Postdoctoral Fellow in Political Science (University of Gothenburg)

Reference number: PAR 2025/617 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 researchers 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 international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research covers topics such as political institutions, elections, public opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental politics, corruption and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg is ranked as the best in Sweden and one of the top 10-15 in Europe in its subject area, according to the global Shanghai ranking of academic subjects for 2024. We organize a large number of research seminars and workshops each year in the various research areas of the department. We offer education at all levels in both Swedish and English. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have around 170 employees. For more information about the Department, visit: www.pol.gu.se The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg invites applications for one or more postdoctoral positions (100% of full-time), for 2 years with the possibility of extension up to three years, offering applicants an opportunity to join an ambitious research project on representation and public opinion. The Research Project The position is part of the project “Fem-LEAD: Female Leaders and Effects from African Droughts”, led by Associate Professor Aksel Sundström and funded by an ERC Starting Grant. The Fem-LEAD project seeks to understand the connections between natural disasters and women’s political standing in politics. It focuses on climate shocks, public opinion, and political representation. How and why do such events affect citizens’ demand for female politicians? How and why do they affect the supply of female candidates and the presence of elected women? The project studies a combination of public opinion data: observational surveys, in-depth interviews, and survey experiments. It studies political representation, with access to unique data on women as local candidates and representatives in multiple countries. The project has designed studies where high-quality data is available. There are also good opportunities to design creative studies with different theoretical and methodological approaches, and the project has funds for ambitious data collection. Beyond its specific aims, work within the project can be extended to study processes related to this topic, e.g., additional geographic regions, how other types of shocks affect attitudes and representation, how to understand the effects of disasters on broader political variables, or how to see effects of women's political presence on different outcomes. Successful candidates will become part of a cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and will be well-integrated into a large department with the leading research environment of the Quality of Government (QoG) Institute and the Gothenburg Research Group on Elections, Public Opinion, and Political Behavior (GEPOP). Duties The employment as a postdoctoral fellow aims to give the employee an early opportunity to develop independence as a researcher after completing the doctoral degree and to create conditions for further qualifications. The postdoctoral fellow must mainly conduct research. Teaching can be included in the work duties, but to a maximum of one-fifth of working time. Responsibilities include: Conducting research as part of the Fem-LEAD project, including data collection, analysis, and co-authoring studies. Designing data collection strategies to understand women’s political standing. Engaging in collaborative research with Aksel Sundström and other members of the group. Expanding the project's focus within the framework of the postdoctoral fellow's interests and specialization. Participating in conferences, additional training, and developing a strong academic network. Eligibility Eligible candidates must have a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. Preference is given to those who have completed their degree within the last three years, though others may be considered if there are special reasons. Applicants are expected to have: Specialization in gender and politics, political representation, public opinion, or African politics (an asset). Experience in quantitative methods (Stata or R); skills in survey experiments, geospatial data, and comparative survey data are a merit. Keen interest in collaborative research in the Fem-LEAD project. Ability to produce high-quality and high-impact research independently and in a team. Excellent spoken and written English skills. High attention to detail, organizational skills, problem-solving ability, and collaboration skills. Employment Duration: 2 years, with possibility of extension up to three years. Full-time (100%), placed at the Department of Political Science. Starting date: 1st February 2026 or as agreed. Selection process may include interviews, reference checks, and work tests in English. Interviews are scheduled for the first week of December. Application Submit applications via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. Applications must include: Letter of application (max 2 pages) explaining interest and contribution to Fem-LEAD. Outline of potential research ideas relevant to the project (2-3 pages, excluding references). CV, including list of publications. One writing sample of typical article length. List of at least three references with contact information. Application deadline: 2025-11-17 Contact Information Questions about the employment/project: Aksel Sundström, aksel.sundstrom@pol.gu.se Questions about the employment procedure: Helena Jensen, Helena.Jensen@gu.se Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found via the University’s website. Additional Information Salaries are set individually. The University actively promotes diversity and equal conditions. Application documents will be archived for two years after the appointment is filled. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

Reference number: PAR 2025/617

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 researchers 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 international academic environment that welcomes students, researchers, and staff from all over the world. Our research covers topics such as political institutions, elections, public opinion and democracy, international and European politics, environmental politics, corruption and political ideas. The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg is ranked as the best in Sweden and one of the top 10-15 in Europe in its subject area, according to the global Shanghai ranking of academic subjects for 2024. We organize a large number of research seminars and workshops each year in the various research areas of the department. We offer education at all levels in both Swedish and English. In total, around 1,400 people study with us, and we have around 170 employees.

