PhD student in Political Science

Ref. No. SU FV-4601-23

at the Department of Political Science . Closing date: 6 February 2024.

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 of Political Science announces one vacant position in the doctoral program. The Ph.D. position is fully funded for 4 years and positioned at the Department of Political Science. The planned entry date is September 1, 2024. 

Project description
The PhD position will be part of the research project Shaping the Digital Public Sphere: When and why do Democracies Regulate Social Media Platforms and with What Consequences? funded by the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation. For more information about the research project, see Shaping the Digital Public Sphere .

The PhD thesis project is expected to align with the research project’s main aims of studying why, how and under which conditions democratic states are regulating social media platforms and how this shapes what is published on these platforms. The research project relates to comparative politics, democracy studies and democratic theory and it makes use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods.

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 political science 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
• 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 doctoral studies. The criteria used to assess this ability are:

The applicant's ability to express themselves verbally and in writing in English, analytical thinking, creativity, initiative, and independence, as well as collaboration skills.

Previous experience of research in the fields of democracy studies, platform governance or comparative politics is advantageous.

The assessment is based on previous studies and grades, the quality of independent work, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the applicant's written motivation for the application.

Admission regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations and are specified further in the General Syllabus for PhD studies in Political Science, available at the department’s website.

Terms of employment
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 further information or details concerning the application procedure, please contact Application administrator, [email protected] , and Associate Professor Ludvig Norman (project leader) [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , [email protected]  (SEKO), and PhD student representative, [email protected] .

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 2–3 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 describing:
  – why you are interested in the project as described in this call and which research tasks within the project you are most interested in.
  – how you wish to address these research tasks in the context of your doctoral studies.
  – 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. You can read more about the English requirements at Stockholm University here: www.su.se/english/education/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/english-requirements-1.446798 .
• 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.

URL to this page
https://www.su.se/english/about-the-university/work-at-su/available-jobs/phd-student-positions-1.507588?rmpage=job&rmjob=22572&rmlang=UK