MSRC Doctoral Fellowship: Democratic Resistance and Mobilising Civil Society

Department

The Department of Politics at the University of York, UK seeks applications for a doctoral candidate position under the MSCA-Doctoral Network: ‘Understanding Latin American Challenges in the 21st Century (LAC-EU)’. The selected candidates will be required to enrol in York’s PhD training programme.

Funded under the EU Horizon Europe and the UKRI Guarantee, the LAC-EU doctoral network explores challenges in Latin American governance. The program offers students an exceptional opportunity to engage in network-wide training and acquire a broad range of research-focused and transferable skills across Europe and LAC.

To be eligible, you must have not been awarded a doctoral degree or have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months on 1 October 2024 or in the preceding 3 years. Short stays, such as holidays, do not count.

The post is full-time and is available from 1^st October 2024 to 30th September 2027 on a fixed-term contract.

Role

To undertake a PhD with the project title of Democratic resistance and mobilising civil society.

The objectives are:

• Explore and compare the new politics of civil society in LAC in response to the rise of populism and the persistence of authoritarian and illiberal practices within LAC states and societies.
• Consider international networking as a possible resistance strategy, including within Europe, identify and discuss different civil society practices in Argentina and Brazil in favour of democracy and in defence of democratic norms.
• Contribute theoretically and empirically to a better understanding of the challenges of embedding democratic practices in LAC, and practices of resistance to de-democratization.
• Provide support to the research in York and to the project as a whole and assist with its day to day operations

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

• Master’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Politics, or cognate disciplines
• Knowledge of relevant subject area
• Excellent  Spanish and English
• Experience, interest and enthusiasm of and for working in the project area
• Ability to undertake academic research,including preparing, setting up, conducting and recording of field work, the development of questionnaires and conducting surveys
• Ability to organise own research activities to agreed deadlines and quality standards
• Excellent IT and social media skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to enable the effective presentation of research and outcomes to key stakeholders
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Positive attitude to colleagues and students
• Willingness to work proactively with colleagues in other work areas/institutions
• Ability to plan and prioritise own work in order to meet deadlines 
• Commitment to personal development and updating of knowledge and skills  

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Professor Jean Grugle (jean.grugel@york.ac.uk)

The University strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves.

We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University. 

We offer family friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. #EqualityatYork

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