Doctoral student in Political Science, one or two, for a research programme on environmental governa

Om jobbet

The University of Gothenburg tackles society's challenges with diverse knowledge. 58 000 students and 6800 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.

Doctoral position in Political Science, one or two, for a research programme on environmental governance and corruption

The Department of Political Science is an open and socially engaged institution, in the middle of the city and at the centre of the debate. Our research revolves around elections, democracy, corruption, forms of government, globalization, the environment and politics, and European politics. The department hosts research programs such as the Center for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS), Quality of Government (QoG), Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem), Governance and Local Development (GLD) and the Swedish Electoral Research Program. We offer education at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate. Teaching is offered in both Swedish and English. In total, about 1,400 people study with us. The Department of Political Science has around 180 employees. For more information about the Department, please visit our website, https://www.gu.se/en/political-science.

The Department of Political Science is currently looking for one or two highly qualified and motivated individuals for a doctoral studentship (PhD position) in Political Science. The position is linked to a research programme focused on capture, corruption, and crime in environmental governance.

General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages.

https://www.gu.se/en/doctoral-studies

Duties

The doctoral position is funded by Mistra CLEAN, a research programme focused on examining the connections between institutional failures and environmental challenges in Sweden and beyond. The programme addresses two major societal issues: institutional failures - such as corruption, policy capture, and crime - and environmental problems, as well as the linkages between these processes. Its overarching aim is to generate both theoretical and empirical insights into these phenomena.

The programme has four objectives (1) deliver a comprehensive mapping of capture, corruption, and crime in Swedish environmental governance; (2) conduct empirical studies of causes and consequences of institutional failure, with selective international comparisons; (3) co-produce diagnostic tools (survey-based and AI-enhanced) to assess vulnerabilities and strengthen institutional resilience in public and private organizations; and (4) train a new cohort of scholars via PhD and postdoc positions and cross-disciplinary doctoral courses.

The programme has six work packages of which two - WP2 (Vulnerability analysis and corruption risks) and WP4 (Environmental impacts of institutional failure) - are based in Gothenburg. The aim of WP2 is to identify where and why institutional corruption risks arise across environmental sectors in Sweden. We analyze the formal and informal rules that structure decision-making, the constellation of stakeholders that shape incentives, and the strength of watchdogs that protect transparency and accountability. WP2 also assesses forward-looking risks linked to the green transition.

The aim of WP4 is to examine how institutional failure produces environmental degradation and to identify mechanisms that give policymakers actionable levers to counteract these problems. Beyond overt corruption, we address the "grey zone" of lobbying, close regulator-industry ties (including politicians and scientists), and risks transmitted through global value chains that link Swedish companies to high-corruption contexts.

We aim to admit and fund a one or two, well-qualified and highly motivated individual(s) to work on research topics broadly related to Mistra CLEAN. We are interested in applicants who are well-grounded in political science and enthusiastic about the programme's focus areas. We welcome applicants with diverse methodological or thematic interests. The ability to collaborate effectively in teams is considered an asset.

The successful applicant(s) is/are expected to design and develop an independent research project that aligns with Mistra CLEAN's objectives and the broader themes of the programme. While the project should relate to the programme's research focus, the doctoral student will have substantial freedom to define their own specific area of interest. Applicants are encouraged to propose original ideas connected to the programme's overarching themes and will also have the opportunity to contribute to already planned studies within Mistra CLEAN.

The admitted student(s) will write the(ir) doctoral dissertation(s) within the programme's broader research aims and actively participate in its activities. The working language within the programme and at the Department of Political Science is English. The research programme provides strong support for data collection, conference participation, and other forms of international networking.

The programme's researchers at the Department of Political Science, are also affiliated with the Quality of Government (QoG) Institute and the Centre for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS). These two environments consist of about 30 researchers and have broad national and international networks. Besides being part of a cohort of PhD students in political science in Gothenburg, the successful candidates will have opportunities to take part in activities of the larger research programme, involving researchers active in the programme at Södertörn University and the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm.

The aim of a doctoral studentship is to help the student acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research independently within political science and to contribute to the development of knowledge within the discipline by writing a dissertation. Another aim is for doctoral students to develop the ability to apply their knowledge and skills in post-doctoral research or in other professional roles. For more information on the structure of our PhD program and on the work assignments of doctoral students, please see our website.

Doctoral studies comprises four years of full-time study, and leads to a doctoral degree.

