PhD opportunity in Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium (deadline:11 June 2017)

Do you wnt to study in Belgium? Try this opportunity for PhD in Political Sociology!

The Institut de sciences politiques Louvain-Europe (ISPOLE) based in the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL), offers one doctoral fellowship in the context of the research project Qualidem, a five-years research project funded by the European Research Council  (StG – 2016_716208 ; Prof V. Van Ingelgom, F.R.S. - FNRS, UCLouvain, Principal investigator & Dr C. Dupuy Sciences Po Grenoble, Pacte, principal collaborator)

The Qualidem project offers a qualitative (re)appraisal of citizens’ (dis-)affection towards politics by relying on the core argument of the policy feedback literature: attitudes and behaviours are outcomes of past policy. It aims to explain the evolutions of democratic linkages as being shaped by public policy, and specifically by the turn to neoliberalism and supranationalisation. It intends to systematically analyse the domestic and socially differentiated effects of both of these major macro transformations to citizens’ representations and experiences of politics, as an addition to the existing emphasis on individual determinants and the existing contextual explanations of disengagement and disaffection towards politics. On the theoretical level, this project therefore aims to build bridges between scholars of public policy and students of mass politics. On the empirical level, Qualidem relies on the reanalysis of qualitative data – interviews and focus groups – from a diachronic and comparative perspective focusing on four Western European countries (Belgium, France, Germany and the UK) with the US serving as a counterpoint.

The doctoral fellow will be employed full-time for the duration of 48 months by the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium, ideally starting on October the 1st 2017. By the end of this period S/He will have to submit a PhD dissertation. S/He will be affiliated to ISPOLE [https://uclouvain.be/fr/instituts-recherche/ispole] at UCLouvain. In the context of Qualidem sustained collaboration with Sciences Po Grenoble, this institution will contribute to the international environment of the research team.

The doctoral fellow will be employed full-time for the duration of 48 months. The applicant's net monthly salary will be approximately 1850 euros. Social insurance is included.

Selection process

The application deadline is June 11, 2017.

Applicants are asked to email to sandrine.leveque@uclouvain.be: (1) a cover letter ; (2) a detailed CV; (3) one writing sample (chapter of master thesis, article, paper, book chapter…) ; (4) one letter of recommendation.

Interviews will be scheduled on June 28, 2017 in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. Travel funding will be provided. The invited candidates will received further information on the project and will be asked to submit a PhD project / research proposal (max. 1000 words).

45 PhD scholarships in Germany (until 31 March 2017)

Do you want to pursue a doctoral research in Germany? 

There are 45 PLACES AVAILABLE FOR 2017

The Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS) at the University of Mannheim offers excellent opportunities for highly motivated students with a quantitative orientation to pursue their doctoral degree in Business, Economics and the Social Sciences.

Highly qualified graduates are welcome to apply for the full-time PhD Programs starting in September 2017. Up to 45 scholarships will be offered to the best applicants.

Within our three Doctoral Centers we offer 11 PhD Programs:

Center for Doctoral Studies in Business (CDSB)

• Accounting
• Finance
• Information Systems
• Management
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Taxation

Center for Doctoral Studies in Economics (CDSE)

• Economics

Center for Doctoral Studies in Social Sciences (CDSS)

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Political Science

Our PhD Programs provide unique interdisciplinary training across the boundaries of the economic and the social sciences to equip graduates to be academic leaders and decision scientists of the future.

The first year of the program lays the critical foundation necessary for later work in field courses and dissertation and paves a path for the students to work in intense collaboration with our dynamic and outstanding faculties to learn the craft of research. This occurs both in theoretical projects and in empirical fields, where learning-by-doing transfers information about data sets, research strategy, and econometric tools. In the second year students attend a number of courses in their field of specialization before they start their research and writing phase.

The research results of our students and graduates are regularly published in leading journals. Building on the strong academic standing of the University of Mannheim in the economic and social sciences, our graduates are currently enriching some of the best departments and research facilities worldwide as professors, assistant professors or post-docs.

Your benefits:

• generous monthly scholarships
• no tuition fees
• own office space
• first-class IT systems and software
• innovative research topics
• supervision by leading research professors
• vibrant and international research community
• supportive and collaborative administration
• placement activities and support

Application Requirements:

We welcome applications from highly qualified students of all nationalities. Applicants must hold (or anticipate receiving before enrollment) a very good research oriented Master's degree (or an equivalent) in the respective field. Applications from students with excellent Bachelor degrees are considered as well. Applicants from neighboring fields can be admitted if their background is judged to be sufficient. Only online applications are accepted.