For more information about the Department, visit: www.pol.gu.se

The Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg invites applications for one or more postdoctoral positions (100% of full-time), for 2 years with the possibility of extension up to three years, offering applicants an opportunity to join an ambitious research project on representation and public opinion.

The Research Project

The position is part of the project “Fem-LEAD: Female Leaders and Effects from African Droughts”, led by Associate Professor Aksel Sundström and funded by an ERC Starting Grant.

The Fem-LEAD project seeks to understand the connections between natural disasters and women’s political standing in politics. It focuses on climate shocks, public opinion, and political representation. How and why do such events affect citizens’ demand for female politicians? How and why do they affect the supply of female candidates and the presence of elected women?

The project studies a combination of public opinion data: observational surveys, in-depth interviews, and survey experiments. It studies political representation, with access to unique data on women as local candidates and representatives in multiple countries.

The project has designed studies where high-quality data is available. There are also good opportunities to design creative studies with different theoretical and methodological approaches, and the project has funds for ambitious data collection.

Beyond its specific aims, work within the project can be extended to study processes related to this topic, e.g., additional geographic regions, how other types of shocks affect attitudes and representation, how to understand the effects of disasters on broader political variables, or how to see effects of women's political presence on different outcomes.

Successful candidates will become part of a cutting-edge research project, a vibrant and supportive research team, and will be well-integrated into a large department with the leading research environment of the Quality of Government (QoG) Institute and the Gothenburg Research Group on Elections, Public Opinion, and Political Behavior (GEPOP).

Duties

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

Responsibilities include:

Conducting research as part of the Fem-LEAD project, including data collection, analysis, and co-authoring studies.
Designing data collection strategies to understand women’s political standing.
Engaging in collaborative research with Aksel Sundström and other members of the group.
Expanding the project's focus within the framework of the postdoctoral fellow's interests and specialization.
Participating in conferences, additional training, and developing a strong academic network.

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have a doctorate in political science or a closely related subject at the latest at the time the employment decision is made. Preference is given to those who have completed their degree within the last three years, though others may be considered if there are special reasons.

Applicants are expected to have:

Specialization in gender and politics, political representation, public opinion, or African politics (an asset).
Experience in quantitative methods (Stata or R); skills in survey experiments, geospatial data, and comparative survey data are a merit.
Keen interest in collaborative research in the Fem-LEAD project.
Ability to produce high-quality and high-impact research independently and in a team.
Excellent spoken and written English skills.
High attention to detail, organizational skills, problem-solving ability, and collaboration skills.

Employment

Duration: 2 years, with possibility of extension up to three years.
Full-time (100%), placed at the Department of Political Science.
Starting date: 1st February 2026 or as agreed.

Selection process may include interviews, reference checks, and work tests in English. Interviews are scheduled for the first week of December.

Application

Submit applications via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. Applications must include:

Letter of application (max 2 pages) explaining interest and contribution to Fem-LEAD.
Outline of potential research ideas relevant to the project (2-3 pages, excluding references).
CV, including list of publications.
One writing sample of typical article length.
List of at least three references with contact information.

Application deadline: 2025-11-17

Contact Information

Questions about the employment/project: Aksel Sundström, aksel.sundstrom@pol.gu.se
Questions about the employment procedure: Helena Jensen, Helena.Jensen@gu.se

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found via the University’s website.

Additional Information

Salaries are set individually.
The University actively promotes diversity and equal conditions.
Application documents will be archived for two years after the appointment is filled.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Socioloxy

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