PhD Candidate in Political Science

Södertörn University is a higher education institution in Stockholm that conducts education, research, and collaboration for sustainable societal development. We have around 14,000 students, 80 programmes, and 300 courses, and we conduct education and research in the humanities, social sciences, technology, and natural sciences. The university also offers police education and teacher education with an intercultural profile. A great deal of our research relates to the Baltic Sea region and Eastern Europe. We combine subjects, perspectives, people, and experiences, and are world-minded, curious, and questioning, searching for surprising syntheses, challenges, and development.

Political Science research at Södertörn University covers a wide range of topics, organised in three overarching themes: institutions (political parties, parliaments, governments, and governance); ideas (for example democracy, citizenship, justice, security, technology, and expertise); and identity (nationalism, migration, and community-building). Many of our projects focus on Eastern and Central Europe, Russia, the Nordic countries, and the European Union. Political Science staff and doctoral students are greatly involved in national and international research networks, as well as engaging in multidisciplinary cooperation through the Centre for the Study of Political Organisation.

Admission and Employment

This position includes admission to third-cycle education, i.e. research level, and employment on a doctoral studentship at the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University. The intended outcome for admitted students is a PhD. The programme covers 240 credits, which is the equivalent of four years of full-time study. The position may be extended by a maximum of one year due to the inclusion of departmental duties, i.e. education, research, and/or administration (equivalent to no more than 20% of full-time). Other grounds for extension could be leave of absence because of illness or for service in the defence forces, an elected position in a trade union/student organisation, or parental leave. Provisions relating to employment on a doctoral studentship are in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, Sections 1-7.

Date of Employment:

1 September 2026

Application Deadline:

11 February 2026 at 23:59

Further Information

Johan Eriksson, Professor of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, [email protected]
Liudmila Voronova, Director of Studies, School of Social Sciences, [email protected]
Florence Fröhlig, Director of Studies, Baltic and East European Graduate School (BEEGS), [email protected]
Lovisa Uttman, Human Resources Officer, School of Social Sciences, [email protected]