Application deadline: March 31, 2017.

Applications handed in before:

• January 15 (Economics – CDSE)
• January 31 (Business – CDSB)
• January 31 (Social Sciences and Behavioral Sciences – CDSS)

will be treated as early applications and decided on before the official deadline.

Please visit our website for full details about the programs and admission requirements.

Your step to academic excellence – apply here.

Contact:

Graduate School of Economic & Social Sciences (GESS)
University of Mannheim
L 9, 7
68161 Mannheim

Phone: +49 621 / 181-2034
E-mail: gess@uni-mannheim.de
Web: gess.uni-mannheim.deFacebook: facebook.com/gess.uni.mannheim

Company: University of Mannheim
Location: Mannheim, Germany
Application date: November 1, 2016 – March 31, 2017

PhD Grants in Germany (Apply by 19 February 2016)

The Graduate School “Society and Culture in Motion” (GS SCM) offers grants for Ph.D. students and also for junior researchers at the Postdoc level. For the time being, Ph.D. grants are at EUR 1050/month and Postdoc grants at EUR 2000/month.
For applicants outside the Schengen Area, the School offers assistance in obtaining visas. Travel expenses for those individuals coming to Germany (in order to take conduct research in Halle) can be paid for.

The Graduate School “Society and Culture in Motion” (SCM), Halle (Germany) announces the following openings:

4 grants for Ph.D. students (EUR 1050/month) for 24 months with the possibility of a 12 month extension

Applications must be received (not postmarked) by February 19th, 2016
Beginning: April 1st, 2016

Ph.D. Grant Descriptions

The guiding subject matter of SCM is the study of the motion and transformation of ideas, artifacts, and models in space, time and between social fields. New technological,  political, judicial, as well as economic frameworks have increasingly  trans-local and quite often global meanings due to their translations into local contexts. GS SCM aims to devise concepts that allow for the description of these  translation processes, paying particular attention to creative  strategies of adaption, transformation and redeployment of travelling  epistemic or normative elements. Thus, we aim to understand the  reflexive and stimulating potentials in experiences with unfamiliar  cultural or social orders.

Consequently, our primary concern goes beyond the migration of people  as an economic and political process in order to focus on the  challenges and chances that symbolic and normative elements in motion  bring about.

From this perspective, we expect interdisciplinary research projects  on aspects of creative resistance, adaptation and camouflage that can be  identified as forms of translation of travelling ideas and models. The  focus could be on historical and social as well as transdisciplinary  movements.

Central research topic for the granted projects

Estrangement as a learning process:Experiences – Institutions – Reflecting Strategies

Estrangement is a topic intensively discussed in public within the context of contemporary global migration. It is also prominent in academic discourses such as sociology, ethnology, economics, law, philosophy, literary and educational sciences, among others. SCM has conducted extensive research on the topic and strives to connect its research progress with real world practices and issues, thereby generating a context in which to apply its innovative results.

SCM proposes  to analyze estrangement as a contradictory, yet productive learning  process in which epistemic, symbolic or politically non-integrated elements encounter a given order. Its scope encompasses constellations which initially appear to be enigmatic and require categorical and social re-organization as well as (self-)reflexive learning processes in order to be integrated into existing orders. Within this frame-work, SCM invites research projects that explore potentially fruitful ways of dealing with strange-/otherness in the sciences, legal systems as well as public discourses, thus disclosing opportunities for social re-organization and integration in existing societal constellations.

Who can apply for a Ph.D. stipend?

Potential Ph.D. students must hold an MA degree (equivalent to the German MA) in social sciences or humanities, or an equivalent degree entitling the holder to take up Ph.D. studies in Germany. In order to fully participate in and take advantage of the GS SCM’s activities, continuous presence of the students in Halle is required. Applications must include the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Copy of M.A. certificate (English or German)
• Transcript of Records (if available)
• CV
• Outline of a research proposal together with project timeline (3000 – 5000 words). This proposal should relate to the general topic “Estrangement as a learning process” (see above for a description of the central research topic). Furthermore, we ask that you include details of your research progress (if any) up to the time of application.
• Letter of recommendation written by an academic supervisor from the previous university.
• Proof of adequate knowledge of English (if a non-native speaker).

What we offer Ph.D.s

• Trans-disciplinary seminars and workshops on various subjects.
• Presentations and talks by visiting scholars.
• Workshops related to key skills training.
• A framework for discussing dissertation projects.
• In addition to the grants, the GS SCM offers additional financial support forgrantees with children.
• The GS SCM can also contribute to field work expenses (if applicable).  If this kind of support is required, then it should be stated and explained in the research proposal.

