Job Offer - PhD Candidate in political science and comparative politics

Project POLLOT Description

The ideal candidate for the PhD fellowship will have a keen interest in empirical research, and in quantitative research methods, to answer questions in Comparative Politics and Historical Political Economy. Their research will benefit from drawing on newly digitised, historical data from various resources, libraries and archives, compiled as part of the POLLOT research project. The student will develop and conduct novel empirical analysis under the theme of the POLLOT project. They will benefit from the supervision of Dr Brenda Van Coppenolle (PI), from interactions with the broader POLLOT project research team, from the doctoral programme and support of the CEE at Sciences Po, and from insertion in a wider international research network. Candidates may be particularly interested in quantitative research methods to analyse historical natural experiments, as well as in designing and managing present-day online experiments.

The PhD research proposal should focus on one or several of the key historical cases of the POLLOT project, and/or on experimental research (https://www.sciencespo.fr/centre-etudes-europeennes/fr/node/38676.html). Within these broad parameters, the candidate may design an original research proposal and may also focus on related questions.

Supervision

The PhD fellow will be part of a research team led by PI Dr Brenda Van Coppenolle at Sciences Po, CEE, who will co-supervise the dissertation along with a senior member of the Political Science department.

PhD Programme

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the PhD programme of Sciences Po (School of Research/Ecole de la Recherche) and the work will result in a doctorate in political science.

Requirements:

Essential:

A Master's degree in Political Science (or a closely related discipline in the social sciences, e.g. Economics, history, social science research methods) with a substantive and methodological focus relevant to the project, completed or close to completion.*

Excellent academic track record

Advanced-level quantitative analysis skills: Demonstrable training and experience using quantitative research methods and techniques.*

Advanced-level data processing skills: Proven ability of social science data entry, management and analysis skills with Stata or R; General digital literacy and experience with Python is desirable.*

A keen interest as well as some research experience in some of the relevant subjects is desirable: historical political economy, historical empirical research, (natural) experiments in political science, political representation, political inequality, political institutions, elections, lotteries, or political parties.*

Proficiency in English: Good oral and written communication skills (for academic research).*

Experience with writing up research findings.*

Ability to take initiative, self-manage and contribute intellectually to the project.

Ability to work as part of a team, and independently.

Attention to detail.*

Desirable:

• Some knowledge of French (the PhD candidate will be based at Sciences Po in Paris).
• Reading proficiency in at least one more of the following languages would be an
• advantage: French, German, Danish, or Dutch.
• Some experience with (designing and conducting) experiments or moderating focus groups would be an advantage.
• A good qualitative understanding of the historical cases under study in the project, or a willingness to learn.
• Some experience with Python; general digital literacy (including for example knowledge of LaTeX)
• Experience in writing reports for funders.

(*Criteria to be used to shortlist candidates for interview)

We offer

• In addition to the benefits of forming part of the POLLOT research team, Sciences Po offers:
• Internationally competitive salary for 36 months
• Funding for international conference attendance to present project results
• Optional teaching opportunities
• An academically stimulating working environment