PhD student positions in Political Science: Security Studies

The Political Science Division at the Department of Security, Strategy and Leadership (ISSL), Swedish Defence University (SEDU) conducts research and education about security policy, societal security, crisis management, emergency response, and international cooperation. The Department is host to a collection of researchers who research into and teach civilian courses and programmes, but also contribute with expertise on crisis management to the military programmes at graduate and advanced levels. They also undertake commissioned teaching about emergency response and crisis management aimed at both the public and private sectors.

The Swedish Defence University is looking for up to three doctoral candidates in Political Science: Security Studies.

Political Science: Security Studies is the scholarly analysis of politics with a focus on security, strategy, crisis management and international cooperation. The subject is broad and grounded in international relations, public administration, comparative politics, and political theory. It also draws on other research within and beyond political science. Research is conducted for example on the politics of how security is conceived, created and undermined, and how threats and crises are prevented and managed in Swedish, European and international contexts. For example, state-, society- and individual-level threats, conflicts, decision-making processes, identities, and ethical dilemmas, at both national and international levels, are analysed.

Duties

The doctoral students will mainly work on completing a PhD in Political Science: Security Studies. The main task is to write a 165 credit doctoral thesis in Political Science: Security Studies. Course-work equivalent to 75 credits also have to be completed, while departmental duties (for example teaching, maximum 20% of working time) are optional. The duration of the PhD programme is four years, but is extended with a fifth year to compensate for the time spent on departmental duties. The doctoral student will be part of the Political Science Division of ISSL, and begin in January 2019.

Eligibility

The following criteria give basic eligibility to the PhD programme:

• A degree at the advanced level,
• At least 240 completed credits, of which at least 60 credits at advanced level, and/or
• Demonstration of equivalent knowledge, domestically or internationally.

Special eligibility to the PhD programme in Political Science: Security Studies include:

• At least 30 completed credits at the advanced level in fields central to Political Science:  Security Studies, or equivalent,
• An examined individual thesis in Political Science: Security Studies, or equivalent, of at least 15 credits at the advanced level, as well as
• Coursework of an additional 90 credits in relevant subjects.

Selection

Selection is based on an assessment of each candidate’s ability to conduct PhD studies and produce a high-quality doctoral thesis. The assessment is based on the academic quality of previous work, and the proposed research plan’s relevance to SEDU research in Political Science: Security Studies.

Application
Your application must be registered with SEDU no later than 2018-08-31, and include:

• A letter of application with a personal description of yourself and your expectations on the PhD programme (max 1 page),
• Your CV with contact details of two referees, certified by two people,
• A brief description of your proposed research project (max 3 pages, including references),
• A copy of your thesis at the advanced level, as well as any other publications you wish to cite (max 3 texts),
• Certified copies of all examination certificates required for eligibility.

Only complete applications will be accepted. Applicants may be called for an interview during the autumn 2018. The aim is to decide on acceptance and admission to the PhD programme well in advance of the spring term 2019.

The position is full-time (100%) and time-limited according to the Regulations of the Swedish Board of Higher Education, chapter 5.

SEDU adheres to a policy of equality and diversity and we welcome applicants from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We promote an inclusive working environment, and our staff can combine work with active parenting.

Further information about the position may be gained from:

Prof. Linus Hagström, Director of Studies for the PhD programme in Political Science: Security Studies: linus.hagstrom@fhs.se and Dr. Andrus Ers, qualified Research Administrator, andrus.ers@fhs.se

Union representatives: Ronnie Hjorth (SACO), Christian Friman (OFR/S) and Anders Oltorp (OFR/O), via +46 8 553 425 00

General information about the Swedish higher education system can be found at the website of the Swedish Higher Education Council.