The GS SCM programme is not only directed at the GS SCM grantees; a number of other Ph.D. students and junior researchers are continuously taking part in the programme.

While the working language of the GSSCM is English, we nevertheless request that students acquire a working knowledge of German (for everyday communication as well as reading skills in scholarly literature). German language instruction is available through the university.

What is expected from participating Ph.D. students?

• We expect a sustained effort in the Ph.D. work, together with
• a willingness to actively take part in the GS SCM schooling programme. This involves giving presentations and papers at the trans-disciplinary seminars, workshops, as well as on other occasions
• a general interest in methodological and epistemological enquiries.
• Successful completion of the degree (Ph.D.) takes place according to the guidelines and regulations of the corresponding faculty.

Please send complete applications as shown on the SCM website:
http://www.scm.uni-halle.de/gsscm/stipendien/?lang=en

by e-mail to: verwaltung@scm.uni-halle.de

and/or by ordinary mail to:

Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
Graduate School “Society and Culture in Motion”
Reichardtstr. 6
D-06114 Halle/Saale

PhD Scholarships in Giessen University in Gernany 2016

Do you want to pursue a PhD studies in Germany? Here is a good opportunity!

Giessen University’s International Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), cofunded by the German federal government’s Excellence Initiative, offers a three-year, structured PhD-programme in the study of culture. With its excellent research environment, a doctoral programme which is tailored to the needs of PhD students and the intensive personal support it provides, the Graduate Centre offers doctoral researchers optimum conditions for their PhD-projects and custom-made preparation for the time thereafter, both with regard to academic and non-academic careers.

The GCSC invites applications for one of the 13 PhD scholarships available, which are funded by the Excellence Initiative as well as Justus Liebig University Giessen.

The PhD scholarship period starts on October 1, 2016 and includes a monthly stipend of approximately €1,468 (plus family allowances when applicable). Scholarships are offered for one year with the possibility of two extensions, each of one year. The GCSC supports young researchers with families: appointees with children under the age of twelve are eligible for renewals of up to four years.

Acceptance of a scholarship requires participation in the study programme and wide-ranging events offered by the GCSC, as well as active involvement in at least one Research Area and one other GCSC/GGK research group. Doctoral members of the GCSC must register as PhD students at the Justus Liebig University. There are no tuition fees for doctoral students at the JLU, except for an enrolment fee of approximately €300 per semester. All scholarship holders are expected to assume residency in or near Giessen.

The GCSC expects scholarship holders to:

• Pursue a dissertation project that contributes to the GCSC’s research profile* and can be supervised at the Justus Liebig University,
• Actively participate in one of the GCSC’s research areas* by initiating, coordinating and documenting collaborative research projects, such as conferences or publications,
• Participate in the GCSC’s curriculum.

The GCSC offers a research-intensive environment and comprehensive, multi-tier supervision at all stages of a dissertation project via, e.g. interdisciplinary research colloquia and professional support in preparing academic papers and conferences. The GCSC Teaching Centre offers systematic qualification in higher education teaching; opportunities to teach at the BA level are available.

Eligibility: We invite applications from students who graduated with excellent marks (from twoyear research-track master’s programmes in one of the GCSC’s academic subjects* or  the arts/humanities, cultural studies or social sciences no longer than two years ago as well as from students who expect to obtain a first or upper second class honours M.A. degree (or the equivalent).

The GCSC encourages applications which make a significant contribution to the study of culture in various historical contexts, including contemporary phenomena. An international research perspective, i.e. international study experience, is an advantage.

The GCSC’s working languages are German and English, and applicants must be fluent in at least one of them; knowledge of both is an advantage and should be acquired during the scholarship period.

The GCSC focuses its research within the following Research Areas*: Research Area 1: Cultural Memory Studies | Research Area 2: Cultural Narratologies | Research Area 3: Cultural Transformation and Performativity Studies | Research Area 4: Visual and Material Culture Studies | Research Area 5: Media and Multiliteracy Studies | Research Area 6: Cultural Identities | Research Area 7: Global Studies and Politics of Space | Research Area 8: Cultures of Knowledge, Research and Education.

