Lund University, Faculty of Social Sciences ,

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Duties
The PhD programme in political science consists of 240 credits (equivalent to four years of full-time studies) and is concluded with the public defense of a doctoral thesis. The appointed doctoral students will receive a salary from the University during four years, and their primary obligation is to complete their PhD studies. The position may involve departmental duties, mainly in the form of teaching, up to 20 per cent of full time working hours, in which case the appointment will be extended by the equivalent number of hours. The doctoral student will have access to a work space at the Department of Political Science. The terms of employment for doctoral students are regulated in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (HF), Chapter 5, Sections 1– 7.

The position is part of an effort connected to ongoing research projects on the theme of mobilization for political equality, led by Associate Professor Markus Holdo. With rapid societal changes and growing socioeconomic gaps, the conditions for citizens to exercise political influence have changed. This effort is tied to research projects aiming to contribute with knowledge on how social movements can challenge trends of growing political inequality and initiate democratic deepening.

The doctoral student is expected to contribute to knowledge on mobilization for a more equal and inclusive society. The position is related to projects in which an important part is to deepen understandings of the changing conditions for citizens’ participation and activism. The doctoral student will carry out independent research focusing on issues related to this. The doctoral students may, for example, choose to conduct comparative research on movements in different times and places. Movements with different political goals can be studied, such as movements against different forms of discrimination, inequality, economic injustices and violence. The doctoral student is expected to be present at the department and participate actively in the research and teaching environment.

For this position, previous experiences of studies on issues related to political inequality and mobilization will be regarded a particular merit, as will knowledge in theories of inclusion/exclusion and equality/inequality.

The main language of the PhD programme is English. However, non-Swedish speaking students are expected to acquire basic skills in Swedish during the period of employment. There are opportunities to participate in language courses taught at the University. The doctoral studentship will commence on 1 September 2021. The general syllabus and other information about the PhD programme in political science is available at: http://www.svet.lu.se/en/education/phd-studies

Qualifications
The requirements for admission to third cycle courses and study programmes (in accordance with HF, Chapter 7, Section 35) are that the applicant
•meets the general and specific entry requirements that the higher education institution may have laid down, and
•is considered in other respects to have the ability required to benefit from the course or study programme (Swedish Code of Statutes 2010:1064).
A person meets the general entry requirements for third cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:
•has been awarded a second cycle qualification,
•has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or 
•has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific entry requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed at least 30 second cycle credits within the main field of political science, or acquired the equivalent knowledge in Sweden or abroad. The applicant must also present a graded Master’s degree project of at least 15 credits in political science or other discipline deemed equivalent.

Assessment criteria
Only applicants who are eligible for third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Admission is primarily to be based on the applicant’s ability to benefit from the third cycle programme. The applicants will be ranked based on an overall assessment of the quality of their submitted thesis/ theses and research plan, grades from previous studies, and their personal suitability. As third cycle studies in political science are very demanding, the applicant must be highly motivated and able to work independently under time constraints. Good collaboration and communication skills are also required, as is proficiency in both written and spoken English. Interviews will be conducted with a shortlisted number of applicants during the final stages of the admission process. The applicants may be asked to provide work samples.
The Department of Political Science welcomes all applicants.

Application procedure
Applications are to be submitted electronically via the Lund University application portal.

The application must include:
•A cover letter in Swedish or English of max 1 000 words, which contains a brief presentation of yourself and your qualifications, as well as a brief explanation of why you are interested in the theme for this position and in third cycle studies at the Department of Political Science at Lund University.
•A CV in Swedish or English that demonstrated your qualifications for the third cycle programme in Political Science.
•Degree and grade certificates in Swedish or English.
• Master’s degree project in Swedish or English corresponding to at least 15 credits in political science or another discipline deemed equivalent (in addition to the Master’s degree project, a Bachelor's degree project can also be submitted).
•A brief research plan in Swedish or English of max 2 000 words including references.
•Name and contact information of two personal references (letters of reference are not required in the first stage of application).
•Other documentation of relevance to the position.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 1 September 2021
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/4098
Contact
  • Magdalena Bexell, dep. head of department , +46 (46) 222 01 66, magdalena.bexell@svet.lu.se
  • Fariborz Zelli, director of studies , +46 (46) 222 47 64, Fariborz.zelli@svet.lu.se
  • Markus Holdo, project managertleader, markus.holdo@svet.lu.se
Union representative
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, +46 (46) 222 93 64
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, +46 (46) 222 93 62
Published 07.Dec.2020
Last application date 05.Feb.2021 11:59 PM CET

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