项目介绍

2024年2月20日

 Create job alertApply now »

PhD candidate in Political Science ‘Investment agreements and environmental protections

The Institute of Political Science of Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences invites applicants for the position of a 

PhD Candidate in Political Science ‘Investment agreements and environmental protections’  (1.0 fte)
Vacancy number 14582

Key responsibilities
The PhD researcher will be part of a new project which focuses on the connection between international agreements and implementation of environmental policies. The project will begin by exploring whether international investment agreements make it harder for developing states to address local and global environmental damage. The planned start is September 2024.

The research is hosted at the Institute of Political Science at Leiden University and will take place under the supervision of Dr Michael Sampson (principal investigator), Dr Matthew Di Giuseppe, and Dr Christina Toenshoff.

As part of the position of PhD researcher, candidates will receive PhD research training and funding for training at the ECPR methods school. Candidates will be expected to teach two courses per year, usually as tutorial instructor.

The Tension Between Growth and Environmental Protection
One of the most pressing challenges in the global economy today is how developing states can balance their efforts to address climate change with their need for rapid economic growth. International investment agreements are at the nexus of this tension because while they support growth by attracting investment, they are effective because they signal a commitment by governments not to engage in certain activities. The research will begin by exploring in what ways (formal and informal) the design of these agreements limit the policy options of signatory states with respect to their environmental policies. The PhD researcher will be given scope to pursue their own research interests within this framework.

Selection criteria

• Applicants must hold (or be near completing) a (research) master’s degree in political science or in a relevant discipline. 
• Applicants have an interest in international organizations and/or international political economy and are motivated to do political science research.
• Applicants meet the English language requirements of the Graduate School of the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. 

Considered a plus

• Applicants possess a working understanding of French, Portuguese, or Spanish.
• Applicants have previously conducted research on international institutions and/or environmental policies.
• Applicants have prior familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
   

Research at our Faculty/Institute 
Leiden University’s Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences comprises five institutes: Political Science, Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Cultural Anthropology & Development Sociology and the Centre for Science and Technology Studies. The Faculty is home to 7,000 students and 1000 members of staff. Its teaching and research programmes cover diverse topics varying from adoption to political behaviour. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/social-behavioural-sciences. 

The Institute of Political Science has a strong research tradition in various areas of comparative, Dutch and international politics, as well as political theory. The Institute has around 85 academic staff, including many non-Dutch scholars, and houses a number of editorships of international refereed journals and book series. Members of the institute are also involved in a number of the university’s multi-disciplinary research centres, including Central and East European Studies, International Relations, Parties and Representation, Political Philosophy, Centrum voor Nederlandse Politiek en Bestuur and ReCNTR. The Institute is based in Leiden and in The Hague, where a large part of the teaching is done.

The Institute offers a range of programmes at the Bachelor and Master levels and also trains PhD students in political science. The BSc programmes include general Political Science (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), International Politics (in Dutch & English, in Leiden), and International Relations and Organisations (in English, in The Hague). The one-year MSc programme (taught mostly in English) includes five specialisations in Leiden and one in The Hague.

Terms and conditions
The position starts on 1st September 2024. We offer a full-time PhD position. The salary is € 2,770.- to € 3,539.- gross per month (pay scale P, in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with an additional holiday bonus (8% of annual salary) and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual salary), training and career development. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions.

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High quality teaching and research is always inclusive. 

Information
Further enquiries can be directed to Michael Sampson email: m.d.sampson@fsw.leidenuniv.nl 

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than 23:59 CET on April 1st via the blue button of our application system.

• Applicants should submit online:
• A motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
• An academic CV
• A sample paper, article, or master’s thesis
• The names and contact details of two people who can be contacted directly to submit recommendation letters. Please note that no reference letters have to be submitted at the application stage, but these will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

Interviews will take place during the week of 13th-17th May. You are kindly requested to be available during this period.