In addition, the GCSC has established research groups organized around “emerging topics” that are expected to contribute to the research profile by establishing and strengthening links to neighbouring disciplines as well as to emerging topics in contemporary public discourse. Thus far, Emerging Topic Groups have been established on “Ecology”, “Migration” and “Religion”

Application procedure and deadline:

The main selection criteria are the candidates’ academic qualifications, the academic quality of the research proposal and the suitability of the project for the GCSC’s research programme. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a 30-minute interview.

The application deadline is February 2, 2016. All applications (including an application form and further documents as stated on the GCSC website) have to be submitted online. Please find all information about the two-stage application procedure on our website at http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/application. 

If you have any questions concerning your application, please contact us at gcscapplication@uni-giessen.de. On January 13, 2016, the GCSC will host an Information Day at the Graduate Centre for the Study of Culture (GCSC), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Alter Steinbacher Weg 38, 35394 Giessen. The Information Day gives potential applicants the opportunity to meet the faculty and students involved in the doctoral programme. You will also have a chance to obtain more information on the research areas and academic objectives of the GCSC; the wide range of interdisciplinary courses, colloquia and conferences; the research support on offer; international networks and partner institutions; as well as publishing and additional funding opportunities available to GCSC members. To register for the Information Day, please visit our website (starting December 1st).

*) See http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de and http://gcsc.uni-giessen.de/research for further information.

12 Doctoral Fellowships from Bamberg School of Social Sciences

Do you want to study in Germany? Grab this opportunity!

The Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences (BAGSS) invites applications for 12 doctoral fellowships with a duration of up to three years.

BAGSS is a multidisciplinary Graduate School funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG) as
part of the German Excellence Initiative. We are seeking to stimulate and guide cutting-edge doctoral
research on some of the most crucial challenges modern knowledge-based societies are facing.
Specialised research agendas have been grouped into four thematic pillars:

 Pillar 1 Education, personal development and learning from early childhood to adulthood
 Pillar 2 Education and social inequality across the entire life course
 Pillar 3 Changes in human capital, labour markets and demographic structures and their
impact on social inequality in modern societies
 Pillar 4 Governance, institutional change and political behaviour

BAGSS faculty comprises over 25 professors from the fields of Sociology, Psychology, Educational
Science, Political Science, Economics, Demography and Statistics.

BAGSS is offering prospective doctoral researchers a three year, fully-funded and structured graduate
programme located in Bamberg, Germany. Each candidate receives a training programme tailored
to their individual needs. The language of instruction is English; doctoral theses can be submitted in English or German. Doctoral fellows receive a dedicated office space, IT equipment, conference and summer school travel support.

BAGSS invites applications from exceptionally qualified graduates in Sociology, Psychology, Educational Science, Political Science, Economics, Demography and Statistics or closely related fields.

For more information about BAGSS, eligibility and application procedures, please visit our homepage:
www.uni-bamberg.de/bagss/application

Application
For summer term 2015 (starting on April 1, 2015)
please apply online until October 31, 2014.

Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences
Funded by the Excellence Initiative
Contact: Miriam Schneider
admissions.bagss@uni-bamberg.de
www.uni-bamberg.de/bagss

Calls for Application for 34 PhD Positions in Italy

    

NASP/GSSPS Calls for APPLICATION FOR 34 PhD Positions for A.Y. 2014/2015 ARE NOW OPEN

Deadline: September 30, 2014Open to: students with background in Economic Sociology, Labour Studies, Political Studies, Sociology and Methodology of Social Research
Scholarships: approx 13.500 euro per year, renewable for up to three years.

Description

The Network for the Advancement of Social and Political Sciences (NASP) and the GraduateSchool in Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan (GSSPS) are accepting applications for admission to the Ph.D. Programmes in:

• Economic Sociology and Labour Studies (13 scholarship positions)
• Political Studies (14 scholarship positions)
• Sociology and Methodology of Social Research (7 scholarship positions)

NASP offers a total of 34 Ph.D. positions covered by scholarships. Full information on how to submit applications is provided by the Call for Application. The application deadline is September 30th, 2014.

NASP involves a network of universities in Northern Italy: Brescia, Università Cattolica, Genova, Milano, Milano-Bicocca, Pavia, Piemonte Orientale and Torino. NASP is based at the GraduateSchool in Social and Political Sciences of the University of Milan (GSSPS).

Economic Sociology and Labour Studies

The mission of the programme is to give students both a strong disciplinary focus (in sociology, labour law, management and organizational behaviour, psychology of work) and a substantive attention to socio-economic behaviour and processes, in particular from the point of view of labour and organizations. Six broad areas of specialization are offered. Each student will choose the one who best suits her research interests and use it as a starting point for her research project. Of course trespassing and contamination are allowed and encouraged.

