PhD student in Political Science with orientation towards Global Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development
at the Department of Political Science. Closing date: 6 February 2021.
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. Environmental Politics, Policy and Learning (EPPLE) is a leading research area at the Department (www.statsvet.su.se/english/research/environmental-politics-policy-and-learning). Environmental Research in the Human Science (www.su.se/hvmf/) is cross-faculty research initiative in the academic area of human science.
The Department announces one vacant position in the doctoral program with an orientation towards Global Environmental Politics and Sustainable Development. The PhD position is fully funded for 4 years and placed at the Department of Political Science. The planned entry date is September 1, 2021.
Project description
The PhD position will be part of a 4-year research program Transformative partnerships for sustainable development: Assessing synergies, effectiveness and legitimacy of UN multi-stakeholder across SDGs to achieve the 2030 Agenda, funded by Formas (2021-2024).
The program is led by Professor Karin Bäckstrand at Stockholm University and the Institute for Future Studies together with researchers at Lund University and Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. The overarching aim of the project is to examine if, how and when multi-stakeholder partnerships can contribute to the implementation of 2030 Agenda and act as a vehicle to accelerate transformative shift to sustainability.
To answer these research questions, the project employs a mixed-method design by combining qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze partnership projects across the world and related to environmental, social and economic dimensions of UNs global sustainable development goals (for more information: www.iffs.se/en/research/research-projects/transformative-partnerships-for-sustainable-development/).
We seek candidates with a background within international relations, politics of the environment and sustainable development, and/or public policy. Experience from previous studies of United Nations and global governance, 2030 Agenda, private-public partnerships and/or environmental policy is a merit. We are particularly interested in candidates familiar with mixed-methods, as the program employs a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methods.
Additional merits include capacity to work in a international cross-disciplinary team of researchers and to communicate research findings to wider audiences beyond academia. The candidate must have demonstrated excellent skills in academic written English. The PhD student is expected to contribute to the study of public-private partnerships in line with the program’s aim and research questions and research tasks will be conducted in dialogue with other consortium members.
While aligned with research program’s aim, the PhD thesis project will be conducted independently including the formulation of the research problem, choice of theory and methodological approaches. The PhD student is expected to be present at the Department and actively participate in the research and teaching environment as well as contribute to program tasks, including reporting to Formas.
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 credits, including studies at the advanced level (master’s level) of at least 60 credits in the political science subject, or the equivalent education,
- a completed written academic, independent work with at least the grade ’pass’, equivalent to at least 15 credits in the political science subject,
- completed additional 90 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 research education. Selection criteria and 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.
Terms of study funding
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 Christian Antoni Möllerop, telephone +46 8 16 30 94, antagning.forskarutbildning@statsvet.su.se, and Professor Karin Bäckstrand (project leader), karin.backstrand@statsvet.su.se.
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.
- 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 (no more than 3 pages excluding references) describing:
– which research problem you want to address and how you would approach this problem methodologically - 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.