Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Political Science, with a focus on feminist foreign policy, anti-gender foreign policy and

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Political Science is an open and socially engaged institution, in the middle of the city and in the middle of the debate. Our research revolves around elections, democracy, corruption, forms of government, globalization, the environment and politics, as well as European issues. The department hosts research programs such as the Center for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), the QoG Institute, Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Governance and Local Development (GLD) and the Swedish Electoral Research Program. We have education at all levels, undergraduate advanced level and postgraduate level, as well as independent courses. Teaching is given in both Swedish and English. In total, about 1,400 people study with us. The Department of Political Science has around 160 employees.

Gender and Diplomacy (GenDip) is led by Professor Ann Towns (Director) and is financed by the Swedish Research Council, Knut & Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the University of Gothenburg. GenDip’s homepage is found HERE . The general aim of GenDip is to examine the changing nature of gender within diplomacy. GenDip consists of a group of researchers, PhD students, Master students and interns at the Department of Political Science of the University of Gothenburg. GenDip also coordinates a global research network and convenes international workshops biannually on gender and diplomacy.

The Department of Political Science invites applications for a post-doctoral fellow, to conduct research within “Diplomacy and the International Polarization on Gender Equality,” funded by Gender and Diplomacy (GenDip). This is a 3-year position, 100% of full-time with a starting date as early as possible in 2023.

Subject area

Political science

Subject area description

Political science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, nation, government, and politics and policies of government on a national and international perspective.

Job assignment

The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop their independence as a researcher after completing their doctoral degree and to create the conditions for further qualifications. The person employed as a postdoctoral fellow will mainly conduct research. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of the working time.

The Postdoctoral research fellow will conduct their own research within the scope of the main themes of the research project, in collaboration with the research director and with other scholars in the team. More specifically, (s)he will collect data, provide analyses and publish original research within the project.

The project “Diplomacy and the International Polarization on Gender Equality” addresses the place of diplomacy in the emerging and increasing international schisms around gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. Polarizing developments, with foreign policies devoted either to advance or combat gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights, raises crucial questions for diplomacy scholarship. For instance, how have Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFAs) adapted institutionally in order to pursue pro/anti-gender foreign policy? How do diplomats implement such foreign policy in practice, bilaterally and/or multilaterally, around the world? What arenas (bilateral, multilateral, geographical, etc) are prioritized for pro/anti-gender foreign policy? What kinds of diplomatically relevant interests, identities, practices, norms and/or social hierarchies, etc, are promoted, reproduced or changed in the pursuit of feminist or anti-gender foreign policy, and how? The overarching aim of this research project is to examine, compare and provide theoretically innovative analyses of how diplomacy, MFAs and diplomats of pro- and anti-gender states adapt to and manage the international polarization on gender equality. We are interested in theoretical, methodological and empirical diversity in GenDip, so we welcome proposals that are macro-, meso- or microanalytical, qualitative and/or quantitative, and with theoretical approaches that align or contrast with our own. An empirical focus on Latin American or Asian diplomatic contexts is advantageous but not required.

One of GenDip’s strengths is the flexibility and collaborative spirit of everyone in the research group, simultaneously focusing on the productivity of each member and on reaching the goals of the research program. The Postdoc is expected to be an active and collaborative participant in the GenDip research environment. For this position, there is a service component (up to 20% of FTE) which includes some combination of teaching and/or doing research service (e.g. gathering and coding data for use by all GenDip members, data management, managing respondent contacts, participating in the writing of research funding applications, and more). The fellow is expected to reside in Gothenburg for the duration of the fellowship.

Eligibility

To be eligible to be employed as a postdoctoral fellow, the candidate must have completed a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject by the date the employment decision is made (the end of November, 2022). In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years before the end of the application period should be considered. Candidates who have completed their degree earlier can be considered if there are special reasons.

For more information regarding eligibility please visit The appointment procedure GU 2022/38

Assessment

Candidates must have a doctoral degree in, preferably, political science or a related discipline. We are looking for candidates with previous experience of research in connection with the research area described above.

Applications will be evaluated primarily on demonstrated research excellence in research on diplomacy, public administration and/or international political sociology with a particular view towards areas of relevance to the GenDip project. One or more of the following scientific skills are also meritorious;

• A well-developed and innovative proposal of high scientific quality, for a research project that falls within the new GenDip project (briefly described above).
• Advanced methodological skills (qualitative or quantitative).
• Theoretical sophistication and innovativeness.
• Demonstrated research expertise in some of the following: diplomacy, foreign policy, feminist foreign policy, anti-gender politics, gender and politics, non-Western foreign policy, non-Western diplomacy.

Applicants must have excellent written and oral proficiency in English.

To be successful in this position, you must have an eye for detail, good organizational skills and be able to solve problems. You need to have very high communication and collaboration skills.

Great emphasis is placed on personal suitability for the position. We will make an overall assessment and the applicant who is considered to be best qualified to carry out and develop the tasks described above will be appointed to the position.

Employment 

The employment is limited (temporary) for 3 years, , 100% of full-time and is currently placed at the Department of Political Science. Starting date by agreement in 2023.

Contact information for the post 

If you have questions regarding the employment, or details about the projects in which this position is organized, please contact Ann Towns, ann.towns@gu.se

If you have any questions regarding the employment procedure, please contact Helena Jensen, Helena.Jensen@gu.se

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande  

Application 

To apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to create an account in our recruitment system. Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

We kindly ask you to write your application in English as the application may be reviewed by English-speaking staff. The selection process will include interviews and reference-taking.

The application should include the following:

• A letter of application (max 2 pages), which should include a self-evaluation of how the applicant’s background and proposed research agenda would contribute to the GenDip research program, and the ways in which the applicant meets the requirements specified above
• A CV (including a list of publications)
• Research proposal (max 3 pages) outlining a project within the general GenDip program on the place of diplomacy in the polarizing dynamic around gender equality
• One writing sample (an article or chapter written by the applicant)
• A list of at least three references (with contact information) from whom letters of recommendation can be solicited

Applications must be received by: 2022-11-04

Invitations for interviews will be made by November 11, 2022.

Decision on to whom the position is offered will be made in the end of November, 2022.

Starting date: flexible – as early as possible – in 2023.

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.