• Social institutions and the economy
• Labour studies
• Complex organizations
• Economic behaviour and social interaction
• Local development and global society
• Occupations, education and social stratification

Political Studies

The aim of the doctoral Programme is to train highly-skilled professionals who can undertake research within academic institutions, think tanks and research centers, as well as provide consultancy for political, economic, public or private organizations at the national and international levels.

The programme offers a two-levels training: first, the acquisition of a common background on the most up-to-date knowledge and methods in the field of political science and political philosophy. Second, a more personalized training subdivided in four main paths of specialization, and the possibility to experiment cross-curricular paths linking together traditionally unrelated disciplines.

These four main paths are:

• Institutions and Public Policy
• International Studies
• Public Opinion, Political Communication and Political Behaviour
• Political Theory

Sociology and Methodology of Social Research

The aim of the programme is to provide structured training in theoretically-guided empirical research across a wide range of sociological fields and to introduce students to current international debates in both qualitative and quantitative social research. Graduates from the programme ill be able to compete successfully for positions as researchers (in public and private universities and research centres), skilled professionals and consultants in sociology to public agencies and international organizations and institutions in Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

Research areas covered by the Ph.D. Programme now include:

• Cultural Processes.
• Media and the Public Sphere.
• Methodology of Social Research
• Social Change and Inequalities
• Urban Spaces

All courses are taught in English for all of the Ph.D. Programmes, while the dissertation might be written in English as well as in Italian, depending on the topic and on the supervisor’s judgement.

For more information on the call for application please visit the official webpage at:
http://www.graduateschool.unimi.it/call_2014_2015.html

University of Munster - PhD opportunities (Deadline: April 15, 2014)

Do you want to pursue a PhD in Germany?

PhD Positions - Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics

Position(s): Up to five PhD opportunitiesApplication deadline: April 15, 2014

Location: Münster

Website: http://www.uni- muenster.de/Religion-und-Politik/en/graduiertenschule/

Up to five PhD opportunities available in the Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics” at the University of Münster, Germany.

An exciting opportunity exists for potential PhD students to fill up to five positions by October 1, 2014 in the Graduate School within the interdisciplinary Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics in Pre- Modern and Modern Cultures” at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster – University of Münster, Germany. The Cluster involves a large number of academics from the areas of History, Catholic and Protestant Theology, Jurisprudence, Islamic Studies, Islamic Theology, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Philology, Ethnology, Egyptology, Political Science, and the Sociology of Religion. Projects in the Cluster are grouped around four themes: Normativity, Mediality, Integration, and Violence. Further information about the research areas of the Cluster can be found at:http://www.uni-muenster.de/Religion-und-Politik/en/forschung/forschungsfelder.html.

Each of these positions is half an E13 TV-L position (approximately € 1.100 net salary per month, including health insurance). Initially the positions are available for two years, with an extension of up to one year possible. Besides from working on their own projects, PhD students are expected to participate in the planning and organization of at least one conference or workshop. These workshops or conferences are expected to cover such areas as theory, methods, and the interpretation of source material. PhD students will also participate in the Cluster’s Doctoral Studies Programme. Information about the Graduate School and its study program can be found at: http://www.uni-muenster.de/Religion-und-Politik/en/graduiertenschule/.

We are seeking students who have demonstrated exceptional ability in the Humanities, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, Law/Jurisprudence, or Theology/Religious Studies. Furthermore we are particularly interested in attracting students who have demonstrated high competence in interdisciplinary studies, have proven their ability to communicate their research to a variety of forums, and have the potential to establish themselves in international arenas. In order to facilitate communication and collaboration within the Graduate School, applicants who are not proficient in German will be encouraged to attend German language courses. Applicants are kindly requested to provide a five page description of their intended project (including a bibliography). It is expected that the project will complement the research aims and also one or more of the research areas of the Cluster. All doctoral projects will be supervised by Cluster professors.

Please send your application (including cover letter, CV, copies of transcripts, a project description, and two academic references) by April 15, 2014 to the Speaker of the Cluster of Excellence, Prof. Dr. Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger, preferably by email (with an attached PDF file):
Prof. Dr. Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster Cluster of Excellence “Religion and Politics in Pre-Modern and Modern Cultures“ Johannisstraße 1 D – 48143 Münster, Germany Email: exc.graduiertenschule@uni-muenster.de

Please direct any further enquiries to the coordinator of the Graduate School, Robert Spät (exc.graduiertenschule@uni-muenster.de).