politics, bureaucracy, and the functioning of the state.

Duties 

The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow will mainly conduct research within the framework of the program described below. The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop independence, and to further develop skills and qualifications as a researcher. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

The project will employ a range of methodological approaches but with an emphasis on the collection of data on campaign finance and party spending, as well as legal frameworks on these same issues. These data will be analyzed in conjunction with voting records of party members at the subnational, national and European levels, as well as public opinion data.

As a postdoctoral fellow, you are expected to conduct research in the field of political corruption in the European context. The project aims to examine the extent to which political parties comply with campaign finance laws, develop red flag indicators of donation practices to circumvent regulatory frameworks and of undue influence, and analyze patterns between party finance and incumbent behaviors. More specifically, the project aims to understand how campaign finance laws and practices affect candidate’s strategies and compromises, and then how candidates and parties behave once in office. The project also seeks to examine how the nature and implications of finance practices vary depending on contextual factors such as the specifics of electoral and party systems, whether parties hold primaries, the structure and functioning of the bureaucracy and of oversight mechanisms. The postdoc will be expected to engage in the collection, cleaning and management of large amounts of data related to campaign finance and spending, regional and local institutions, parties’ candidate selection procedures, voting records of elected officials, as well as public procurement, and use these data to answer research questions of societal and social science relevance. The postdoc will participate in all stages of the research process, including publishing academic articles and dissemination of findings to both academic and practitioner audiences. The work will take place in collaboration with Prof. Marcia Grimes at the Department of Political Science, and within a consortium led by Universita di Bologna (UNIBO).

Eligibility

A doctorate in political science is required 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 will be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years before the application date may be considered if there are special reasons.

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

Qualifications and Assessment

You must have a doctoral degree in political science or related discipline at the time the employment decision is made. We are looking for applicants with a proven record of knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the job assignment described above. These include:

• A good understanding of corruption risks in mature welfare states, evidenced by a track record of research on the matter;
• Knowledge of electoral and party systems, including at the subnational level in the European context;
• A good understanding of political recruitment and internal party processes in Western European democracies;
• Excellent skills and experience in the collection, compilation, cleaning and analysis large data sets, evidenced by experience in at least one completed project;
• Ability to conduct comprehensive analysis of corruption impact, evidenced by a track record of research on the matter;
• Skills in documenting research output publishable in reputable political science journals, evidenced by a writing sample or publication list;
• Excellent proficiency in academic English, knowledge of additional major European languages a merit.
• Proficiency in use of STATA and / or R

To be successful in this position, you must have attention to detail, good organizational skills, the ability to solve problems independently but also work in a team. You need to have excellent communication and collaboration skills.

The committee will weigh all relevant factors when selecting the applicant best suited to the position.

Employment 

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, 100% of full-time at the Department of Political Science. Starting date: June 1, 2024 or as per agreement.

For more information please visit The appointment Procedure, GU 2022/38

Contact information for the post 

If you have questions regarding the position, or details about the RESPOND project, please contact Marcia Grimes, [email protected]

If you have any questions regarding the employment procedure, please contact Helena Jensen, [email protected]

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. 

The application must be written in English as the application may be reviewed by English-speaking staff. The selection process may entail interviews and contacting references.

The application should include the following:

• A letter of application (max 3 pages), outlining how your research agenda can contribute to this project. Please address how your previous work and research output demonstrate the skills specified above.
• A CV (including list of publications)
• One writing sample
• A list of three references (with contact information) willing to submit letters of recommendation upon request

Applications must be received by: 2024-03-25

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.

Requirements

Research Field

Political sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Political sciences » Other

Years of Research Experience

4 - 10

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Gothenburg

Country

Sweden

City

Göteborg

Postal Code

40530

Street

Box 711

Where to apply

Website

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1035/main?site=7&validator=9b89bead79bb725…

Contact

City

Göteborg

Street

Box 711

Postal Code

40530

STATUS: EXPIRED