2 PhD candidates within Peace and Conflict Research (DIViNE)

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research was established in 1971 to conduct peace research and offer courses in peace and conflict studies. The department hosts a dynamic research milieu and is internationally oriented. Currently approx. 90 persons are employed at the Department and some 1000 students from around the world are enrolled every academic year. For more information, visit our website at www.pcr.uu.se.

The Department of Peace and Conflict Research is looking to recruit two PhD candidates to join the Doctoral Network: Democratic Institutions and Violence Network in Europe (DIViNE), funded by the EU HORIZON MSCA action. Democracies are commonly seen as able to channel contestation through institutionalized processes and nonviolent action. Yet, democratic polities frequently experience a broad range of political violence — from riots and organized electoral intimidation to extremist mobilization and criminal violence — and violence can test and, at times, erode democratic norms and institutions. Moreover, democracies themselves may respond to perceived threats with measures (e.g., militarized policing, emergency legislation, selective repression) that threaten to undermine core features of liberal democracy such as the rule of law, civil liberties and institutional impartiality.

To explore these challenges, the DIViNE Doctoral Network brings together leading European research environments – UvA (Amsterdam), UESSEX (Essex), UMIL (Milan), UC3M (Carlos III de Madrid) and UU (Uppsala) to combine the institutions’ complementary strengths in quantitative conflict research, behavioral and experimental methods, historical and archival inquiry, institutional and normative theory, and applied policy engagement.

The two PhD candidates at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University (UU) will be part of a network of 10 PhD candidates across these five universities. 

We are seeking to fill:

• One PhD position in peace and conflict research with a focus on institutional reform, violence, and democratic consolidation.
  
• One PhD position in peace and conflict research with a focus on public support for political violence in advanced democracies.

Work Description:

PhD position with a focus on institutional reform, violence, and democratic consolidation: This PhD position (DC 5 in the DIViNE network) will examine how reforms enacted during democratic transitions (e.g., transitional justice mechanisms, decentralization, land and territorial reform, constitutional redesign, power sharing) influence incentives for violence and reconciliation. The PhD student is to pursue research on this theme, but is free to define and develop their project idea within the parameters of the project. They should submit a project plan on this topic as part of the application. Empirical work can combine quantitative analysis of cross-national and event-level data, with case-based qualitative research. The project will contribute to theory on reform sequencing, violent legacies, and institutional consolidation. The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Essex. In addition, a non-academic secondment at CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs) will provide opportunities for policy-oriented research and experience in policy engagement and strategic communication. The doctoral candidate will be part of working group 2 in DIViNE.

PhD position with a focus on public support for political violence in advanced democracies: This PhD position (DC 7 in the DIViNE network) will focus on the micro-foundations of public support for, and tolerance of, political violence. The PhD project will investigate the drivers of public support for political violence in advanced democracies and the strategies through which violent actors (state and non-state) cultivate legitimacy. The PhD student is to pursue research on this theme, but is free to define and develop their project idea within the parameters of the project. They should submit a project plan on this topic as part of the application. Empirical work can employ survey experiments, content and framing analysis, and cross-country or country-specific comparative research. The doctoral trajectory includes a research stay at the University of Milan. In addition, a non-academic secondment at the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands will provide opportunities for policy-oriented research and experience in policy engagement and strategic communication. The doctoral candidate will be part of working group 3 in DIViNE.

PhD candidates primarily focus on their own doctoral education. In addition to conducting PhD research, the successful applicant is expected to take an active part in DIViNE training network activities including network training modules, PhD colloquia, research workshops, and secondments. A maximum of 20% of the position may involve other administrative and educational responsibilities at the Department.

Qualifications:
Employment as a PhD candidate requires acceptance into the DPCR’s PhD program, which is decided through an evaluation of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete the program and suitability to the announced call. Information concerning applications, acceptance guidelines, and other related matters may be obtained at the Department’s homepage: www.uu.se/en/department/peace-and-conflict-research/study/phd-programme.

Under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks scheme, recruited doctoral candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary organization (here: Sweden) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

The application should be filed online at the web address given below, and shall include:

1) a completed application form for doctoral studies.  

2) a short personal letter (1-2 pages).  

3) CV.  

4) certified transcripts of academic records.

5) a project plan that fits within the theme of the advertised position (3-5 pages, excluding reference list). It is possible to submit two project plans if you are applying for both positions. 

6) letters of reference/recommendation (max 2 letters) OR a list of references (max 2) who can be contacted.

7) writing samples (1-3 samples).

8) indication of whether you are applying for 1) the position with a focus on institutional reform, violence, and democratic consolidation 2) the position with a focus on public support for political violence, or 3) both positions.
Please note that the project plan(s) submitted need to fit the position applied for. 

The application should preferably be in English. The application form for doctoral studies is available at the address below, along with detailed instructions for completing the application.

Through reference to the general syllabus for graduate studies, the applicant should first ensure that they meet the requirements for general or special eligibility for studies in the field of peace and conflict research at the post-graduate level. Full information is available here.  

Regulations concerning post-graduate students are to be found in the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5, §§1-7, and in the University’s rules and guidelines. The latter may be found at http://regler.uu.se.

Uppsala University aims for gender balance and diversity in all activities in order to achieve a higher quality at all levels of the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of any gender and with different birth background, functionality and life experience.

Pay: The position is fully funded. Local salary rules will apply.

Start date: 1 January 2027, or as otherwise agreed.

Working hours: 100 %

Further information about the position please contact: Desirée Nilsson (director of studies, DPCR PhD Program), email: phdprogramme@pcr.uu.se, or Hanne Fjelde (team leader of the UU node in DIViNE), email: hanne.fjelde@pcr.uu.se.

The deadline for the submission of applications is 9 November 2026. UFV-PA 2026/2962.