As part of your employment as a doctoral student, you may have departmental duties corresponding to up to 20 % of full-time employment, distributed throughout your study period, and result in a corresponding extension of the studies. Departmental duties usually consist of teaching at first- and second-cycle levels, but may also include research and administration.

Eligibility

Doctoral education requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.

The general eligibility requirements for doctoral studies are:

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or
3. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

According to the Higher Education Ordinance Ch.7, Sec.40, and the General Syllabus for Third-Cycle Studies in Political Science, GU 2024/3687, an applicant meets thespecific entry requirementsif he/she has obtained at least 60 higher education credits (one year of full-time studies) in Political Science or has equivalent qualifications.

Studies at the second-cycle level in other social sciences or related disciplines may be considered equivalent in terms of scope and depth.

Please note that we cannot provide any information on the eligibility of individual applicants before the application deadline has passed.

Assessment criteria

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on the ability to assimilate the doctoral studies.

We will primarily base this assessment on the following:

1. A working sample, which will be assessed in terms of ability to formulate, delimit, and analyze a research problem and to present novel research findings.
2. A statement concerning the intended research project laying out the applicant's research interests and describing the intended topic of the doctoral thesis. The statement must demonstrate familiarity with previous and current research and an ability to formulate scientific problems. Maximum 2.500 words (approx. 6 pages).
3. Academic transcripts.
4. Previous merits.
5. The selection process includes interviews.
6. We may ask applicants to provide letters of recommendations at a later stage in the process.

Admission and employment

Once you have been admitted to doctoral studies, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.

A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at doctoral level for four years.

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, four years full time

Extent: 100% (full-time)

Placement: Department of Political Science, Gothenburg

Starting date: 2026-09-01

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.

Please note, doctoral studies at the Department of Political Science require physical presence to conduct the studies. If the admitted applicant needs a residence permit for higher education to pursue studies in Sweden, the Department of Political Science has the right to revoke the admission decision if the applicant cannot present a valid residence permit no later than at the start of the studies.

Selection process

All applications will be screened by an admission committee led by the Director of Studies for the PhD Program. The formal decision on admission is taken by the Head of Department. The final admission decision will be announced during the month of April. The decision cannot be appealed.

Contact information

Kristina Gurok, program coordinator
E-Mail: phdprogram@pol.gu.se
Phone: +46 31 786 5855

Johannes Lindvall, Assistant Head of Department, responsible for the PhD programme
E-Mail: johannes.lindvall@gu.se
Phone: +46 31 786 1224

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

You can apply to be admitted to doctoral education via the University of Gothenburg's recruitment portal.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per this notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.

The application must be in English. To be complete, the application must include:

1. An introductory letter of 1.000 words maximum (approx. 2 pages), preferably shorter. The letter should consist of four paragraphs in the following order:
   
   • a short presentation of yourself,
   • a short presentation of your qualifications,
   • a short presentation of the intended research project, and
   • a short statement concerning why the Department of Political Science and its the doctoral studies program is of interest to you.
2. CV including a list of publications (if applicable).
3. One writing sample. Normally, this would be a master's thesis, but it could also be a revised version of the thesis, or another paper, article or book chapter for example, or equivalent work. The writing sample must be submitted in Swedish or English. Any translated versions must be accompanied by the original text and translated in their entirety.
4. A description of the intended research project indicating the applicant's research interests and planned focus area of his/her thesis and research. The project description must demonstrate familiarity with previous and current research as well as an ability to formulate scientific problems. 2.500 words maximum (approx. 6 pages) including abstract, excluding bibliography. Further instructions can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/political-science/doctoral-studies/open-for-application-doctoral-studentship-positions.
5. Verified copies of academic transcripts and evidence of other relevant qualifications, if applicable. Please note that you need to submit detailed academic transcripts that specify your finished courses, credits and degrees. If English is not the original language, you need to submit both the original and an English translation. For degree transcripts from universities within the EU, please provide a diploma supplement. Please note that you need to provide transcripts for your previous studies at both the bachelor and master levels.
6. Applicants may be asked to provide recommendation letters later in the process. Please do not submit any recommendation letters before we contact you and explicitly ask for them. However, it may be a good idea to get in touch with two persons who could write a recommendation letter for you and ask them to prepare to submit the letters following the instructions. Instructions with regards to format and content can be found here: https://www.gu.se/en/political-science/doctoral-studies/open-for-applicationdoctoral-studentship-positions.

Applications must be received by: 29 January 2026

Information for International Applicants

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit:

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

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.