Postdoctor in Political Science

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 post-doctoral fellow, to conduct research within the research project On the road again: The rise and decline of itinerant rule, funded by the Swedish Research Council. This is a 2-year position, 100% of full-time, with the possibility of a 1-year extension, also 100% full-time.

Subject area

Political science

Subject area description

Political Science is the study of politics.

Duties 

The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher after completing their doctoral degree and to create the conditions for further qualifications. The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow must mainly conduct research. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

As a postdoctoral fellow, you are expected to conduct research in the project On the road again: The rise and decline of itinerant rule, which studies how medieval and early modern rulers governed by travelling around their realms from place to place together with their state apparatuses. The project uses geocoded historical data to analyze 1) what factors decided monarchs’ itineraries, 2) what activities monarchs engaged in on their visits, 3) what factors explain the end of itinerant rule and the emergence of capitals with permanent state administrations, and 4) what consequences monarchs visits had for local political and economic development (up until the present). This work combines opportunities to work with extensive historical data collected by the project members as well as opportunities to independently develop your own ideas. The tasks consist partly of compiling, merging, and analyzing extensive geocoded historical data. The work will take place in collaboration with Andrej Kokkonen at the Department of Political Science, Carl Müller-Crepon at the London School of Economics, Jørgen Møller at Aarhus University and Clara Neupert-Wentz at Aarhus University.

Eligibility

Eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral fellow is someone who has a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject at the latest 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 should be considered. Even those who have completed their degree previously can be considered if there are special reasons.

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

Assessment

You must have a doctoral degree in preferably political science or related discipline at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. We are looking for you with previous experience of research in connection with the research area described above.

The project will be based on (1) collection and organization of historical data, and (2) geospatial analysis of data. It is therefore a requirement with extensive documented experience in geospatial design and data analysis. Experience of working with historical data is a plus.

Documented experience of STATA and / or R is a requirement. You should also be able to independently produce high-level scientific articles. Previously published self-written scientific articles are therefore a merit.

Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

To be successful in this position, you must have an eye for detail, good organizational skills and be able to solve problems. You need to have excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability for the position. We will make an overall assessment and the applicant who is considered to be best qualified to carry out and develop the tasks described above will be appointed to the position.

Employment 

The employment is limited (temporary) for 24 months, 100% of full-time at the Department of Political Science, with the possibility of a 12 months extension. Starting date; 2024-08-01 or as agreed.

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

Contact information for the post 

If you have questions regarding the employment, or details about the projects in which this position is organized, please contact Andrej Kokkonen, andrej.kokkonen@pol.gu.se

If you have any questions regarding the employment procedure, please contact Helena Jensen, Helena.Jensen@gu.se

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. 

We kindly ask you to write your application in English as the application may be reviewed by English-speaking staff. In the selection process, it will likely be relevant with interviews, reference taking and work samples in English.

The application should include the following:

• A letter of application (max 3 pages), outlining how your research agenda can contribute to this project. It should clearly show the ways in which the applicant meets the requirements specified above.
• A CV (including list of publications)
• One writing sample
• A list of at least three references (with contact information) from whom letters of recommendation can be solicited

Applications must be received by: 2024-05-29

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.