2 PhD scholarships
Applications are invited for two PhD scholarships at the Centre for Resolution of International Conflicts (CRIC), Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen; one of these is based at the Department of Political Science at Aalborg University (in Copenhagen). Employment is to begin 1 August 2013 or as negotiated.
CRIC is an interdisciplinary research centre funded for three years by the Danish Council for Strategic Research and aiming to strengthen the prevention and resolution of violent conflicts through developing analytical tools and practical techniques in collaboration with practitioners. Research is targeted specifically at two phases of conflict: the role of the past in protracted conflicts and third party possibilities for breaking spirals of escalation. A defining mark for the CRIC project will be an ambition to develop a synthesised theoretical understanding of conflict, particularly through a distinct conceptualisation of the social dynamics of emotions. Regionally, it will concentrate on the Levant and the Horn of Africa.
While based at the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, CRIC is a joint venture between department of Aesthetics and Communications, Aarhus University; Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy, CBS; the Centre for Contemporary Middle East Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, the Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen; and the Departments of Political Science at Aalborg University and University of Copenhagen. More information about CRIC can be found at www.cric.ku.dk.
Position I: One of the PhD scholarships is placed within the CRIC work package devoted to the development of conflict theory. The PhD project should compare and relate theoretical innovations from diverging research traditions within conflict studies like rational choice, social constructivism, and quantitative analysis. This meta-analysis of the field should be extended by an original contribution by way of case studies or theory building. This PhD will be based at the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, is co-funded by CRIC and the Department of Political Science and under the PhD status for the PhD program at Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen.For further information please contact Associate Professor Poul Poder (pp@soc.ku.dk).
Position II: The second PhD scholarship will focus on protracted conflicts and the remembrance, mutations and spill-overs of these conflicts. It will be part of a sub-project focusing on the Horn of Africa intended to 1) map the plethora of conflicts and their mutual links; 2) critically examine the various mediation and conflict resolution efforts to date for their (lack of) attention to collective memories and emotions; 3) drawing on experiences from other parts of the world and 4) devise strategies to improve external conflict interventions, especially with non-military instruments. It will be based at the Department of Political Science at Aalborg University-Copenhagen (however, with one semester´s stay at the CRIC centre) and will be jointly funded by CRIC and Aalborg University, to which the applications must be sent. For further information please contact professor Bjørn Møller (bm@dps.aau.dk, phone 9940 2692).
The role of these projects in the overall research strategy of CRIC can be ascertained from documents at www.cric.ku.dk. Applicants have to design and justify an individual project - the general descriptions above indicate fields to be covered, not the exact research questions to be answered. The research proposal should follow the general guidelines of the respective department and include key questions, theoretical framework, methodology and how your planned thesis will add to already existing research. The research proposal should also comprise a preliminary bibliography and a preliminary study plan. The applicant is expected to partake in the joint development of CRIC.
The applicant must have a MA. degree in political science, sociology, relevant regional studies, or the equivalent.The PhD program provides PhD students with strong research training, which opens up a window of opportunity to a variety of careers within the private and public sectors. The program includes the drafting of a PhD thesis, active participation in research networks, PhD courses, and teaching and other forms of knowledge dissemination.
More Information
Applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with the research programme of CRIC at www.cric.ku.dk
In order to be eligible for a scholarship in the 5+3 PhD study program the applicant must have completed a two year master´s degree program or have earned 120 ECTS credits at an equivalent academic level before starting his or her employment. Applicants should check the specific study programs for more detailed descriptions of the entry requirements. PhD students are paid a salary in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The PhD student has a work obligation of up to 840 hours over the 3 year period of time without additional pay. The work obligation can for instance include teaching.
- Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified people regardless of age, gender, race, religion, ethnic background and citizenship.
- In order to be awarded a PhD scholarship the applicant has to enrol as a PhD student at the Faculty of Social Sciences, cf. the rules of the Danish Ministerial Order No. 18 of 14 January 2008.
- An assessment committee will evaluate the applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee. When the assessment committee has finished the evaluation each applicant will receive the evaluation of his/her application.
line application: http://www.ku.dk/english/available_positions/vip/