PhD position specialising in democracy and human rights, University of Göteborg

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Göteborg has opened the application for a PhD position within one of its seven departments.

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Göteborg has opened the application for a PhD position within one of its seven departments. The 4-years position is planned to being in the autumn semester of 2025. The concerned departments are:

Political Science; Social Work; Psychology; Public Administration; Journalism, Media, and Communication; Sociology and Work Science; and Global Studies.

They are looking for a person who is interested in contributing to the development of research in one of the Faculty’s third-cycle subjects by means of a project that relates to “fundamental democratic values regarding freedom of thought, opinion, expression, and religion”. The focus is based on a collaboration between the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Gothenburg Trading Company Fund (Göteborgs Handelskompanis deposition), which finances this doctoral studentship.

Duties:

The position involves third-cycle studies totalling 240 higher education credits, equivalent to four years of full-time study. This includes formulating and implementing a thesis project that will lead to a doctoral thesis in accordance with an individual study plan and in collaboration with that student’s supervisor,. It also includes taking the required third-cycle courses. The doctoral student is expected to be active in the research environment and the daily activities of the department. The programme leads to a Doctor of Philosophy degree in one of the Faculty’s third-cycle (doctoral) subjects.

General entry requirements:

• Completed a second-cycle degree, or
• Completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at second-cycle level, or
• Acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Particular attention will be paid to the following

• A research outline containing a well thought-out research problem and research question, justification for the chosen subject area and a discussion of the theories, methods and materials that may be relevant. A description of and reflection on the ethical aspects and challenges of the proposed project must also be included.  
• How the applicants have stated and justified how the research question they wish to investigate relates to the focus of the announcement on “fundamental democratic values regarding freedom of thought, opinion, expression, and religion”.
• The department’s supervision resources in the area of the doctoral student’s research specialisation.
• Proven ability to communicate in English both orally and in writing.

The application must contain the following:

• A personal letter with a short statement as to why you are interested in doctoral studies (max. 1 page) and in which subject you wish to take your degree.
• A CV/ curriculum vitae
• A research outline (max. 4 pages). The outline should include justification of the relevance of the question to the purpose in the announcement (see above)
• Certified copies of diplomas and proof of fulfilment of specific entry requirements (extracts from LADOK), as well as any other documents relevant to the position that you wish to refer to.
• Copies of theses, dissertations and other publications that you wish to cite.