The University of Freiburg invites applications for Two doctoral fellowships in the new pan-European doctoral network ‘The International Dimensions and Effects of Populism’ (IDEoPOP)
Call for Applications IDEoPOP
The University of Freiburg invites applications for two doctoral fellowships in the new pan-European doctoral network ‘The International Dimensions and Effects of Populism’ (IDEoPOP).
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), IDEoPOP explores how populism intersects with both domestic and international politics and how it impacts international politics. Under the guidance of some of the leading scholars in this area, the doctoral candidates will be trained in the study of the international dimensions and effects of populism.
IDEoPOP offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral programme imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided jointly by seven academic partners: University of Freiburg (Germany), Sciences Po Paris (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Bilkent University (Turkey), University of Genoa (Italy), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and University of Bath (UK). Moreover, doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic and policy-relevant solutions to the challenges posed by populism in international politics via temporary assignments to renowned think tanks (Institute of International Relations Prague, International Youth Think Tank in Gothenburg, Institute for International Economic Relations in Athens, BRICS Policy Center in Rio de Janeiro, Stiftung Genshagen near Berlin, and Institut Jacques Delors in Paris).
The comprehensive training in IDEoPOP will prepare doctoral candidates for careers in academia, think tanks, government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs dealing with issues of democracy and international cooperation.
Benefits
IDEoPOP offers PhD candidates an exceptional opportunity to become part of a pan-European doctoral network. They will acquire a broad range of research-focused skills in direct cooperation with established scholars of an emerging, highly topical research field. Their employability is further strengthened through secondments at associated think tanks.
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellows are offered a full-time, three-year contract. An attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates is offered. The monthly gross salary includes 3342,20€ per month Living Allowance, 600€ Mobility Allowance and 660€ per month Familiy Allowance (if applicable). Please note that all compulsory national contributions (social security, pension, insurances, taxes etc.) to be borne by the employer and employee shall be deducted from the abovementioned amount in line with MSCA rules.
Requirements
We seek two highly motivated early-stage researchers who hold a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related discipline and possess excellent theoretical and empirical skills. Proficiency in English is a requirement. Applications should be directed at a particular PhD project. If you apply for more than one position within the IDEoPOP network, please submit your applications separately to each institution, mentioning for which other position in the network you also applied.
Doctoral candidates’ recruitment is subject to the mobility rule. Applicants may be nationals of Member States, Associated Countries, or any other third country. Additionally, the applicant must not have lived or worked in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to their date of recruitment, excluding short stays such as holidays.
Applicants who hold a doctorate at the date of recruitment are ineligible.
The selected candidates should ideally begin their PhD enrolment/employment in early 2025.
Position Doctoral Candidate DC2
Title of the project: Populists in power in the Global South and the ‘liberal international order’
Project description: Populism has frequently been described as undermining the so-called liberal international order. At the same time, emerging powers from the Global South have been considered to be challengers of such order. This dissertation will focus on populists in power in the Global South, addressing how they contest the liberal international order. Via a cross-regional comparative analysis of the international engagement of countries such as India, Mexico or Brazil under populist governments, this project will study which understandings of economic openness, democracy and human rights, and rules-based multilateralism are privileged by populist governments of emerging powers from the Global South.
First supervisor: Prof. Dr. Sandra Destradi, University of Freiburg
Second supervisor: Professor Fredrik Söderbaum, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Planned secondments: 3 months at University of Gothenburg; 2 months internship at BRICS Policy Center, Rio de Janeiro.
Position Doctoral Candidate DC9
Title of the project: Populist politicization of foreign policy
Project description: This dissertation project will focus on how populists politicize foreign policy by bringing international issues into domestic political debates and using them to mobilize domestic political support. The close link between foreign policy and domestic politics is one of the most important features of populist foreign policy. The dissertation will explore the mechanisms of politicization of foreign policy by carrying out a comparative analysis of the cases such as those of Italy and Poland.
First supervisor: Prof. Dr. Sandra Destradi, University of Freiburg
Second supervisor: Prof. Natasza Styczyńska, Jagiellonian University
Planned secondments: 3 months at Jagiellonian University, Krakow; 2 months internship at Notre Europe - Institut Jacques Delors, Paris.
Documentation to be sent in by the applicants
The position is limited to 31. January 2028.
Please send your application in English including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number 00003985, by 22. November 2024 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:
exclusively via the link on the application portal
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Sandra Destradi on the phone number +49 761 3465 or E-Mail sandra.destradi@politik.uni-freiburg.de.