The International Dimensions and Effects of Populism (IDEoPOP)

The Center for International Studies (CERI) at Sciences Po Paris is seeking to appoint two PhD candidates to join European Union’s Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN).

Location: Paris, France with compulsory mobility inside the network
Duration of the contract: 3 years (1 March 2025 to 1 March 2028)

Expected topics for PhD dissertations

PhD 1: The impacts of populism on diplomatic policymaking PhD research objectives: Analyzing how populism impacts on leaders’ commitment in diplomacy, diplomatic services (diplomats) and political parties’ positions on diplomacy (both mainstream and populist parties). A special interest will be given to modelling why populist leaders speak loudly but act mainstream in diplomacy, analyzing relationships between populist leaders and professional diplomats.

PhD 2: The special relationships between populist parties in democracies and non-democratic governments abroad PhD research objectives: Analyzing the relations between populist parties (both far right and far left) in democracies with non-democratic states outside the national constituency. A special interest will be given to the relationships between populist parties in the EU and countries such as Russia, China and Venezuela.

About IDEoPOP

IDEoPOP offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral program imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided jointly by seven academic partners, where the PhD students are employed: University of Freiburg (Germany), Sciences Po Paris (France), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Bilkent University (Turkey), University of Genova (Italy), Jagiellonian University (Poland), and University of Bath (UK). Moreover, doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic and policy-relevant solutions to the challenges posed by populism in international politics via temporary assignments to renowned think tanks (Institute of International Relations Prague, International Youth Think Tank in Gothenburg, Institute for International Economic Relations in Athens, BRICS Policy Center in Rio de Janeiro, Stiftung Genshagen near Berlin, and Institut Jacques Delors in Paris).
The comprehensive training in IDEoPOP will prepare doctoral candidates for careers in academia, think tanks, government agencies, international organizations, or NGOs dealing with issues of democracy and international cooperation.

Requirements

We seek highly motivated early-stage researchers who hold a Master’s degree in Political Science or a related discipline and possess excellent theoretical and empirical skills. Proficiency in English is a requirement. Doctoral candidates’ recruitment is subject to the mobility rule. Applicants may be nationals of EU Member States, Associated Countries, or any other third country. Additionally, the applicant must not have lived or worked in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to their date of recruitment, excluding short stays such as holidays.

Applicants who hold a doctorate at the date of recruitment are ineligible.

The selected candidates should ideally begin their PhD enrolment/employment in March 2025.

Applications

You must submit your application online by Monday 2 December 2024.
The selection committee will only consider complete applications.
The PhD selected will join the Sciences Po School of Research program.
The conditions for applying for a doctorate at Sciences Po are available on the School of Research’s website.

Please note: you must include the following documents in your application:

• Choose the international relations doctoral program and indicate explicitely that you apply for the IDEoPOP scholarship ;
• A cover letter shorting describing motivation and research interests ;
• A research project in PDF or Word format describing how you would
  approach the PhD topic (2,000 to 5,000 words maximum);
• A summary of the thesis proposal (2 pages) in PDF or Word format;
• A CV summarizing education, academic work and, if relevant, publications ;
• An identity document;
• A copy of you Master degree;
• A PDF copy of your Master dissertation, if completed (even before defence);
• Two letters of recommendation.

Deadline

Applications must be sent before midnight on 2 December 2024
Candidates will be invited to a zoom interview conducted by a panel made up of professors from the International Relations Department School of Research, as well as a representative of the IDEoPOP Network.
 

Useful links & contact

More information about the Sciences Po doctoral school
More information about the positions, contact:
Professor Christian Lequesne, Email : christian.lequesne@sciencespo.fr