Deadline: 30 April 2015
Open to: Master’s degree holders in political science, public policy, law or relevant social sciences with excellent study results
Scholarship: full-time research grant for one year, renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of four years
Description
The Institute for European Studies (IES) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is calling for applications for one full-time doctoral researcher in migration, cultural diversity and citizenship policies.
Immigration and cultural diversity policies are core to definitions of national sovereignty. Still, in recent years, elements of these policy areas have been shifted upwards, to the international level (EU and international organizations), downwards, to the sub-state level (regional and local authorities) and outwards (to countries of origin, transit and private actors). Recent research on global, European, regional and local immigration and immigrant integration policies show how these venues and levels matter more and more in policy making. The PhD candidate should seek to contribute to the understanding of how interactions across levels shape policy and why they occur. Research proposals are invited that focus on the interaction between the local, regional, national, European or international levels, with a preference for projects that include the EU level. The programme explicitly welcome research proposals that explore these vertical interactions from a comparative perspective (across policy fields, across nation states, or across actor groups).
For example, within a broader multi-level governance framework, PhD projects could explore any of the following sub-themes:
- the politics and policy of free movement in the EU;
- the politics and policy of de-radicalization in the EU;
- mainstreaming immigrant integration across policy levels and policy sectors;
- migration and cultural diversity policy making in multi-level states (e.g. Belgium, Germany, Spain, UK, Italy);
- new actors and institutions in immigration and cultural diversity.
Have an overview of the research team HERE.
Eligibility
The successful candidate is required to:
- hold a Master’s degree in political science, public policy, law or relevant social sciences with excellent study results;
- be fluent in English;
- have a thorough knowledge of the literature on migration and integration policy.
Scholarship
A full-time research grant for one year, renewable on an annual basis for a maximum of four years is provided. Extension of the contract is subject to the agreement of the doctoral committee. Remuneration is at the level of a full-time research assistant at a Flemish university (i.e. approximately € 1,900 net per month) and includes contributions for social security. Secondary employment is not allowed. Office space and equipment will be provided along with a budget for travelling and other research-related expenses.
Application
- A one-page motivation letter explaining the candidate’s interest in pursuing a PhD on the chosen topic;
- A curriculum vitae listing all academic qualifications, relevant research experience and previous publications;
- A project proposal featuring a literature review, a research question and proposed hypotheses, a methodological outline and an indicative planning, condensed into no more than 3,000 words;
- A copy of the highest obtained diploma and transcript of academic grades.
These documents should be sent into a single PDF file to jobs@ies.be (subject heading: ‘Migration PhD call’).
Candidates must also provide two letters of recommendation written on their behalf. Referees are requested to send their signed letters directly to jobs@ies.be.
The deadline for applications is 30 April 2015. Short-listed candidates will be informed by early June and interviews with top-listed candidates are expected to take place in the weeks thereafter. The successful candidate can start as of 1 October or as soon as possible thereafter.
Check the official call.
